63U.7 
 
 In2b 
 
 no. 49 
 cop.jfc^ 
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 
 AGRICULTURE 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/sugarbeets4918hust 
 
PURDUE UNIVERSITY 
 
 JNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 AGRICULTURE LIBRARY 
 
 Agricultural Experiment Station. 
 
 Bulletin No. 49. Vol. V. March, 1894. 
 
 SUGAR BEETS. 
 
 Issued March 8, 1894-. 
 
 Published Dy me station: 
 LAFAYETTE, INI) 
 U. S. A. 
 
BOARD OF GONTROL 
 
 James H. Smart, DD. D., President of the.University. 
 Charges B. Stuart, (President) - 
 
 William A. Banks 
 
 Sylvester Johnson 
 
 David E. Beem ------- 
 
 Jasper N. Davidson 
 
 Jasper M. Dresser* ------- 
 
 Da Payette. 
 
 DaPorte. 
 
 Irvington. 
 
 Spencer. 
 
 Whitesville. 
 
 Da Payette 
 
 STATION STAFF. 
 
 Charles S. Plumb, B. S. 
 William C. Datta, M. S. 
 
 James Troop, M. S. 
 
 Henry A. Huston, A. M., A. C. 
 Joseph C. Arthur, D. Sc. 
 Arvill W. Bitting, B. S. 
 George R. Ives, B. S. 
 
 S. Grant Wright, M. S. 
 William Brady, B. S., A. C.f 
 
 Director. 
 
 Agriculturist. 
 
 Horticulturist. 
 
 Chemist, 
 
 Botanist. 
 Veterinarian. 
 Ass’t agriculturist. 
 Ass't botauist. 
 Ass’t chemist. 
 
 The Station will take pleasure in sending: its publications free to all citizens of the 
 State who may be interested in them. 
 
 Jf you receive this bulletin, please acknowledge it. 
 
 Address : Director Experiment Station, 
 
 Purdue University, 
 
 DaPayette, Ind. 
 
 BULLETINS OF 1894 ISSUED TO DATE. 
 
 No. 48. Experiments with small fruits. 
 
 No. 49. Sugar beets. 
 
 ♦Died Feb. 25, 1894. 
 tResigned March 1. 
 
l 7 
 
 SUGAR BEETS. 
 
 liY H. A. HUSTON. 
 
 Various attempts have been made to establish the sugar beet 
 industry in America. A trial in Pennsylvania in 1830 and one in 
 Massachusetts in 1838-1839, completed the record up to 1863. In 
 that year a factory was established at Chatsworth, 111. After this 
 location had been tried with poor results for six years, the factory 
 was removed to Freeport, 111., and one year later to Black Hawk, 
 Wis., where the enterprise again failed. Other attempts were made 
 between 1870 and 1890 in Wisconsin, California, New Jersey, Massa- 
 chusetts, Canada and Maine * While these enterprises resulted in 
 failure, the lessons to be drawn from their history are of the highest 
 value; for the causes of failure are plain, and maybe included under 
 unfavorable soil conditions, bad water supply, unsuitable climatic 
 conditions and poor business management. 
 
 In 1879 Mr. ID. H. Dyer, of Alvarado, Cal., who had been inter- 
 ested in the unprofitable attempt made there to manufacture beet 
 sugar, organized a company to manufacture beet sugar, using the 
 same buildings and ground used by the old company. This com- 
 pany has been successful from the start and is still manufacturing 
 large quantities of sugar. Other factories have been built at Wat- 
 sonville, Cal., Chino, Cal.. Grand Island, Neb., Norfolk, Neb., and 
 Lehi, Utah, and all these factories are meeting with good success. 
 
 It is important to note that the early attempts to establish fac- 
 tories were made without first finding out whether beets of satis- 
 factory quality could be grown at the points where the factories 
 were built, while the factories now in successful operation were 
 located at points where field trials showed that good beets could be 
 raised. 
 
