88 



uniformly rich in quality, and if they truly represent the capabilities of 

 the State, there certainly is a bright future for the beet-sugar industry on 

 that portion of the Pacific coast. 



SUGAR BEETS AT OREGON EXPERIMENTAL STATION. 



Experiments were conducted by the Experiment Station of Oregon during the year 

 1891 on the culture of sugar beets and the analysis thereof, and the results obtained 

 are issued in Bulletin No. 17 of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. 



The standard varieties of sugar-beet seed were obtained and distributed to fanners 

 in different parts of the State. A circular showing the best methods of cultivation 

 was also sent out with the beets for the guidance of the farmers. Accompanying the 

 report is a valuable contribution to the study of the climate and soil of the State in 

 regard to the production of the sugar beet, and that portion of the State which is 

 supposed to be most favorable to it is marked on a map. Tables showing the amount 

 of rainfall in different parts of the State are also given. It is noticed that, in gen- 

 eral, the spring rains lasted until quite late, thereby causing delay in the time ot 

 planting. Almost the whole of the planting was done in May, while in ordinary 

 seasons a good portion of it cojild have been accomplished in April. 



The number of samples analyzed was 95. The results are certainly encouraging 

 and show that the sugar beet has great possibilities in the State. The report was 

 prepared by G. W. Shaw, chemist, and Dumont Lotz, assistant chemist. In the con- 

 clusions which they draw from the analyses they sta te that the investigations have 

 progressed far enough to iudicate that there are sections in the State naturally 

 adapted to the culture of the sugar beet, and these sections are noticed by shaded 

 lines on the map. It is not suggested that the farmers should give up other crops to 

 grow sugar beets, but that they should combine beet growing with the regular farm 

 work. 



An extended plan for experiments to be made in 1892 is :ilso given. 



The mean data from the analyses reported are as follows : 



Average weight of beets in grams *608. 50 



Per cent sucrose in j uice . 13. 75 



Purity coefficient 77. 57 



Pennsylvania. Seven samples, showing an average content of 13.29 

 of sugar and an average weight of 22 ounces, were received. Five 

 counties were represented. The highest result was obtained from Butler 

 County, one sample showing 15.53 per cent of sugar and weighing 17 

 ounces. Lackawanna County, with two samples, showed a sugar content 

 of 15.51 and an average weight of 18 ounces. The results from Penn- 

 sylvania are also of a most encouraging nature, although the number of 

 samples is entirely too small to enter into a general comparison. 



South Dakota. Two hundred and two samples were received from the 

 State of South Dakota, showing an average content of sugar of 12.45 

 and an average weight of 22 ounces. Forty-five counties furnished 

 samples, of which Brown Conn ty furnished forty-nine, showing an average 

 content of 12.76 of sugar and an average weight of 17 ounces. The 

 county furnishing the next largest number of samples was Lake, from 

 wliich twenty-nine samples were received, showing an average content 

 of 11.04 of sugar and an average weight of 23 ounces. The richest 



* Ex eluding one beet weighing 10 pounds. 



