The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-17

by liberal bounties. Il would be we'll 10
ind another market for the surplus OF
beets which Is annually produced. N the
upshct OF the consultations between the
Ministes OF Commerce and the scientists
prove TO be satisfactory. a series OF ex-
perimeutS VIII be ~naugurated at once.
The sum named VIII be divided among
the investigators who may succeed I'M
solving the problem.
USES OF THE BEET IN EUROPE.
IT IS. OF course. impossible. within tho
limits OF n report such as this. 10 give
an elaborate treatise on the method OF
cultivating the beet but there are "A
few salient points which can well boz con-
sidered. as they may reveal something
useful TO those interested IN the sub
ject.
The beet is extensively cultivated in
most European countries as food FOR
cattle. and. in this respect. presents "a
great agricultural feature, but. az pros-
ent. we will consider only the facts bear
ing upon the cultivation OF The root for
the manufacture Of ugar. "a principal OBJ
icCt being TO present the means that have
been used I'm tho process Of cultivation 10
augment the proportion OF sugar IN tho
beet. Neither physiology nor chemistry
has pointed out tho means Il obtaining
this result, and we must. therefore. rely
upon the practical experience OF the
armer
NJ. Achard. who oxporlmentcd during
many years. has stated that beyond The
choice OF the seed. tho result obtained
will depend %. on the nature and exc
posture n the ground %. ON the quality
and quantity OF the fertilizer used. ll
on the preparation Of the ground 90 on
the mode OF planting. eud go on the care
given 20 the plantation. The following
interesting facts concerning these several
propositions have been supplied hy an
intelligent French farmer largely en-
gagged I'm hcet-culturc.
LANDS ADAPTED To BEET Gull
TURE.
Experience in France shows that an
land suitable for the growth Of wheat
may be employed for the cultivation OF
the beet. nevertheless. it Is very necos-
sary 10 avoid a soil too compact or con-
tanning too much clay. which in dry sea-
sons would tend 10 prevent the develop
ment OF tho beet. A soil composed or
SAND and clay. though IT. may not Doe AL
together suitable for wheat. viii serve
well Tor the cultivation of the beet. A
sandy soil. resting upon a suhstratum OF
clay. when well MANFRED. Is a very good
soil fer the beet. but less so than that OF
sand and clay combined. sandy ground
without cohesion, thOugh II may bc high
ly fertilized. is not suited 10 the beet.
for the reason that water filters through
h. too rapidly. m1rshy ana furry lands
are equally unsuitable. Lana iittNirn
for the cultivation cf tho beet should
have a light bed or soil that can be
plOwcd from nine 10 twelve inches deep,
in order that the growing root may edsi-
ly penetrate il.
Without entering into details. IT may
be stated that a great agricultural hl-
vantage could bo derived from the cul-
tivatiOn Of the beet by farmers I'M many
sections of the United States, and the
manufacture Of tho product into sugar
would soon become a great OBJECT ut
commerce-an Industry that would sup
ply advantageOusly a material 10 super
sedc the sugar-cane OF the West Indies
aud fhA ~ allan f.NInIE The IFnf I|LN
can also Dee pr0ltlhly manufactures INTO
vinegar % alcohol.
CULTIVATION OF THE BEST ~
FRANCE.
4 great deal depends in be%et-culture
upon the position Of tho ground. A soil
too damp is not suitable for the sugar
beet. because IN this case the root gains
I'm quantity. but loses in quality; "a sou
moderately humid and exposed 70 the
midday sun should be preferred. n i
necessary. above an. TO avoid land which
is SHADED by trees. and over which TIE dlf
cannot circulate freely.
In France. the cOW-ydrd manure Dis
greatly preferred over hat of the horse.
and that of tho hog % sheep is absolute
lv avoided. The quantity OF manure can
hardly be determined, 10 ought lo vary
according TO the natural fertility or tNe
soil. \ field well manureu VIII produce
relatively mere bccts. bur rhe quality OF
sugar viii Doe IN an inverse ratio to the
excess Of manure. Good ground. we'll
manfred. which has been cultivated the
first year in wheat and tire second year
in another kind OF cereal. forms the lhlid
wear am excellent preparation for the
beet. without additional manure. Ground
less fertile. but well MANFRED and c9l-
tlvated in wheat the first year, may Doe
planted iu beets the second year. iut
er,urd of mediocre quality. when intend
cI for the cultivation of thc beet. must
necessarily Dee treated with proper iefu-
lizers the same year. Vegetable manure
is greatly TO bee preferred. it used in SUE
noient quantity. tor the reason that an
excess OF it will not diminish the sugar.
as animal and chemical manures are
90 do. Ashes. lime and mari are
used in France. The bad ELECTS OK
animal manures may Dee avoided N the
land is cultivated boz another orop before
the beet is planted. Under amy tlfluin-
stances. the land should Doe manured from
20 twelve months preceding l"t
planting OF the beet.
N il is found necessary 90 use ma
ruro tne field should be deeply pio"td
FIN the autumn and again in the spflns
when the weather Will permit li ln'
r,ll is to receive plants instead ot lIe
seed 10 should remain untouched after
the two plowings above mentioned u"l"