The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-03-28

If from thrse to four tons of beets can be
raised on one-eighth of an acre of land it will
not be difficult to raise fifteen tons on whole
acre, and this is In reality fair crop. What
will yield them $50 gross income from one acre,
or at least $50 net? But beside the $50 cash
crop from the acre. the farmer will have from
four to five tons tops and leaves, which form a
most excellent feed for cattle and are worth
more than the average crop of hay from one
acre. .t r.
We understand the steps taken by Mr..
Ernest hkGennert are not only to have
sugar factory In Portland by the first of Octo-
Der, but to lay out the farm work in such a
way as to effectually bring in the whole state
into the enterprise, to- judge where the best
beets can be produced in the state of Maine. It
is more than likely that where the first drying
apparatus is set up, there will be the first
sugar factories to follow the one in Portland.
The plan now is to contract with farmers for
the cultivation and delivery of sugar beets In
any part Of the state where at least 100 acres
can be procured around any centre of COM
municstion; such beets to be delivered as re-
quired between the middle of September and
the middle of November, the beets to be paid
for at the rate of S4 per ton. Seed will bo for
nished to farmers at the cost price OF the same,
which is between IL and 20 cents per pound,
brought in account when the crop is delivered.
Scientific farmers who are experts in the culu-
walton of sugar beets, will assist the farmers
with practical advice during the time of plant
luS duu CuitiNdtiuu. Win every lub VI octu
will go printed pamphlets, giving all the in-
structions necessary, and in fact every precsu-
tiou will be taken to secure, even during the
first year, the best possible result to our farm
ers.
AS it is not desirable that any farmer should
cultivate the first year more than three or four
acres, aud many will raise from one to two
acres only. it will require from 30 to
40 farmers in any neighborhood where dry
ing establishment. is to be located; it is aivisa-
BILE that some of the EST known farmers should
take the matter in hana ana lead on. but
even in places where not enC"gn oee,s can pc
contracted for drying purposes, seeo wiz Ds
furnlsned to farmers for experimen. - p,oYlueu
the farmers obligate themselves to sen SAM
pies of beets raised, for analysis and al swer
the questions asked in printed form, in order 70
make up complete statistics for the whole state,
even In the first year. An expert chemist
will be employed for this purpose, for which
Mr. q. has brought with him from Europe
complete set of scientific instruments.
The different varieties of beet seed which
have already arrived in this country, are for
both lighter and heavier soil, but it need hard
ly be stated that any land which will produce
good barley. will produce first class sugar
beets.
We understand that the contracts will be
ready to be sent to farmers who wish to take
any active part 10 this important matter within
few days, and in the meantime Mr.. Gennert,
who stays at the Falmouth Hotel, will give any
inform alton farmers may ask for.
SUGAR BEET.