 These factories produced during the year ending June 30, 1893, 
 27,083,288 pounds of sugar, an increase of 15,078,450 pounds over 
 their production for the previous year.f This sugar was made from 
 128,887 tons of beets raised on 13,128 acres of land. Returns for the 
 crops raised in 1893 are not yet available, but there were reported 
 under cultivation in beets 24,793 acres from whi<bh it was proposed 
 
 *An interesting account of this early work and the causes of its failure may he 
 found in Dr. W. H. Wiley’s Bulletin No. 27, Chemical Division, U. S. Department of 
 Agriculture, 1890. 
 
 tReport Commissioner Internal Revenue for fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, on 
 the Bounty on Sugar. 
 
i8 
 
 to make 57,200,000 pounds of sugar. It will be seen that the increase 
 during the past three years is very rapid, an indication that those 
 engaged in raising sugar beets find the business profitable. The 
 final success of the sugar beet industry in California and its success 
 from the start in Nebraska and Utah, has aroused new interest in 
 the subject, and field experiments have been undertaken in nearly 
 every northern state for the purpose of testing the adaptability of 
 their soils and climate for sugar beet culture. 
 
 In view of this renewed interest in the subject, it may be well 
 to summarize the conditions required for success in the sugar beet 
 industry. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS. 
 
 Climatic conditions have always held a leading place in deciding 
 on the location of beet sugar factories. The usual standard for 
 temperature is, that the average temperature of the three summer 
 months should not exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A belt one hun- 
 dred miles wide on each side of a line passing through the points 
 having a mean summer temperature of 70 degrees was supposed to 
 practically include the sugar beet belt. This belt as originally 
 laid down included the northern half of Indiana, and gave a nearly 
 straight line across the state; while the line drawn by using the data 
 of the Indiana Weather Service from all available points in the state 
 has a totally different form, the line making a very marked bend to 
 the north. (See fig. 1, page 19.) The temperatures of September, 
 October and November are also important factors. 
 
 The rainfall is a most important element in the case. Fnough 
 rain is required in April and May to insure proper germination of 
 the seed. The summer rainfall must be enough to maintain the 
 steady growth of the plants. A rainfall that will carry the corn 
 crop through the summer in a satisfactory condition will provide for 
 proper growth of beets. The beets should show sig'ns of maturity 
 here about the middle of October, and a small rainfall in October 
 and November favors the ripening of the beet and its richness in 
 sugar and the purity of its juice. A warm, moist autumn tends to 
 produce a second growth of the beet, which results in a reduction of 
 the purity of the juice. 
 
 The following table, compiled from the records of the Indiana 
 Weather Service, gives the average temperature and rainfall of the 
 three sections of the state: 
 
19 
 
 Kig. l. Lines of equal temperature for June, July and August. Mean temperature. 
 
20 
 
 TABLE I. 
 
 
 Mean temperature. 
 
 Degrees Fahrenheit. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Location 
 
 Jan 
 
 Feb. 
 
 Mar. 
 
 Apr. 
 
 May 
 
 .Tune 
 
 July. 
 
 Aug. 
 
 Sept. 
 
 Oct 
 
 Nov. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 Northern counties .. 
 
 22.9 
 
 27.4 
 
 34 2 
 
 49 7 
 
 59 6 
 
 70.6 
 
 73 9 
 
 70.4 
 
 64 3 
 
 50.9 
 
 38 3 
 
 30.7 
 
 Central “ 
 
 25 8 
 
 30.8 
 
 35.9 
 
 51.7 
 
 61 4 
 
 71.9 
 
 74 9 
 
 70 9 
 
 65 5 
 
 51.9 
 
 40.0 
 
 32 7 
 
 Southern “ 
 
 29 7 
 
 34.(5 
 
 40 8 
 
 55.2 
 
 63 4 
 
 73.5 
 
 
 '73 8 
 
 (57 0 
 
 54.4 
 
 43.2 
 
 35.7 
 
 Rainfall, inches. 
 
 Northern counties.. . 
 
