91 



SUGAR BEETS AT THIS STATION IN 1891. 



A piece of land of very nearly 2 acres was set apart in the spring for sugar beets. 

 The plot slopes somewhat to the west, and is light clayey loam, becoming more 

 sandy at the east end. As a consequence, the eastern portion is considerably drier 

 and would suffer more in case of a drought, which also proved true during the past 

 season, as the summer of 1891 was exceedingly dry. The meteorological data for 

 this place for the months May-October, inclusive, are given in the following table. 

 For the sake of comparison the total rainfall for the same months last year, and also 

 the normal rainfall (average for two years) are given in the table. 



Meteorological data May to October, 1891, for Madison, Wi&.* 

 RAINFALL IN INCHES. 



* From Observations made at Wasliburn Observatory. 

 TEMPERATURE F. 



It will be noticed that the precipitation for 1891 for the summer mouths was only 

 11.02 inches, or about half of normal and less than half of last year's, during the 

 same months. Up to July 7 the prospects for a large yield were most promising. Be- 

 tween July 7 and August 26 there was not more than one good rain, and as a result 

 the beets suffered greatly from the drought from this time on. August, September, 

 and October all being very dry, the growth of the beets was checked, and a small 

 yield of beets, to some extent abnormally rich in sugar, was the result. May, July, 

 August, and October were colder than the normal, while September was considerably 

 warmer. With a proper supply of moisture there is, however, little doubt but what 

 a good crop of beets would have been harvested. 



