92o Sugar Beet Industry on the Continent, [feb., 



members. In this connection it must be remembered that 

 the average American farmer is frequently unacquainted with 

 the elementary facts connected with the rotation of crops and 

 manuring, which seem to the British farmer inseparable 

 from ordinary agricultural practice. There is, consequently, 

 a wide field for the energies of the Congress in the direction 

 of spreading a knowledge of the rudimentary principles of 

 good farming. 



In continuation of the article on the cultivation of the 

 sugar beet in last month's Journal, a memorandum drawn 

 up at the Netherlands Department of 

 Sugar Beet Industry Agriculture, Industry, and Com- 



on the Continent. merce, transmitted by Lord Acton, 

 First Secretary to the British Ministry 

 at The Hague, furnishes some interesting particulars. 

 Twenty-nine beetroot sugar factories were in operation in 

 the Netherlands in 1909, and dealt with the yield of 

 136,000 acres. The beetroots are delivered by the farmers 

 to the nearest canal or railway station. The prices have 

 ranged from 17s. a ton in 1906 to a maximum of 22s. a ton 

 in 1910. In 1909 the pulp was sold for 55. nd. per ton if 

 delivered free at the place of destination, and 4s. 8d. per ton 

 if fetched from the factory by the purchaser. 



The cost of some of the operations connected with cultiva- 

 tion and delivery is given as follows : — 



Sowing sugar beet, about is. ^.d. per acre. 

 Weeding, thinning, &c, about £1 per acre. 

 Lifting, about £1 to £1 6s. 8d. per acre. 

 Loading into waggons or boats, about 3d. per ton. 

 Harbour dues, about 3JJ. per ton. 



The wages vary with the season, but are largely made up 

 of piece-work. The average in South Holland is said to 

 be about ^33 a year for an ordinary labourer. Rent may be 

 put at approximately 45s. to 50s. per acre on a seven-year 

 lease, but this covers the payment by the landlord of polder 

 and other dues, which are considerable. The State land tax 

 of 6 per cent, on the estimated rent is also paid by the owner. 

 Local land taxes do not exist, and agriculture is exempt from 

 the State tax on professional incomes. 