 2.52 
 
 2.90 
 
 1 2.52 
 
 3.24 
 
 4 79 
 
 4.15 
 
 2.86 
 
 2 75 
 
 3.14 
 
 2.16 
 
 3 39 
 
 | 2.47 
 
 Central 
 
 1 3 25 
 
 3 43 
 
 2.77 
 
 ! 3.86 
 
 4.31 
 
 4 04 
 
 2.88 
 
 [ 3 41 
 
 3 29 
 
 1 2.08 
 
 3.69 
 
 1 2.88 
 
 Southern “ 
 
 3.78 
 
 4 48 
 
 3 62 
 
 4.39 
 
 4.09 
 
 ! 4.33 
 
 3.20 
 
 j 3.91 
 
 3 60 
 
 2 25 
 
 4.35 
 
 3.15 
 
 While this table gives a general view of the climate in the three 
 sections of the state, the division is purely arbitrary, and there are 
 as wide variations in temperature between different counties in the 
 same section as between different sections. This is due to the influ- 
 ence of the Ohio and Wabash valleys on one side and to the great 
 lakes and the lower Michigan peninsula on the other. From this 
 peculiar combination it results that Togansport, Indianapolis and 
 Vevay (at the extreme south-eastern point of the state) have the 
 same mean temperature for July as shown by the records extending 
 from 22 to 38 years. For the three summer months the mean tem- 
 perature of the northern section is 71.6 degrees, of the central 72.5 
 degrees, and for the southern 74.3 degrees. The mean annual rain- 
 fall for the northern section is 37.1 inches, for the central 39.7 inches 
 and for tke southern 45.0 inches. This excess for the southern 
 counties is distributed over every month of the year except May. 
 In May the rainfall is greatest in the northern counties, but the 
 amount in all sections is ample for crop purposes. So far as the 
 beet crop is concerned, the higher rainfall in the southern sections 
 during July, August and September would more than compensate 
 for the somewhat higher temperature, while the lower rainfall of 
 October in all sections is favorable to the ripening and harvesting of 
 the crop. The temperature of the winter months in the central and 
 southern sections is favorable to continuing the manufacture of 
 sugar after the beets are harvested. 
 
 Soil — Moderately light sandy loam is the soil generally considered 
 best for beets. Heavy clay does not permit the tap root to pen- 
 etrate the subsoil. Muck lands give badly formed beets with impure 
 juices, owing to excess of nitrogen compounds and poor drainage. 
 Good results are most likely to be obtained on lands that have been 
 under cultivation for ten years or more and which give good crops 
 of corn and wheat. The black prairie soils which have not yet 
 been reduced to good condition for wheat are not desirable for beets 
 since they contain too much soluble mineral matter and nitrogenous 
 material and produce a rank growth of beets with impure juice. 
 
21 
 
 A deep soil that can be put into a mellow condition by deep 
 plowing- and subsoiling- is most likely to gave g-ood returns. 
 
 If the land is thoug-ht to be in need of manure it will be best to 
 apply a heavy dressing- of barnyard manure to the previous crop 
 rather than apply it to the beet crop. But when this is impractica- 
 ble the manure should be applied in the fall and plowed under. If 
 commercial fertilizers are to be used phosphates seem to claim the 
 first place, and for nitrog-en compounds nitrate of soda is most desi- 
 rable, but the amount per acre should not exceed three hundred 
 pounds. Both should be applied before seeding - . Bater applica- 
 tions of nitrate of soda prolong- the growth of the plant and delay 
 ripening - . There is no doubt but there are extensive areas of land 
 well adapted to sugar beet culture to be found in all sections of the 
 state. 
 
 FACTORY REQUIREMENTS. 
 
 Of course the most prominent of these is a supply of beets. 
 This must depend on suitable soil and climatic conditions, and then 
 on an inclination on the part of farmers to furnish beets to the fac- 
 tory. The kind of farming required to produce good crops of beets 
 is very different from the kind now in vogue in producing wheat and 
 corn. But the very rapid increase in acreage of beets in the terri- 
 tory near the present factories would indicate that farmers had 
 found beet raising more profitable than grain raising. 
 
