INDIRECT BENEFITS OF SUGAR-BEET CULTURE. 17 



KEPORTS FROM AMERICAN SUGAR-BEET GROWERS, SHOWING INCREASED YIELD OP 

 OTHER CROPS BY REASON OP BEING ROTATED WITH SUGAR BEETS. 



OHIO. 



We are well satisfied in raising other crops where we had beets before. We always 

 raise better crops on our beet ground than on our other ground. We have had sugar 

 beets four years and always find satisfaction. We started with 3 acres and this year 

 12 acres. We raised wheat, oats, barley, and corn. (Tony Bast, Graytown, R. F. 

 D., 17.) 



We are now raising our sixth consecutive crop of sugar beets. When we planted 

 the first seed we were told that the beets would wear out the soil; that the sugar com- 

 pany were swindlers and would compel the farmers to pit the beets till winter; that jf 

 the beets were frostbitten they would be worthless. We have yearly realized from 

 $50 to $75 per acre for the beets and, moreover, with experience we are ready to state 

 that we always grow one-third more oats or barley on ground where beets were raised 

 the previous year than on ground that has raised no beets. (Jos. Shiple & Sons, 

 Perrysburg.) 



'V ; - MICHIGAN. 



I wish to say that I have grown sugar beets for the last three years and I can truth- 

 fully say that the growing of sugar beets is a benefit to the soil if the crop is given 

 proper rotation. I have received the best results by following the crop with a crop of 

 oats. This season (1909) I thrashed from 5 acres of measured ground, which was in 

 sugar beets last season, 270 bushels of oats, or an average of 54 bushels per acre. The 

 balance of my oat crop which was on ground following a corn crop (equally as good soil) 

 is yielding about 40 bushels per acre. Therefore I feel that I am justified in making 

 this statement. (Alex. Larkms, Carleton.) 



I have raised beets for the last seven years and have averaged about 16 tons per 

 acre. I also find that oats will do better on the ground where I raise beets than they 

 will on other ground. This year the oats on my beet ground produced 75 bushels per 

 acre, while the others only produced about 60 bushels per acre. (Sam Seizert, 

 Blissfield.) 



In regard to beet culture, I wish to say that I have raised sugar beets for six years 

 and consider it one of the most profitable crops that a farmer can raise. Not only 

 because he gets the greater return for his labor, when they are properly cared for, but 

 because the ground is left in the best possible condition for the next crop, for since 

 raising sugar beets my land has been gradually increasing her yield per acre. The 

 increase in yield of oats has been from 15 to 25 per cent, or from 40. or 45 to 55 bushels 

 per acre, and on wheat the increase has been about the same. When I have raised 

 beets two consecutive years on the same piece of ground and then sowed oats they 

 were extra. We as farmers are satisfied that we get better crops since raising beets. 

 (S. S. Teed, Middleton.) > 



In regard to the condition of ground that beets have been grown on, will say that 

 I have grown beets quite extensively and find that it is an improvement rather than 

 a detriment to the soil. In 19.01 1 grew 2 acres of beets; went about 18 tons per acre; 

 followed with beets, besides adding 29 acres, making 31 acres for 1902, average 

 yield, about 11 J tons. Out of 31 acres, 17 acres to beans following, yielding 14 bushels- 

 per acre. Same 12 acres to wheat yielding 37 bushels per acre, following with the 

 biggest crop of hay ever cut in the neighborhood, and 5 acres of 17-acre bean ground 

 went to oats the following spring, yielding 53 bushels besides one-third loss on account 

 of being lodged, average for year in neighborhood being about 27 bushels. In 1904 

 had 2 acres of beets, yielding about 9 tons, following with oats yielding 45 bushels 

 per acre; average in neighborhood, about 30 bushels per acre. In 1905 had 40 acres 

 of beets, 8 tons; following 8 acres to beets again, yielding about 10 tons second year; 

 following next with oats yielding 51 bushels per acre. Balance of 40 acres, 12 acres 

 went to beans; balance of 20 acres were sown to oats, yielding about 47 bushels per 

 acre; following same with wheat, yielding about 28 bushels, when average in neigh- 

 borhood was about 13 bushels. In 1906, had 14 acres to beets, about 10 tons yield, 

 following same with 14 acres to oats, yielding about 47 bushels per acre; then to 

 wheat, yielding 28 bushels per acre; average for wheat that year in neighborhood 

 about 13 bushels per acre. In 1907 had 17 acres in beets, average about 11 tons. Of 

 17 acres 3 acres went to oats, and seeded 6 acres to beets again, yielding about the same, 

 and balance of 17 acres, or 8 acres, went to oats, yielding 68 bushels per acre; then to 

 wheat, yielding this year 38 bushels per acre, and good seeding in sight. In 1908 had 

 15 acres of beets, about 10 tons average yield; 12 acres now to oats with a prospect for 



S. Doc. 76, 62-1 2 



