52 BULLETIN 121, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUKE. 



and properly topped roots. It differs in different localities and 

 recently has been increased, owing to the high price of sugar. 



Sliding scale. — The second form of contract so far as the price of 

 the beet roots is concerned is the so-called sliding scale. The other 

 features in the contract, aside from the price to be paid for the 

 beets, are usuallj^ the same as in the fiat-rate contract. The sliding 

 scale of beet prices is based either upon the percentage of sugar in 

 the beet or upon the market price of sugar at a given time and place, 

 or it is based upon a combination of the sugar in the beet and the 

 price of sugar. In those contracts in which the scale of prices for 

 beets depends upon the sugar content of the beet root there is a 

 minimum price jDer ton for a beet of a given quality and an in- 

 creased price per ton for each per cent or fraction of a per cent of 

 sugar in the beet above the minimum. The minimum price and the 

 minimum quality of the root agreed upon differ in different locali- 

 ties, but are definitely stated in the contract. The rate of increase 

 also varies in different localities; for example, one sugar company 

 may agree to pay a minimum price of $4.50 per ton for beets testing 

 12 per cent sugar, while another company may agree to pay a mini- 

 mum price of $5 per ton for a minimum of 14 per cent sugar content. 

 They may also agree to increase the price 25 cents or 33^ cents per 

 ton for each per cent of sugar above the minimum. 



The price scale for beets, based upon the market price of sugar, 

 was in use in several localities for the first time in 1917. In these 

 contracts the price of sugar at a given time and for a definite, stated 

 period is taken as the basis. If the price of sugar at the place and 

 for the time specified is $6 per hundred, for example, iho, price paid 

 for the beets will be $6 per ton or $7 per ton, as may be agreed upon 

 and specified in the contract. Usually a minimum price to be paid 

 for the roots is stated in the contract. This would seem to be an 

 equitable arrangement, since the greatest profit to the grower and 

 to the sugar company would result when the price of sugar is high, 

 and both would share the smaller profit or the loss when the price of 

 sugar is low. 



Profit sharing. — In the profit-sharing contract the grower is guar- 

 anteed a fixed minimum price for beets, the sugar companies to accept 

 a minimum price for sugar, which presumably will give the grower 

 and the sugar company approximately the same profit per ton of 

 beets. It is further agreed that all profits in excess of the amounts 

 above mentioned shall be divided equally between the grower and 

 the sugar company. In areas where this contract is offered the 

 grower, a flat-rate contract is available, if desired. 



Tare. — One of the important factors in handling beets is that of 

 tare, and it forms an important clause in the contract. Tare con- 

 sists of two distinct parts, one of which is the dirt which clings to the 