 Factories need large quantities of water of good quality for 
 steam making and extracting ot sugar from the beets. Barge 
 quantities of limestone are used in the process of sugar manufac- 
 ture and the consumption of fuel is large. The Norfolk (Neb.) 
 News states that up to December 1st the Norfolk factory had paid 
 $31,000 for freight on coal. 
 
 Indiana can furnish an abundance of cheap fuel, coal, gas or oil; 
 its waters are of suitable quality and it has abundance of limestone. 
 Markets are close at hand and transportation facilities abundant. 
 The Norfolk News , under date of December 27, 1893, in speaking of 
 the beet industry, says, “The beet sugar factory up to the present 
 time has turned out nearly 4,000,000 pounds of fine granulated sugar 
 —double the amount produced last year. This sugar was all man- 
 ufactured from this year’s crop of beets and does not include sugar 
 made from the syrup that the factory is now working up. When 
 the syrup on hand is reduced, the output of the factory for the cam- 
 paign will amount to considerably more than 4,000,000 pounds. 
 
 “This industry is only three years old, but if it increases in the 
 next three years in the same proportion it has in the past, it will be 
 
22 
 
 necessary to enlarge the capacity of the factory in order to handle 
 the supply of beets. * * * The success of the beet culture, the 
 
 enormity of the crop and the price paid for beets at the factory 
 demonstrates that there is more money — a greater profit to the far- 
 mer — in one acre of beets than in six to seven acres of corn. Many 
 farmers around Norfolk realized a profit of from $25 to $55 per acre 
 on their beet crop this year, and some report the amount even higher. 
 When a man puts in an acre of beets the factory contracts for the 
 entire crop when it is sown, agreeing to pay $5 per ton.” 
 
 A factory for the manufacture of beet sugar, capable of hand- 
 ling 350 tons of beets per day, would cost about $400,000, and ought 
 to receive the beets from 2,500 to 3,000 acres. The beets should 
 contain not less than 12 per cent, of sugar. 
 
 METHOD OF RAISING BEETS. 
 
 Plowing.— It is of the highest importance that the land intended 
 for beets should be plowed deeply enough to allow the beet 
 to develop its normal shape and still not protrude above the 
 ground. Where the subsoil is not very light it is necessary to 
 stir the ground to a depth of fifteen inches. The best way to 
 accomplish this is to plow the land six to eight inches deep with an 
 ordinary plow. It is not desirable to turn up a thick layer of sub- 
 soil that has not been disturbed before. The ordinary plow should 
 be followed by a subsoil plow working in the furrow and loosening 
 the soil seven to nine inches below the bottom of the furrow. As 
 some misunderstanding exists regarding the subsoil plow, a figure 
 is here given of one of the most satisfactory forms. (Fig. 2.) It 
 
23 
 
 does not turn the soil, but loosens it. It does not bring’ a heavy layer 
 of raw subsoil to the surface but leaves the subsoil in position, but in 
 such a condition that air and water readily penetrate it, and the tap 
 root of the beet can easily make the required downward growth. 
 It is essential that the soil be so prepared that this downward 
 growth can take place, for otherwise the beet root will extend above 
 the ground; and all that part of the root above ground is worthless 
 for sugar making, and must be removed when the beets are topped. 
 
 It is generally recommended that this plowing should take place 
 in the fall. This is especially necessary if stable manure is to be 
 applied. If stable manure be applied in the spring it usually causes 
 a rank growth of beets which have a low sugar content and impure 
 juices, owing to delay in ripening. Even when stable manure is 
 applied in the fall it should be well rotted. 
 
 Tittle has been done in America in experimenting with commer- 
 cial fertilizers on beets. Such experimental facts as have come 
 under my observation seem to indicate that the results obtained did 
 not justify the cost involved. Yet the question is a local one de- 
 pending on the nature and present fertility of each soil and on the 
 amount and distribution of the rainfall. 
 
 Seeding. — The land should be harrowed deeply in the spring and 
 a thoroughly prepared seed-bed made as soon as the condition of 
 the ground will permit. For this state the planting time should be 
 from April 1st to May 15tli. The rows should be from 18 to 24 
 inches apart, according to the richness of the soil. The richer the 
 soil is the closer the rows should be. This closeness of the rows on 
 rich soils will prevent the growth of large beets containing little 
 sugar. 
 
