Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-06-04

The sugar beet reaches its highest de.
velopment in north temperate attitudes
in a zone of vaying widths through
which passes the isothermal line of
seventy degrees Fahrenheit for the
months of June, July and August. This
zone Is shoYn In a map of bulletin No.
II, and also described at length in its
course through the States in farmers
bulletin No. 3, both published by the
Department o! Agriculture at Washing
ton.
Three-flths Of the worlds supply of
sugar is now mads from beets grown in
the colder half Of the temperate zone.
The best soil is a sandy loan, but any
soil which will produce a good crop of
corn, wheat or potatoes will grow sugar
beets. Ia comparison with other coun-
tries our own presents an insignificant
figure IN the production Of sugar from the
beet. Against our three factories in
California, two in Nebraska and one in
Utah, France has 3l7, aud Germany and
Austria nearly six hundred sugar works.
Much has been written about the cul-
~tivation Of the sugar beet, but so far as
observed nothing has been published
that gives more practical information in
a small space than is to be found in bull
letin No. 81, prepared by r. C. Kedzie,
chemist of the Michigan Station, on the
subject of sugar bcets in that State.
Says Mr., Kelzie; ~ a beet sugar
plant is very costly. No cheap apparatus
will serve the purpose. A cider mill and
sheet-iron evaporltor will only burn the
operators fingers AMI squeeze his
pockets. The best apparatus, with every
device to save cost aud turn out the
largest and best possible product, must
be used. ~ The best science and skill
arc required in the management OF the
works when erected. o. Good water
and abundance of it, cheap fuel and
good railroad facilities arc essential for a
successful sugar factory. a. a district
of suitable soil and climate to furnish
every year 1000 acres of sugar beets OF
good quality. To all persons who are
in a hurry to establish a beet-sugar fac
tory, the advice Ego slow" may safely
be given. So much for the mauufac.
turer.
Looking on the farmers side of the
subject he wants to know that his soil,
climate aud locality are suited to the
growing Of sugar beets. He watts to be
sure of a cash crop and a steady market.
His land must be 50 near the factory
that the cost Of carrying the beets to
market shall not eat up the protits If
we count the arabic land of a farm as
one-thlrd the surface, thea one township
would be sufficient to supply a factory
and leave the hauling distance within
paying limits. Michigan farmers have
been encouraged to make tests in a small
way to see if the crop would be profta-
bic. Best beet scei was sent free to
nearly four hundred persons. TIE re-
suits Of the seasons growth show that
many districts in the State are well
adapted to raising sugar beets, but this
does not apply to the eutire State.
From the standpoint OF the mauufac.
turer the outlook Is promising. With an
average Of nearly fourteen per cent. of
sugar, and nearer fifteen in some coun-
ties, with a co-eificlent of purity above
eighty per cent, the prospect Of making
sugar at a profit is good. On the far
mers side is a crop promising large
money returns, outstripping wheat as a
cash crop. 1t promises a reliable mar
ket at nome Tor sugar Beet raising will
compel high farming and through cult
vation-a strong point in its favor. The
tops and crowns, not used in manufac.
ture, and the best pulp, from which the
sugar has been extracted, make excellent
food for cattle. 1t will be observed
that no encouragement is given for max
ing beet sugar in a snail way at home.
Kew Yolk World.