YIELD AND COST OF CULTIVATIOIf. 199 



We visited several farms in the northern portion of 

 France, the most important in the arrondissement of 

 Cambrai, where several figures were given us; we 

 took an average of the same. 



Average. 

 Rent of one hectare of land") 



Taxes " " " f • '^^ ^° '^^ = $8 20 



Ploughing and harrowing . . 52 to 64= 11 60 



Manures 100 to 130= 23 00 



Seed , . 6 to 8 = 1 40 



Weeding and hoeing . . . 76 to 82 = 15 80 



Harvesting, transportation, etc. . 40 to 50 = 9 00 



'314 to '376 = $69 00 



If we suppose a yield of 30,000 kilog. to the hec- 

 tare, we would then have roots at $2.30 ; but we were 

 told that 60,000 kilog. is most common ; this would 

 then greatly diminish the same, as the cost per ton 

 would then be f 1.15. No more care or material is re- 

 quired for a high than a low yield. The seed repre- 

 sented in the above has been grown by the farmers, 

 otherwise the cost of the same would be somewhat aug- 

 mented. In France the average value of beets in 1876 

 was $3.00 per ton. This is not far from the general 

 price or average for the last thirty years, including 

 fluctuations, where in one special case $8.00 was paid, 

 and yet the roots were worked with profit. 



Several items we have not as yet taken into consid- 

 eration are, that, if the leaves, necks, ends, etc., of the 

 roots are permitted to remain on the ground, they will 

 represent about 20,000 kilog., and be worth $14.00 as 

 fertilizer for the following year. 



