234 The Sugar-Beet in America 
ing that more care has been taken than could be reasonably 
expected in ordinary farm practice. Often such costs as 
land rent and depreciation of machinery are omitted 
entirely. Estimates from farmers are usually unsatis- 
factory because very few keep accurate accounts of the 
various small items. Reports from farmers, in order to 
be reliable, must be taken systematically and carefully, 
and the number of farmers interviewed must be large if 
error is to be reduced to a minimum. 
Except for general study, it is imperative that all con- 
ditions be given in order that a true interpretation can 
be made, since cost of labor, nature of soil, efficiency in 
work, thoroughness of method, and numerous other 
factors vary so much that general estimates are of little 
value. Many of the figures available are for only one 
season, and it is well known that costs and yields vary 
greatly with the year. 
COST OF GROWING IN VARIOUS SECTIONS 
When averages of a large number of growers are taken, 
the cost of producing beets is nearly equal to the price 
received for them, all factors being considered. A slight 
profit would be expected if the true averages were available, 
because in general the farmers of the older beet-growing 
sections consider the crop worth while. The profitable- 
ness of a crop is usually indicated by the readiness with 
which the farmers grow it; and farmers are usually glad 
to raise beets. 
The Federal Trade Commission in 1917 made a “Re- 
port on the Beet Sugar Industry in the United States.” 
