The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-24
Sugar Beet Culture.

The culture of the sugar beet in Amer-
ca, since the question is being so agrees
svely agitated promises to become in the
near future one of the leading farming
industries. The Importance and extent of
the sugar beet industry in America will.
no doubt, soon lead and outstrip the cane
sugar industry, owing to the far wider
area in which the beet can be grown. 1t
Is desirable, therefore that the conditions
surrounding the culture Of the sugar beet
should be made well known. in order that
wherever the experiment is tried, the
farmer may be better assured of success.
Beet growing has wellnigh become
science, says Julius Muth, United States
consul at Magdeburg. in a recent consular
report, and to it, more than anything else.
is the German farmer indebted for
his beautiful crops and large returns, as
wen as the increased value of his land.
In the first place where conditions are
right for beet culture, they form an i'm
portant factor in the rotation of crops,
leaving the ground in a better condition
for other crops. which follow them. The
climate, the soil and the beet itself. are
the three factors to be considered, the soil
being a fundamental condition
1t is necessary that every grower of
beets should have an intimate knowledge
of his ground and also of the sub-soils.
1t is possible to change a poor beet soil
to more fertile one. but the addition of
the necessary substances is generally too
expensive TO permit of il. Experience
has shown that of all soils a mild, deep
humous, loamy soil, with loose, porous
sub-soil. is by far the most serviceable
for beet field. Such loamy soil is ten
der and loose, and will always return good
yield. sandy soil. with a high percen-
tage OF fine sand; common, marty loam
and a rich hun Gus, cayey soil are also
suitable for the beet. Stony soil is abso-
lutely unAt for It."
AS to climatic conditions, they are inn
portant especially ia the early life OF the
beer. The beet will not sprout in a soil
the temperature of which is below 45 de-
grees Fair, and the more quickly sprout-
ing takes place the more favorable will
be the results. After the sprouting has
once set in, the temperature should not
fan below a certain point. In Germany
the best results are attained with tenn
perature varying from 81 to 50 degrees
Fair. In the spring. 10 60 to 6j degrees in
the summer, and 60 to GO degrees in the
early fall In general authorities consider
that April and May should have mod
erately large supply Of moisture, June to
August moderate, and September a small
rainfall. All other conditions being equal
beets which have received a stronger light
will show a larger percentage Of sugar.
These may be considered an average OF
conditions under which the sugN beet
DDS best. The conditions may no doubt
be varied slightly one condition depend
Ing upon another and equally good &c.
suits obtained. Where the condi ions
seem favorable a study OF them should be
made. and a proper test given.
Mr. J. l.. Watson OF the Houston. Tex.
Post, who died In Asheville, N. c.. a few
days ago from consumption. WIS one OF
the best known men la the newspaper
world la tho south. Mr.. Watson was well
known throughout the country as tho
southern representative Of the Mergen-
thaler type setting machine. or linotype.
and 10 his efforts rs largely due the rapid
Introduction OF that wonderful piece OF