GROWING SUGAR BEETS IN UTAH AND IDAHO. 3 
to offering suggestions for a few districts where the beet growers 
were experiencing difficulty in producing satisfactory yields. Sub- 
sequently it was felt that information of this character would be of 
value in planning agronomic experiments that would have a direct 
bearing upon some of the more urgent problems engaging tne atten- 
tion of the beet grower. The field practice of one district has fea- 
tures which can be adopted with profit in another, and if enough 
farms are studied many general questions with reference to soil and 
crop management can be answered. This project was organized 
not only for the acquirement of information relating to the produc- 
tion of sugar beets, but it was also developed in such a way as to 
provide growers with an adequate statement concerning the labor 
requirements of the crop. With these data available, a fair average 
cost of producing sugar beets in these three districts has been 
determined. 
In working out the cost figures, the man labor was calculated 
by using an average rate per hour, the latter being based upon the 
actual wages paid in 1914 and 1915. In order to place all records on 
the same basis, no account has been taken of the compensation for 
supervision of the farm business. The work of each operator has 
been charged against the crop as if some person had been hired to 
do each task. Likewise, the horse-labor cost was computed on the 
basis of the average price paid by farmers in the respective districts. 
Costs reported are applicable to the years 1914 and 1915. In 
order to bring the various items down to date, the hours of man and 
horse labor should be multiplied by the prevailing man and horse 
rates; likewise, necessary changes should be made where increases 
or decreases have occurred in cost of materials, use of land, or other 
costs. 
PROCEDURE. 
The survey method was adopted in procuring the records that 
supply the data for this discussion. A schedule was prepared to 
meet the requirements of the investigation, and these blanks were 
used by well-trained enumerators who visited the grower and obtained 
careful estimates covering the business of the farm for the preceding 
year. The operator was also asked to describe the implements that 
were employed in handling the beet crop. Furthermore, statements 
were obtained concerning the size of the crew and the normal time 
required in performing the various operations. The individual record 
was therefore compiled by setting down answers to a series of ques- 
tions dealing particularly with the problems of sugar-beet production. 
Although very few men keep actual records of the daily work on the 
farm or of the business transactions which are made from time to 
