The record-union., 1897-11-04
COMMITTEES ARE AT WORK.
PROGRESS OF THE SUGAR BEET
CANVASS.
Captain Hall Reports the Results
of His Inquiry at Wat
sonvi1le.


alton has promised C. H. Bentley and
V. S. McClatchy, representing tiie
Chamber of Commerce of this city, It's
assistance in procuring lands for sugar
beet culture under the conditions of the
Oxnard proposition, and has cori-
mittee now at work among the IarEn-
ers in that section.
Several Yolo County farmers are re-
ported by K G. Raaf as having signed
contracts to plant beets.
T. B. Hall, who went to Watsonvliie
the other day to investigate the con-
dition of the sugar-beet industry there,
reports as follows to the Chamber OF
Commerce:
J. o. Coleman, Secretary Chamber OF
Commerce. Sacramento-Sfr: Wmle at
Watsonville yesterday / made some OBJ
servations, and, thinking that perhaps
my notes might be of some interest to
you or our committee, working for the
establishment of the proposed beet
sugar factory and refinery near Sac
ramento, L submit them to you.
The yield of beets varies with the
season. In 1896 the crop was consid-
cred a good one, the average tonnage
grown on 10000 acres of land averag-
ing near fifteen tons per acre of closely
trimmed, clean beets, as delivered to
the factory. The good land produced
from eighteen to twenty-seven tons
per acre. One party averaged on a
tract of 40 acres close to twenty-five
tons per acre. 1t is estimated that the
tonnage for 1897 will not average over
twelve tons per acre. owing to the COM
paratiVely dry season
Great care is exercised in preparing
the land before seeding-much depends
upon this-a better stand of beets, less
weeds, and consequently not so much
expense for hoeing and cultivation.
On the heavy black soils the treat
ment is about as follows: AS early in
the season as possible plow from ten TO
twelve inches deep. The farmers in
this locality use a gang of two plows
with twelve-inch shear and fourteen
inch moldboard. with six heavy horses
attached. One man can plow four
acres per day at a cost of 81 II per
acre. The ground is then narrowed and
cross narrowed, using a four-horse
harrow. at a cost of 40 cents per acre.
Following the work with a light culti-
walton, using a V-shaped, duck-toothed
cultivator, cutting about eleven feet
(six horses), at a cost of 40 cents per
acre. Again the land is given a single
narrowing, costing 20 cents per acre.
The ground is now allowed to rest un-
til it is time to prepare it for receiving
the seed, when a deep cultivation is
given, costing. say, go cents per acre.
Then a single narrowing at 20 cents per
acre; then rolled at 20 cents per acre,
and finally the preparation of the soil
is completed by dragging, at a cost Of
20 cents per acre, or a total cost OF
SO 80.
After the land has rested for three
days, to allow the moisture to rise, the
seeding commences. With a four-row
two-horse seeder one man can plant
twelve acres per day at a cost of -
cents per acre. AS success depends
much ON this part of the operation,
very best man only should handle the
drill Twelve pounds of beet seed are
sown to the acre.
Should a heavy rain come immediate
ly (withGn one day. after planting is
finished. causing the surface of the
ground to crust or bake-as it will do
ON the heavy black lands at Watson
Vile the cultivator is again put to
work, as soon as possible after the
storm is over Then follows the har-
row, the drill, and the ground is re-
seeded.
This plan is followed by the success
ful beet raisers who Will never take the
chances of the tender beet sprouts fore
ing their way through the crusted OF
baked ground in order to make a good
stand.
If the rain is not too heavy the cost
of reseeding might be avoided by going
over the ground with light roller with
its surface filed with nails (for teeth
on alternate inch squares, and project
ing, say. one to one and a half inches.
A good time for rain to come is a
week or ten days after planting. II
takes usually about three weeks before
the beet shoots make their appearance
above the ground.
Thinning commences four weeks af-
ter the beets are up, and are placed sc
that the healthy plants stand about
eight inches apart in the row, the rows
being twenty inches apart.
Should much rain fall prior to the
time to commence thinning. the beets
should be first hoed, otherwise the hoe
ing follows in about one week after
thinning.
Where the land is good Italians, Chi
N