 Fifteen pounds of seed to the acre is a fair amount. On the 
 Station farm the seed was drilled in with a Planet Jr. hand drill. 
 The ground should be given fiat cultivation to keep down weeds 
 until the plants have developed four leaves. 
 
 Thinning and cultivation —When the plants have developed four 
 leaves they should be thinned out so as to stand six or eight inches 
 apart in the rows. This should be understood to be the average 
 distance between the plants. The most vigorous plants should be 
 
24 
 
 left, even if the distribution in the rows is somewhat uneven. This 
 work of thinning - requires care and considerable hand work and is 
 the work that is most objected to on the part of farmers. By using 
 a hoe with a blade four inches wide much time was saved in thinning 
 plants on the Station plats. Cuts across the row were made every 
 six inches with the hoe and the remainder of the work of removing 
 weeds and unnecessary beet plants done by hand. 
 
 After thinning, the ground should be cultivated often enough to 
 keep down weeds and maintain a mulch of loose earth, until the 
 plants are large enough to shade the ground well. At the last cul- 
 tivation it may be well to throw the earth toward the rows if the 
 roots exhibit a tendency to extend above the ground. 
 
 Harvesting. — Two methods of harvesting beets are used. In one 
 the tops and crowns of the beet are first removed by a sharp hoe of 
 special construction, and then the roots are removed from the 
 ground by plowing out, or by pulling or by a special tool drawn by 
 horses, constructed somewhat on the principle of a potato digger. 
 In the other method the roots are first removed from the ground and 
 the crowns and tops removed by a heavy knife. 
 
 It is generally stated that the beets are ready for the harvest 
 when the leaves change in color from the dark green to a yellowish 
 green, and the outer circles of leaves bend down forming a ri ng of 
 leaves about the beet. Although beets have been left in the ground 
 until the end of December, I have never seen them exhibit these 
 signs of ripeness, and the amount of sugar in the beet is the better 
 guide. I would not advise harvesting before November 1st. Tables 
 showing the condition of beets at different dates will be given 
 later on. 
 
 Special tools.— Special tools have been devised for nearly every 
 operation involved in raising beets. The only ones that are neces- 
 sary for experimental work, involving from one to five acres of beets, 
 are the subsoil plow, the usual selling price of which is $13, and a 
 good hand drill to plant the seed. Both of these implements are 
 of value for use oil other crops. Reports from California indicate 
 that the removal of the beets from the ground by horse power is 
 successful. 
 
 Size and yield. — It is not desirable to raise large beets. Those 
 
25 
 
 weighing from one to two pounds are considered best for sugar 
 making, and factories generally refuse to take beets weighing over 
 four pounds. The reason of this is that very large beets contain 
 relatively little sugar and a relatively large amount of soluble matter 
 not sugar, which makes the extraction of the sugar from such beets 
 unprofitable. The size of the beets is kept down by thick planting. 
 The average yield per acre for California, Nebraska and Utah in 
 1892 was 9.8 tons of topped beets per acre, 10.5 in California. 9.0 in 
 Utah and 7.8 in Nebraska. The season in Nebraska was unusually 
 dry, which in part accounts for the light yield there. Prom the 
 tonnage per acre it would appear that the average weight of the 
 beets are only about one-half pound. Small beets, however, are 
 richer in sugar than large ones, as is shown in fig. 3, page 26, 
 and in this respect the beet crop has an advantage over most other 
 crops. For, while a short corn crop due to drought gives corn of 
 poor quality, a short beet crop due to the same cause will give 
 beets of better quality for which an increased price may be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 Side products. — The crowns and tops of the beets have a high 
 feeding value for stock. After the sugar is extracted from the 
 sliced beet there remains a pulp which was formerly used for fertil- 
 izing purposes, but which is now used to feed large herds of cattle 
 kept near the factories. The lime refuse from the factories is also 
 used as a fertilizer, although its usefulness must depend largely on 
 the physical condition of the land. 
 
