The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-02-03
AGRICULTURAL.
udlu6 Tar utI.
ID isp0sitisn of Beet Pulp.

Disposition of Beet Pulp.
The subject of the utilization of beet pulp
has formed main feature in the discussion
of the beet sugar question, and the estab
lishment of that industry in our State. 1t
has been claimed for the pulp that it is OF
very great value as a cattle feed, and that its
utilization by tho farmer who has large
stock of cattle, sheep and hogs, is the point
on which turns larger margin of profit to
those who grow beets, while its use is an
inducement for farmers to engage in their
cultivation for the sugar factories, on large
scale. 1t Is well understood that in Euro.
pean countries where the beet sugar industry
is well established the pulp is regarded as of
great value as cattle feed, and is kept in
earth-pits for winter use-and it is urged as
point in favor of the erection of the raw
sugar factory ia Aroostook county, that the
pulp could be returned directly to the farm
ers, who could feed it out in winter to store
cattle, hogs and sheep.
In his work on the Manufacture OF Beet
Sugar, DR.. William Cooks gives the chapter
on the use of the pulp, from which one
would obtain the impression that it is not
of SO great value as feeding stuff as many
accounts would lead us to suppose. While
the results of several analyses prove that the
pulp contains thirty per cent of dry feeding
matter; that an appreciate amount of sugar
is retained in it, and that it contains con-
siderable proportion of albuminous OF flesh
producing matters-it is also stated, on the
authority of DR., Voelcker, that ton of the
pulp is worth as much for feeding purposes
as ton and half of the roots-not four tons
as some have said-Dr. Crooks says that "for
the requirements of the English meat market,
it would not be possible to get fattening
beasts in a sufficiently good condition by
feeding them exclusively upon pulp" Corn
or bean meal, or cotton-seed cake should be
mixed with the pulp, not only to make up
for the deficiency of flesh producing matters
in the pulp but to counterfeit its tendency to
scour. 1t is well to get at this testimony,
carrying as it does, high authority with it,
upon this subject, from English sources.
When the Maine Beet Sugar Company
commenced operations last fall they an
nounced 10 all farmers that they could have
the pulp at the merely nominal price of
$3.50 per ton-barely sufficient to pay for
transportation. Among those parties to
whom the pulp was forwarded were the fol-
lowing: Gen. G. P. Mattocks, j. Winslow
Jones, Esq, and Hon. Charles E. Jose. Port
land; w. W. Harris. Cumberland; Superin-
tendent of Reform School, Cape Elizabeth !;
Morrison & Morse, Skowhegan; Alfred
Berry, Unity; A. w. Clarke, Fairfield; FL. A.
Penney, Pishon's Ferry; B. F. Milikin,
Bridgton, and N. E. Murray, Bridgton.
Wishing to obtain the results of the feeding
OF the pulp, we addressed letter of inquiry
to each OF them, asking in what way and to
what animals 1t was fed, and with what re-
suits. Replies were received from most of
these gentlemen, from some at considerable
length. 1t was to be expected that from
many the responses would be unfavorable.
The pulp had to be transported long dis
tances; it was left exposed to the atmosphere
and consequen fly deprecated; and from not
having suitable places in which to store it
(keeping it from the air) it became in short
time unfit for use. What is necessary for its
most economical consumption, is that pits be
construct ed for its preservation. into which
the pulp may be placed where ii can be ex-
cluded from the air, and fed out as wanted
during the winter. We have arranged sew
eral extracts from these letter, to we invite
the attention of those having any interest in
this matter:
Your letter in regard to beet pulp was
duly received. I will give you what little in
formation can in regard to it. l live about
five miles from the mandatory. The COM
paDy sent word for me to take
what 1 wanted and allow them what l
thought it was worth. / thought it might be
worth something for manure, if it failed as
feed for stock. The first that I hauled was
very good, and commenced feeding it to
my hogs, cattle and sheep. For the hogs I
boiled it the same as should potatoes; then
while hot mixed about a peck of meal and
about half bushel of wheat bran to about
ten bushels of boiled beet pulp, and feed it
hot every time. find that my store hogs
do very well indeed on it, and seemed to like
it. For my sheep and cattle tip a load in
my barn floor, and as 1 want it to feed mix
shorts and meal with it and feed it twice a
day. They have to be educated to like it,
but after they get accustomed to it, an OK
will eat about half bushel to feed pre-
pared as above stated; sheep and COWS in
proportion. What have hauled lately has
been poor and worth nothing except tor
manure, owing to dirt and sand having been
shoveled up with ii at the factory. When
they manufacture the dried beet they have
on hand, snail endeavor to secure some of
1t fresh and clean and I think it will be worth
and perhaps it can he kept through the
winter. The way am saving it for winter
use is to dig trench n sandy ground about
two feet deep and six feet wide, any length
that may be desired. 1 then set posts around
the edge of the pit and board over the sides
and bottom to keep the dirt out. then, as
l fill up, run the fence to about six feet
high from the bottom of the pit, banking it
up with the dirt that comes from the pit,
treading the pupiE solid, as you fill, to pre-
vent heating. have then simply covered
the top with boards to keep the wet off. I
think this will preserve it through the win
ter. will give you a report on it next
spring.
think it can be used as feed for stock to
considerable extent, but at the present low
price of corn and bran it will not pay for
transportation long distances. Some of my
neighbors have tried It, but have had no sue
cess with it. My milking cows have seemed
to do well on it since they have learned to
eat it. Yours very truly,
Portland. j. WNsLow JONES.
In reply to your inquiries I have to say, l
had car load or sheet pulp" Press of fall
work drove me to make the shortest or quick
est disposition of it, and l spread on my barn
floor, shoveling over every day. In this way
L Kept 1t for some time in good condition,
and my cows enjoyed it and ate it with
coed relish; but after a while it became
somewhat sour, and of course unfit for them.
MY store pigs have lived on it entirely. l
meal with it and think it a good feed for
them; at any rate they are growing finely.
From my experience with this first trial I
think well of it and will be snre to have bet
ter facilities for storage next time. II kept
from the air il can be kept in good condition
any length of time. This may be done by
'pitting' in the ground or in an alright
compartment In the barn cellar or other wise.
Should the beet sugar business succeed, as I
trust it may, the beet pulp will be regarded
OF sufficient importance to make provisions
for its storage. There is no doubt that 1t is a
valuable feed for cattle and pigs.
Yours truly,
Cumberland. w. w. HARRIS.
When the pulp came to hand it was in a
state of fermentation and was pronounced
bad. Still the farmers tried some of it both
for cattle and hogs. When meal was mixed
with il, cattle would eat; but they would not
eat 1t alone. Hogs would eat 1t without meal
being mixed with 1t if kept short and hungry.
Ii 1t could be kept sweet it could be readily
usad=hoN nrnfitahTu we cannot tell as we