The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-03-05
SHOULD Be GIVEN Attention
Beet Sugar Raising a Profit
able Industry.
HOW TO GROW THE BEETs

Mr.. G. w. Shaw, Chemist, Furnished
, Practical Information for the Guild.
ance of Farmers in the Northwest
,, The subject of cultivating sugar beets,
and the manufacture Of sugar from
them, has been before the people at
different times. When it was seen
that the industry was success in Cali
fornla, the prospect of its introduction
seemed favorable. Persons agitated
the matter with varying success. and
at times individuals made experiments
In producing the beets, some Of which
were submitted to analysis. Some of
these experiments did not yield results
as satisfactorily as was hoped, and gave
many the idea that beets containing
sufficient saccharine matter would not
grow here. Other individuals also en-
gagged in producing few sample beets,
devoting more intelligent care to them,
and were rewarded with much higher
percentage of sugar. Seed have been
brought from foreign countries to be
distributed among farmers in order
that different soils might be tested. OF
such efforts as these were those of Mr..
H. G. Smith, of Portland, Or About
the year 1883, Mr.. Smith imported
some of the beet seed procurable from
Cologne, Germany, and had some sent
from Alvarado, Cal, where factory is
In successful operation. Both these
quantities were distributed, with in
structions in planting and cultivating
accompanying. From some persons re-
ceiving the seed no replies were ever
obtained, and those who did take the
pains to plant at all, stated, in their re-
port, that but little attention had been
given them. Some simply sowed them,
leaving the plants to struggle with
weeds, etc, while others gave but the
slightest cultivating. Of course, the
roots yielded little sugar. Nothing else
is to be expected. as the cultivating of
sugar beets has reached stage of scien-
tific exactness that anything like best
results cannot be obtained without GER
tain care. This is a fair sample of other
Individual efforts, some of which have
had the effect of conveying the belief
that the industry is not profitable in
the Northwest.
In 1890, the federal government
passed bounty law, offering cents a
pound for domestic sugar testing 80 de-
grees, and % cents for all testing be-
tween 80 and 80, which should be pro-
duced until July 1, 1905. In further
aid, the agricultural department aided
the several states in making expert
ments. Seed was furnished farmers
who would agree to plant and care for
them, and return samples for analysis,
and with reports of other conditions
The experiment station at Corvallis,
Or, delivered seed to farms in different
localities of the state in 1891, in accord
ance with this plan. In regard to this
effort, Mr.. g. w. Shaw, chemist, re-
ports in bulletin No. %, the following:
Each year arrangements were made
with farmers in different portions of
the station to cultivate a small plat of
beets, the seed being furnished them
by the station. Although there was a
heavy and ready response by those who
would agree to forward samples for an
alysis, accompanied by report-blanks
for which were furnished-there were
many who never responded to single
inquiry after the seed had been fur
nished, notwithstanding that they had
expressly agreed to report results.''
According to Mr.. Shaw's report, care
full instructions were given in regard to
cultivation. The kind of soil was
specified and the degree of moisture best
for the beets was also named
The results of these efforts were con-
vincing that beets could be grown with
profit.
The succeeding year preparations
were made to repeat with greater care +.
the attempts of 1S91-1S92. Unavoid-
able delay in receiving the seed so that
it could not be planted in April was the
first discouragement. The rainfall dur
ing the season was below normal, and
all reports showed Every dry" "extra-
dry" and weather unfavor-
able''
Mr.. Shaw has made some interest
ng comparisons between the tempera-
'ure and precipitation Of Oregon and
Germany and France. The era covered
~ the figures is from May to October
|, the time between planting of seed
md harvesting the beets. In France,
he temperature May 1 was 81 degrees
alling to Sc in September; in Ger
many, May starts with 80 degrees,
which rises to 67 in June and falls to
g in September, and the Willamette
ALLEY starts with 81 in May, reaching
Is in June and falling off to 55 in Sep
ember.
In Eastern Oregon the temperature
s about five degrees higher than in the
willamette valley in the middle of the
but is not much different at
he beginning and the end of the sea-
on. 1t will be seen that the mean
of Oregon is much less than
hat of either France or Germany, and
mlldness of climate is favorable, this
ection possesses an advantage over both
those countries.
All well-conducted experiments have
nown good. products, although many
Tho have made Indifferent attempts
ave been rewarded with very unsatis-
lctory returns. Some of the latter have
cen circulated more or less, and leave
he impresson that the soil or climate
the state is unsuitable to the indus
y. By. devoting proper care, as is
lown where experienced hands have
ken hold of the matter, this states
lgar beets are of superior quality.
The climatic conditions of the other
orthwestern states are alike favorable.
Instruction in regard to- preparing the
nd, containing depth to be plowed,
lmber of plowings, manuring, width
tween rows, distance between beets
I'd peculiar conditions most favorable
termination will be furnished by
" of the state horticultural boards