 Indirect advantages.— The culture of the sugar beet cannot be 
 carried on’continuously on the same land, but the beet crop must 
 be one of a series of crops in a rotation. The benefits of a system 
 of crop rotation are becoming so well known as to require no fur- 
 ther notice here. The subsoiling and special cultivation absolutely 
 necessary for the beet crop extend their benefits over the whole 
 rotation, and in countries where the beet industry has been estab- 
 lished the crop-producing power of the soil has been notably in- 
 creased without the use of additional quantities of manures. This 
 effect of deep tillage will be especially noticeable on lands that have 
 been long used for corn and wheat and have received the customary 
 shallow plowing. The observations on increased crop following 
 
2 6 
 
 
 PuftntfE Univ. Exper. Rta.. Bull. 40. 
 
 15 Large beets. 
 Weight 40 lbs. 
 Contain 4lbs. 4oz. 
 of sugar. 
 
 39 Medium beets. 
 Weight 40 lbs. 
 Contain 41bs. 14oz. 
 of sugar. 
 
 96 Small beets. 
 Weight 40 lbs. 
 Contain Slbs. lOoz. 
 of sugar. 
 
27 
 
 beet culture relate principally to the wheat crop. Experiments 
 conducted in Indiana on deep plowing- for corn show that it produces 
 a marked increase in crop, although the increase may not appear 
 until one winter has passed after the deep plowing. 
 
 RESULTS IN INDIANA DURING 1893 . 
 
 The season. — The conditions of the weather were unusual and in 
 most sections of the state very unfavorable. The following table 
 gives the average weather conditions of the state for twelve years 
 for the growing season, the conditions during 1893 and the depart- 
 ure from the average: 
 
 TABLE II. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 RAINFALL. 
 
 
 
 1893. 1893. 
 
 
 
 1893. 
 
 1893. 
 
 Months. 
 
 Aver’ gel 1893. 
 
 Above Below 
 
 Aver’ge 
 
 1893 
 
 Above 
 
 I Below 
 
 
 
 average average 
 
 
 
 average 
 
 average 
 
 April 
 
 . . . 52.2 52. 4 
 
 0.2 ... 
 
 ~3~82~ 
 
 ~ 8 ~ 46 ~ 
 
 4.64 
 
 
 May 
 
 . . . 61.4 60.0 
 
 ... ! 1.4 
 
 4.40 
 
 4.46 
 
 .06 
 
 
 June 
 
 ... 71.9 171.9 
 
 0 I 0 
 
 4.25 
 
 3.45 
 
 
 o.’so 
 
 July 
 
 ... 74. 6 '77.9 
 
 3 . ^ 
 
 3.13 
 
 1.83 
 
 
 1.30 
 
 August. 
 
 ... 71.5 72.3 
 
 0.8 | ... 
 
 3.08 
 
 1.02 
 
 
 2.06 
 
 September . 
 
 . . . 64.9 68.2 
 
 3.3 
 
 3.13 
 
 3.31 
 
 6: is 
 
 
 October. . . 
 
 . ... 53.2 154.4 
 
 1.2 ... 
 
 2.55 
 
 3.53 
 
 0.79 
 
 
 November. 
 
 . . . . 40 9 40.2 
 
 ... 0.7 
 
 3.82 
 
 2.99 
 
 
 0.83 
 
 It will be noticed that the temperature for July, August. Sep- 
 tember and October was unusually high; the high temperature and 
 excessive rainfall of October were especially bad, as they caused 
 a second growth of the beet and prevented ripening and storing up 
 of sugar. The rainfall in April was the highest on record for forty 
 years, while the very low rainfall of June, July and August did 
 serious damage to all crops. The August rainfall in northern coun- 
 ties is the lowest on record; in the central and southern couties the 
 lowest occurred in 1889. 
 
 November was favorable to the ripening of the crop for the first 
 two weeks, but the last half of the month was unusually cold and 
 in the central and northern counties beets could not be left in the 
 ground after the fifteenth, althongh in ordinary years they would 
 be safe from frost until the end of the month, 
 
TABLE III— RESULTS OF ANALYSES OF SU( 
 
 NAME. 
 
