The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-04-29
SUGAR BEETs AGAIN.

A recent dispatch from Washington
stated that the secretary Of agriculture
was busily engaged in distributing bee.
seeds 10 such farmers IN various DOT
tons Of the country as had signified
their willingness to observe the require
ments Of the tests 10 be made with the
view Of determining what sections are
adapted for growing beets con.ainins
sufficient percentage Of sacchaline
matter To make the industry profitable.
The AstoTian has not heard that any
seeds have been applied for by Clatso7
county farmers, but since 1t Is possible
they may feel some slight. passing in
terest in knowing how the enterprising
farmers OF other localities will avail
themselves OF the magnificent opportu-
nifty thus presented to advertise their
sections and engage in the cultivation
of what promises to be one Of the bes.-
paying crops raised in America, pains
have been taken to learn the most I'M
pcrtant facts concerning the matter.
1t appears that the government was
Induced to engage in these experiment 5
largely through the influence of a prom
inent beet man in Nebraska, Mr. Henry
T. oxnard. who. IL not the pioneer, is one
of the pioneers in the movement 10
introduce the best sugar industry in
this country. Mr.. Oxnard pres ented
over half the quantity of seeds the gov
ernment has collected for distribution.
and the remainder have been purchased
by the agricultural department All the
seed is imported stock, and the entire
amount to be used is about five tons.
each farmer getting from one TO two
pounds, Quantities Of seed have been
sent 10 the experiment stations in many
Of the states, and applicants of states
where there are no experiment stations
are getting seed direct from the depart
ment The department does no: recon-
mend the planting Of the seed in hilly
or rocky soil, and suggests a light,
sandy and fairly rich loam as suitable.
Contrary to the general supp5sition, th=
department states that as a rule it IS
not believed that warm climates are
favorable to the growth Of the osst vari-
eties of beets.
Farmers are recommended 10 take 20
pounds of the grown beets and send
them to the nearest experimental sta
ton for test. If they yield more than
Y per cent Of sugar their cultivation
will be regarded as entirely profitable; Z
otherwise, not.
This work of experiment is largely .
for the purpose of ascertaining in what
localities it viii be profitable to es alb
lish beet sugar factories. After the
factories shall have been established. /
the further development Of the cultur-
Of the beet among the farmers will fol
low as a matter of course. The hes
methods of cultivation, fertilization,
ETC. will be pointed cut by the depart
ment. but must be determined for each
section, it Is reasonable TO assume. by
tine experience of the various expert
ment stations. The outlook Is pro
by the secretary Of agricul-
ture to be extremely interesting and
hopeful. The results Of the experlm ents
will be published in book form, and d.s-
all over the world. Not only
will the establishment Of this Industry
bring profit to the farmers directly from
the sale of beets, but many thousands
II not millions of dollars will be ex-
pended in labor and construction of the
great plants required for the extraction
If sugar. The farmers living in the Vi
Unity of any of these plants will have
he advantage of an increased market
or their other products by reason Of the
arge number of hands employed, and