Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-03-30
Stauntolt Spectator.
The Culture of the Sugar Beet.

The Culture of the Sugar Beet.
Some months since our farmers
seemed to be much interested in the
question of cultivating the sugar-beet,
as Mr.. o. X. Lapham had agreed to
establish a factory here for the pur-
pose of manufacturing sugar from
them on the condition that the farmers
would guarantee the cultivation of a
sufficient number of acres to justify
him in mourning the necessary expense
to do so. We have not heard much
from them recently, but hope that
they have not abandoned the purpose,
for we think that they would find it
profitable after sufficient experience
for them to learn the character OF the
soil best adapted, and the best mode
of cultivating them. 1t would be wise
for them, it seems to us, to diversity
their crops, and we know of none that
promises so well as the cultivation OF
the sugar-beet. 1t has been found
profitable in all countries where tried,
and we can see no reason why it should
not be the case here, where we have
soil and climate adapted, and intelli-
how to cultivate beets to the best ad-
vantage. What farmers in other sec
lions have done, ours can do as we'll
if they will try, as weNhope they will
They are cautious and conservative,
and hesitate to try new experiments,
but the experience of others should
give them sufficient confidence to dc
so, particularly as they cannot lose, sc
far as we can see, and have a prospect
of good profits for their labor. The
first matter to be considered is the
character of the soil, which should bt
deep, mellow, and homogeneous, anC
not to contain either too much acid o.
alkali, and to be free of stones. New
ground is not suitable, because it con
tains too much alkali and neither i
sc il suitable that contains too great ;
proportion of vegetable acids. L
should contain about equal proportion
of sand, clay and lime combined with ;
certain quantity of organic substance
1t is important to have deep soil TO
the reason that "a soil having a con
siderable depth of loan, and a small
percentage of the needed plant-foo'
will give better results than anothe
without depth, but having a highe
percentage of the elements required b
the plants during their growth" Lime
which we have in the soil here, is on
of the most essential elements, TO
sugar cannot be produced without il
and it gives assistance by chemica
action to the fertilizers or manur
when brought in contact with TIL
elements of the soil. In this fair lime
stone Valley there is enough lime t
supply the beet crops of the world III
that distant period in the future
when wrapped in flames the realms of eth
glow,
And Heavens last trump shakes the wor
below
Beets should be so planted as to
small in circumference, but lOng-hent
should be planted in deep, mellow SO
close together, about so to 100 beets Pr
100 square feet. The SUgdr-Beet jOu
nal of Philadelphia, for a copy
which we are indebted to Mr.. o. I
Lapham, says that great care shou'
be used to prevent open spaces in be-
fields, as roots growing on the border
of same will attain great size and col
tain very little sugar.
The reports from all the countri'
in Europe, as well as those from Kal
sas, Nebraska, California and otht
States of this country, in which suga
beet factories exist and sugar-be'
culture is prosecuted, are & the mo-
favorable character, showing that tt
business is on the increase, and that
proportion as they become better a
quainted with it, and give increase
attention to it, the more profitable it
found to be. The profit is not only
the beet crop, but in the fact that
prepares the soil for an increase
other crops that follow.
We hope that our intelligent, indu
trious, and wide-awake farmers wi
not fail to avail themselves of the o.
portunity offered by Mr.. Lapham
establish factory here that will flu
nish them a market for proftab
crop.