The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-08-01
BEET SUGAR AREAS.
DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE.

DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE.
Trade Possibilities for Farmers Aris-
ing from Our War with Spain-Ex-
periments with Grasses aud Forage
PIants-Importing Foreign Seeds.
An attempt has been made by the
Department of Agriculture to define
with greater certainty the areas in the
United States suited to the growth of
high-grade sugar beets. To this end,
seeds Of the sugar beet have been dis
tributed in the most promising locali-
ties and grown under identical condi-
tons Of culture, according to instruc-
tions prepared by. the division. The
only variance, therefore, has been the
soil and climate. The beets thus grown
have been analysed, either in the Di-
vision OF Chemistry or at the agricul-
tural experiment stations, and their
saccharine qualities ascertained. AS
result of the experiments which have
been conducted in this manner, the
areas in the original map constructed
by the division, showing the probable
areas suited to beet culture, have been
more DEFINITELY pointed out. This work
is still In progress, and if continued for
few years longer will result in OBJ
kofy <h, I,to INV SrJO
beet areas Of the country can be
mapped with a considerable degree Of
accuracy.
OF the work accomplished by the sec
ton of foreign markets during the past
three years one Of the most important
features was the study of trade posi-
bilities growing out of the Spanish
American war. The islands that were
brought into closer relationship to the
United States by the war naturally be-
came the subject of great commercial
interest, and numerous inquiries were
received regarding the trade Opportuni-
ties that might be expected to result.
AS the war progressed the requests
for information relative to Cuba, Porto
Rico, and the Philippines increased to
such an extent that the section was
obliged to devote it's attention almost
entirely to the subject of these new de-
Tendencies. To meet the active de-
mand for information along this line,
several special reports were prepared
for publication embodying such data
as could be obtained regarding the
commerce that was beginning to at
tract so much interest.
Just before the breaking out of the
war, when the prevailing conditions
seemed to point to probable hostilities,
a report was published on the subject
of our trade with Cuba, presenting de-
tailed information as to the nature and
value Of the products imported and ex-
ported, and suggesting the commercial
possibilities that could be looked for
with a fuller development of Cuban
resources.
AS soon as Porto Rico began to be of
special interest, owing to the shifting
of the war campaign in its direction,
an exhaustive report was prepared on
the commerce of the island, setting
forth in the fullest possible manner
the character of the trade carried on
with the several foreign countries, and
especially with the United States.
Later report of 100 pages was pub
lished regarding the trade of the Phil
ippines, embracing practically all of
the available statistics on the subject
that could be collated from the official
import and export returns of the vari-
Gus countries enjoying commercial in
tcrcourse with the islands.
The report on the trade of the Philip
pines was supplemented by circular
dealing with the agricultural resources
of the islands and describing the most
important plant products.
Owing to the scarcity of reliable data
relative to Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippines, the preparation of the re-
ports on these former Spanish posses
sions required a vast amount of re-
search. 1t was profitable work, how
ever, for the reports proved to be eX-
ceedingly useful as means Of an
swering the frequent requests that
were received for information about
the new dependencies.
Experiments with grasses and forage
plants have been vigorously prose
cuted during the past three years.
These experiments are necessary in
order that ranchers and farmers may
be Informed Of the kinds suitable for
their respective districts. After these
preliminary facts are determined the
promising varieties can be recommend
ed and adopted without further and
useless expenditure of time and money.
Many Of the vast cattle ranges of the
West have been practically destroyed
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