The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-01-08

permeable by the air and moisture; are no,
readily affected by drought, and offer but little
resistance to the downward growth of the root
Heavy clayey Soils OF which Nebraska has but
very little. new and rich soils that are underlsd
ny q stratum that does not permit the surplus
water to drain off readily are not well adapted
to the production of beets for sugar. An exa-
mination OF the tables Of analysis made by Prof
NlchOlSOn shows that the best results have been
obtained from experiments made in the central
ana western parts Of the State, where the soil is
lighter than In the eastern part-more of sandy
loam. These facts recommend that for next
year, planting the farmer should put his beet
s s on me OLD, cultivated lighter soils, rather
imam on his new ground and they should remem-
to be a success.
Commissioner Jenkins said that the proper
time to plant the seed was as early in the spring
as the temperature of the soil reached 400, and
they should be left in the ground until they were
mined by the leaves turning yellow or by tap
ding the beet with stick. II it sounded as if it
ripe it was well to pun them a little, SO as to
break the roots and thus prevent a second
growth, as that was ruinous to the saccharine
matter; or, what was equally as good, pillow them
up. They could then be left on the ground until
time to market them, unless frost or rain was
threatened, when they should be housed
HOW TO PLANT THE SEED.
tits not necessary to plant the seed so very
deep-Just deep enough SO that the moisture OF
the ground may aid it in sprouting. This will
70 ne M % % @ m ey the
in rows, about sixteen inches apart, and when
the beets have grown up to some size thin them
out to about six inches space. The earlier cult
walton may be by horse hoe but the work OF
thinning must be done by hand, as it requires
intelligence instead of machine work
Concerning the cost per acre both gentlemen
agreed that should not exceed so to $25. The
average product was about fifteen tons, Though
In a number OF instances this amount had been
exceeded. The average price paid this year at
Grand Island was 81 per ton. This would make
the gross receipts 500 per acre ana the net $S to
S4O per acre. II there is a man in Nebraska
anywhere in the West who has made $40 net on
any acre OF corn in the last twenty years he
county fair, and the dime museums would be on
the lookout for him.
Both Prof. Nicholson and Commissioner Jenk-
ms have abundant faith in the future OF tile in
dustry in this State. They believe that the farm
ers will soon learn the value OF thorough culture
that will make success assured, and that in less
than ten years it will be the leading industry in
all the capital that is necessary to put IN plants
for the manufacture Of sugar IL the capitalists
can be guaranteed of sufficient amount OF beets
TO give them the work they need to make their
Investment paying one.
now THE QUESTION MAY BE SOLVED.
The solution of the whole question lies with the
farmers themselves. If they desire to abandon
corn with profit OF from Is to Is per acre and
take up the culture OF sugar beets with profit,
II properly cultivated, OF from &35 to s40 per
acre, the opportunity is open to them.
IN KANSAS.
Tie sugar mill at Medicine Lodge Kansas. has
accom- iished the best results in the nanurac-
ture OF beet sugar OF any mill i'll the State. 1t
secured last year as its sugar-boiier a gent e
man who has had years OF experience i'll the
beet sugar factories OF Germany. At his sug-
gestion package of beet seed was secured
experiment was developed and brought to
successful issue. There were A. acres SOW , I
which produced 500 tons Of cleaned beets frol. |
and 2,SOO pounds OF seconds, or total Of 10, l5S
pounds OF sugar. polarizing 99.06 per cent. pure
;rystallized sugar, There were also $50 gallons |
Of syrup obtained. The production was more |
5han one ton OF sugar per acre, and not under !
The most favorable circumstances. Not having 7
;he proper appliances for cutting the beets for |
;reating the Juice and the SkimmfngS from the
lefectors, the yield was less than it. otherwise
would have been. Most OF the machinery used
n the manufacture of sorghum sugar is availa-
lie for use in the production OF beet sugar. This
The sorghum sugar industry, and with the addi-
tonal appliances which have been prov ided bet
sr results than th1se given have been attained
supply and it sells readily at the factory at six
cents
If the manufacture of sugar from beets proves
% be as successful as there is every reason to be-
ieve it will, this combined sorghum and beet
PRODUCTION will give to the Kansas sugar dis
gict a season of seven or eight months tlura-
ion, which is not surpassed i'll any country.
1ne advantage OF the beet culture is that after
arriving at maturity they can remain on the
ground until the approach of severe frost, by
which time the sorghum is well out of the way.
ivered to the mill as they are required. Persons
killed either In the growing of beets or in their
llEO sugar are scarce III Kansas ana
t is the intention or the Board of Agriculture
o take such steps as are in their power to in
truct farmers in their culture.
At Medicine Lodge last year farmers were
aid g per ton e for al beets passing the chem
ire graded according to the percentage of sugar
chemical analysis shows them to contain and
hey are paid for according to their value The
oil OF Kansas has shown Itself to be well adapt
ID to the Guilty. alton of beets, and when the
armers learn the best varieties to be used in
he manufacture of sugar it will be one of tie
,est paying crops they can produce. Those who
ave engaged in it Systematically are well sat
aied with the returns.
The only places ct which a practical expert
nent in beet sugar manufacture has been made
n Kansas OutsidesOf Medicine Lodge are Fort
colt ana Topeka. IN the latter place but one
LAYS run Of the min was made on beets, and
hat was so satisfactory that arrangements
AVE been made to engage i'll the industry on
arge scale next year. Contracts for beetS for
lelivery in the fall of 1891 have been entered in
o largely with farmers in this vicinity. and the
mill will be run on beets next gear as long as
upply can be obtained. Many OF the other sor-
,hum factofieS in the State are preparing to
,rOft by the experience of the Medicine Lodge
nill, and will engage in beet sugar manufacture
lext year as extensively as the supply of beets
will permit.