St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-05-09
P. F. Lyons, Local Forecast Official.
SUGAR BEET CULTURE.

The culture of the beet for sugar
making is not making much progress in
this state. In one or two localities there
has been interest enough to procure
considerable quantities of seed, with the
expectation that the beets can be
shipped to some sugar factory out of
the state; but the farmers are not indi-
eating much concern in the matter.
They are not convinced that there is
profit in the business for them, and
there are no Sugarmakers at hand stim-
ulating interest. The tests made at
the experiment stations in this state
and the Dakotas are reported to
show up well in the sugar ele-
ment. 1t is not understood that the
conditions as to soil and climate are
more unfaYorable than in Nebraska,
Wisconsin or other sections where prog
reSS a been made. The industry has
been >.eyeloped more extensively in
California than any other state, and
sugar has become one of the most i'm
portant productions of that state. A
South Dakota paper had the report not
long since that capitalists from Cali
fornia were coming to that state to in
vest in large tract in the James
valley, perhaps 10000 acres, to de-
vote it to the culture of the beet
for sugar purposes. Whether any
thing is to come of it or not,
there is no definite information. One
of the reasons assigned for the selec-
ton of that region is the great amount
of sunshine had there. OF course, that
will apply about as well to this state
and North Dakota. Vegetation has
very rapid growth, which is understood
to be desirable for the beetS The re-
marKable artesian wells Of the James
region may have had influence, as sea-
sOnable moisture is requisite for the
sugar beet. Confidence is said to be a
plant of slow growth. 1t is not sufi-
GENTLY developed in the direction of the
beet in the Northwest for much effort
to introduce that industry just
yet. 1t has taken decades to es-
tablish it on large scale in Europe.
It's progress is not likely to be more
rapid in this country. Some persons
have out forth Seductive-looking figures
showing the profit Of the farmers III
growing the sugar beet. A writer in a
recent agricultural paper makes aD ey-
hibit that quite warrants the advice to
farmers generally to grow beets. He fig
ureS that even at present prices of sugar
the beetS will command 1888 per ton.
and the yield is at least fifteen tons per
acre. That is made to give the producer
about $50 profit per acre. This ought to
cause rush to the beet field. But it is
not all fun growing this crop. 1t is not
like the small grains that call for
no labor between sowing and harvest.
One of the reports made by an agent in
Germany to the state department gives
great deal of information as to the
processes in the German beet belt. The
account shows that for success IN Quail
ity and quantity there are a great many
conditions requisite in soil, moisture,
sunshine and culture. The easy-going,
slip-shod methods will not give good
results. There is great deal of atten-
ton and labor needful. People who
have good wheat lands and get satisfae>
tory prices for their product will not
rush into beet growing, but there is no
reason why it should not in time help to
diversity the farm products of this state
and the Dakotas.