THE BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 9 
This problem may be solved by utilizing some practical means of 
drying the beet roots. It is possible to reduce the weight of the root 
by about 75 per cent without changing the quality or lessening the 
quantity of sugar present. If this can be done with sufficient rapidity 
and at a sufficiently low cost it will be possible to handle to advantage 
the product of many small valleys and other limited areas. A sugar 
mill can not be financially successful under normal conditions unless 
it is supplied with a sufficient quantity of raw material to produce a 
run of approximately 100 days each year, and it is desirable that a 
considerable part of the supply be within wagon haul of the mill. 
Any factor which reduces the working capacity or the operating time 
of a sugar mill increases the cost of production of the sugar. The 
small valleys mentioned above are sometimes used to supplement the 
beet crop produced in other sections provided the hauling distance 
by wagon or rail is not too great. 
Hills. — Generally a hilly country is not satisfactory for sugar-beet 
culture, especially if the hills are inclined to wash. The nature of 
the soil of the hills is an important factor in determining whether 
sugar beets can be grown. Hauling heavy loads in a hilly country is 
also a matter of serious consideration. Usually from 3 to 5 tons of 
beets are hauled at each load, and if hills must be climbed the loads 
must necessarily be reduced and the cost of hauling consequently 
increased. This in itself may be a limiting factor in the production 
of sugar beets in some otherwise favorable sugar-beet areas. 
Level lemd. — In irrigated countries it is desirable that the surface 
of the soil be sufficiently level to permit uniform irrigation. An ex- 
tremely level area, however, is objectionable because of the difficulty 
in spreading the water over the entire field with sufficient rapidity. 
This is especially objectionable in the case of sugar beets, which 
should be watered between the rows only, as shown in Plate I, figure 
2. Again when the land, especially in irrigated sections, is very 
level alkali frequently appears on the surface after repeated irriga- 
tions. Sugar beets will tolerate a small amount of alkali, but all crops 
are injured by excessive quantities of alkali in the soil, especially 
when the plants are young and tender. 
Rolling. — Other things being equal moderately rolling land is 
more desirable for sugar-beet culture than either extremely hilly or 
very level areas. This is especially true in those sections where sugar 
beets are produced under rainfall conditions. In irrigated sections 
rolling land is not as desirable unless the topography of the country 
is such that the area under cultivation can be irrigated readily. Under 
irrigation conditions it is desirable that the land have an even 
surface with a gentle slope of at least 7 feet to the mile. If the slope 
is too marked the irrigation water passes over it too rapidly unless 
special care is taken in applying the water. 
63212°— IS— Bull. 721 2 
