46 



Experiments with Sugar-Beet. [april, 



Purity of juice is the per cent, of sugar in the dry matter of 

 the juice ; thus if a sample is found to give on analysis 20 per 

 cent, of total solids and 16 per cent, sugar in the juice, then 

 four-fifths or 80 per cent, of the total dry matter in the juice is 

 sugar and the purity co-efficient is 80. 



It has been found, as the result of much investigation on the 

 Continent and in the United States, that small roots contain the 

 highest percentage of sugar, and are best adapted for manipula- 

 tion in the factory. This is confirmed by experience in Essex. 

 It is in the best interest of both producer and manufacturer to 

 grow average crops of small beet with a high percentage of 

 sugar and a pure juice. 



The beet was planted closer together than ordinary mangel. 

 At Maplestead, for example, they were grown on the flat in rows 

 II in. apart and set out at about 8 in., and a good crop of small 

 roots was obtained, containing the highest percentage of sugar. 

 This is, however, too close for the production of properly 

 matured roots on this class of land, and rows 18 or 20 in. 

 apart will probably be found to answer best. 



The following table gives the average yield per acre, per 

 cent, sugar in the beet, and purity of the juice (excluding red 

 top variety) : — 



Centre. 



Yield per acre, 



Per cent. Sugar 



Purity co-efficient of 



tons. 



in Beet. 



Juice. 



Maplestead 



I4'5 



17-4 



85-0 



Chelmsford ... 



20*5 



17-3 



85-0 



Yeldham 



207 



17-1 



84-3 



St. Osyth 



io'9 



i6-2 



857 



Great Stambridge 



25-0 



15-5 



83-5 



Average for all Centres 



i8-3 



167 



847 



At each place a variety known as red top sugar-beet 

 was grown. In its habits this variety is altogether unlike the 

 others and closely resembles samples of sugar-mangel. The 

 average yield of this variety is 24*5 tons per acre, showing on 

 analysis 11 '8 per cent, sugar and 79-2 purity. 



The Klein Wanzleben varieties gave slightly the highest 

 percentage of sugar and a good juice in every case. 



In connection with the above experiments, some observations 

 by Dr. Voelcker in his report to the Royal Agricultural Society 



