Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1897-05-05
THE SUGAR BEET.
Some interesting Points on the
Coming Industry.

The secretary of agriculture has
given some very interesting and yalu-
able facts regarding the sugar beet,
it's culture and importance.
When we take into consideration
the fact that in the year 1896, the
total amount of sugar manufactured
in the world was 7,707,500 tons, OF
which 100000 tons was produced
from the sugar beet, it will at once be
apparent that this plant is one OF the
most important which can be cultl-
waited in the United States.
Careful experience in this country
has developed the fact that the sugar
beet will produce the best results in q
latitude where the average isothermal
line of 20 degrees Fahrenheit, aver
ages for the months of June, July
and August; This line does not fol-
low latitudinal lines but varies IN &C
cordance with other conditions.
In this country it covers the south
half of New York, Michigan, Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota, including Stevens
county; the north half of Pennsylva-
MIA. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa; al
most the whole of South Dakota,
north and west portions Of Nebraska,
slightly touching Kansas; turning
south covers the entire alluvial lands
of Colorado, including most OF New
Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah,
Idaho, the north half of Oregon, and
the south half of Washington; MAX
ing an area large enough to furnish
sugar for the entire world. Regard
ing some of the districts named where
it never rains in summer. irrigation
will have to be resorted to; but it
NAV be said of this plant, that it
stands drouth splendidly, and in an
irrigated district the percentage OF
sugar is greater in the beet, than
where there is natural rainfall
The trouble with American farmers
has been, and is now, that those who
live north of the cotton belt are
brought into direct competition with
the low price of wages in India, and
Russia as we'll as China and Japan,
and there has been an oyer-produc-
ton in the food products, which has
caused prices to be lower than can be
proftably maintained by the United
States.
The people Of the United States
are expanding over $l00,00000O g
year for imported sugar, the larger
part of it being bought of Germany.
The output Of the product from the
sugar beet in Germany during the
year 1896 amounted to 100000 tons.
Lands can be made profitable to raise
this product when worth $75 to 500
per acre, whereas, the same lands as
now farmed, in northern Nebraska
for instance, are farmed at a loss at
valuation Of $40 per acre. For ex-
ample, take an acre of French culture
of this plant, we hud that they pay
S4O.85 alone for fertilizing, which in
most of the regions Of tue United
States named, does not have to be
used; the total cost of farming
French acre of sugar beats as given
by French statisticians is $706l, the
crop when harvested amounting TO
IS tons of beets, which sold at the
factory at SIS per ton, making Sl25;
if we then deduct the cost Of culture
it will be seen that the profit on an
acre in France is So 80 Expert
ments in the United States show that
the beet may be raised in this conn-
try at maximum cost OF S;34 30 per
acre, but if we allow laborers 81 per
day, with the rental value Of land at
S. per acre, it will cost $40 SO per
acre. The price received here for
beets at the factory is something less
than in France, amounting on the
average to $3.50 per ton; but the pro