— 50 — 
of their summers. It may be possible to grow there two 
crops of beets — an early one and a late one. That will be 
tried this year, since the company advises the farmers to 
plant a part of their beet seed early and the remainder 
between June 15 and July 20. There is a large amount of 
gypsum in the soils there, and the lime rock crops out on 
the surface over large areas. The winters are mild and 
the records show at times high ranges of temperature in 
May, June, July and August. The average precipitation 
there is about 13 inches, but in 1897 it was 15.5 inches. The 
records show peculiar conditions — the rainy months being 
July, August, September and October. May is generally a 
dry month; in June there is more moisture. The record at 
Eddy for three years shows no precipitation in March, and 
very little in April, or November- The dry months are 
November to June inclusive. 
COST OF GROWING SUGAR BEETS. 
The investigation as to the cost to the farmers of grow- 
ing the sugar beets has been very thorough. It covers the 
personal experience of 1 16 farmers, growingbeets for the Nor- 
folk factory, and also a large number around Grand Island 
and Lehi. It involves the question of labor, machinery, 
land rental, distance from factory, etc. In all cases the 
data cover all details from seed to delivery at the factory. 
The land rental is also included in each instance, whether 
the grower owns the land or is a tenant. The yield was 
obtained for 1897 3.nd also for other years when pos- 
sible, and the data enable us to figure the cost per acre and 
per ton, with the profit or loss. The figures obtained cover 
no allowance for cost of fertilizers, nor for profit on the beet 
tops, leaves and pulp. It was assumed that with our syste- 
matic crop rotation and alfalfa fertilizing in Colorado, the 
soil would ordinarily be rich enough. 
In considering the figures obtained, we must remember 
that the beet crop of 1897 in Nebraska and Utah was only 
about sixty per cent of the ordinary yield, while in New 
Mexico the results did not warrant making any figures on 
cost of production. A larger tonnage would increase the 
cost per acre of topping and delivery to the factory. In 
general, however, the grower overestimates his yield, in 
giving the figures for 1897. ^ human tendency he 
may forget to mention some items of expense, or under- 
value them. Where the factory does not receive all the beets 
before freezing weather, there is certain labor in putting the 
beets into pits, or silos, with a later uncovering and rehand- 
