THE BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 9 



This problem may be solved by utilizing some practical means of 

 drying the beet roots. It is possible to reduce the weight of the root 

 by about 75 per cent without changing the quality or lessening the 

 quantity of sugar present. If this can be done with sufficient rapidity 

 and at a sufficiently low cost it will be possible to handle to advantage 

 the product of many small valleys and other limited areas. A sugar 

 mill can not be financially successful under normal conditions unless 

 it is supplied with a sufficient quantity of raw material to produce a 

 run of approximately . 100 days each year, and it is desirable that a 

 considerable part of the supply be within wagon haul of the mill. 

 Any factor which reduces the working capacity or the operating time 

 of a sugar mill increases the cost of production of the sugar. The 

 small valleys mentioned above are sometimes used to supplement the 

 beet crop produced in other sections provided the hauling distance 

 by wagon or rail is not too great. 



Hills. — Generally a hilly country is not satisfactory for sugar-beet 

 culture, especially if the- hills are inclined to wash. The nature of 

 the soil of the hills is an important factor in determining whether 

 sugar beets can be grown. Hauling heavy loads in a hilly country is 

 also a matter of serious consideration. Usually from 3 to 5 tons of 

 beets are hauled at each load, and if hills must be climbed the loads 

 must necessarily be reduced and the cost of hauling consequently 

 increased. This in itself may be a limiting factor in the production 

 of sugar beets in some otherwise favorable sugar-beet, areas. 



Level Icmd. — In irrigated countries it is desirable that the surface 

 of the soil be sufficiently level to permit uniform irrigation. An ex- 

 tremely level area, however, is objectionable because of the difficulty 

 in spreading the water over the entire field with sufficient rapidity. 

 This is especially objectionable in the case of sugar beets, which 

 should be watered between the rows only, as shown in Plate I, figure 

 2. Again when the land, especially in irrigated sections, is very 

 level alkali frequently appears on the surface after repeated irriga- 

 tions. Sugar beets will tolerate a small amount of alkali, but all crops 

 are injured by excessive quantities of alkali in the soil, especially 

 when the plants are young and tender. 



Rolling. — Other things being equal moderately rolling land is 

 more desirable for sugar-beet culture than either extremely hilly or 

 very level areas. This is especially true in those sections where sugar 

 beets are produced under rainfall conditions. In irrigated sections 

 rolling land is not as desirable unless the topography of the country 

 is such that the area under cultivation can be irrigated readily. Under 

 irrigation conditions it is desirable that the land have an even 

 surface with a gentle slope of at least Y feet to the mile. If the slope 

 is too marked the irrigation water passes over it too rapidly unless 

 special care is taken in applying the water. 

 63212°~18— Bull. 721 2 