 Post Office. 
 
 County. 
 
 Variety. 
 
 
 
 Porter 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 
 Furnessville . _ 
 
 
 
 
 44 
 
 Kn a.ner 
 
 
 
 <( 
 
 
 J II. Little 
 
 
 Lake 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 
 
 Kosciusko. . . . 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 W. J. Hand 
 
 
 Marshall 
 
 Knauer 
 
 
 
 Desprez 
 
 M. A. Eisenhorn . . . 
 A. M. Taylor 
 
 In wood 
 
 Allen 
 
 Vilmorin.. . .. — 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 A M. Taylor 
 
 Thurman. . .. 
 Fort Wayne 
 Liberty Centre 
 Treaty.... 
 Lincolnville. . . . 
 
 Allen 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 John Sprankle ... 
 H. V. L. Garrett. . 
 
 
 Knauer . 
 
 Wells 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 Wa.ba.sh. 
 
 K n a.ner 
 
 John Kulb . . 
 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 Lewis C. Sheppard. 
 Snead Thomas 
 
 | Carl ns City 
 
 Randolph 
 
 Knauer . . 
 
 j Marion 
 
 Grant 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 M. M. Moody . 
 
 Sftlmfl,. . . 
 
 Dela.wa.re. . . . 
 
 Desprez 
 
 W. P. Gates 
 
 New Lancester. 
 
 S h arpsvil Ip 
 
 Tipton 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 W. A. Maze 
 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 E M Smalley . . 
 
 Shannondale. . . 
 Irvington 
 
 Montgomery . 
 
 Marion 
 
 Shelby 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 J. G. Kingsbury.. 
 C. F. Muth 
 
 
 Morristown 
 
 a 
 
 T. J. Moss 
 
 Ash boro 
 
 Clay ... 
 
 iFra.nklin .... 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 A. W, Butler .... 
 A. W. Butler 
 
 I Brook vi lie 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 
 Fran klin 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 C. D. Faris 
 
 Bloomington . . . 
 Lawrenceburg. 
 
 Patriot 
 
 ( Madison 
 
 | Monroe 
 
 H. S. Nowlin 
 
 Will Bunger 
 
 Dearborn 
 
 iSwitzerland... 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 17 M, K te wart 
 
 I.Tpft'prson . 
 
 44 
 
 E. W. Fisher 
 
 [Cory don .. 
 
 Harrison 
 
 >4 
 
 Agr. Exp. Station.. 
 
 LaFayette 
 
 Tippecanoe. ( 
 1 1 
 1 
 
 Bul. Desprez Richest.. 
 
 F. Desprez Richest 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 
 
 
 S. LeGrand Im. White 
 Vilmorin 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 | 
 
 1 mperial 
 
 
 
 l 
 
 Red Top 
 
 
 
 Knauer 
 
 
 
 
 V ilmorin . . . 
 
 
 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 
 
 
 Knauer. 
 
 
 
 
 Desprez 
 
 
 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Knauer 
 
 Desnrez 
 
 
 
 Klein wanzlehen 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aver- 
 
 age 
 
 weight 
 
 oz. 
 
 Deg. 
 
 Brix. 
 
 Per 
 cent, 
 sugar 
 in juice 
 
 Purity, 
 
 33.3 
 
 17.2 
 
 13.9 
 
 81.9 
 
 28.1 
 
 14 1 
 
 10.5 
 
 74.4 
 
 12.4 
 
 14.3 
 
 12.3 
 
 86.0 
 
 13.2 
 
 13.4 
 
 10.5 
 
 78.3 
 
 7.6 
 
 17.6 
 
 13.0 
 
 73.9 
 
 15.3 
 
 15 6 
 
 12.2 
 
 78.2 
 
 17.7 
 
 16 2 
 
 12.3 
 
 75.9 
 
 13.3 
 
 15.7 
 
 l2. 1 
 
 77.1 
 
 6.4 
 
 | 15.4 
 
 13.2 
 
 85.1 
 
 14 6 
 
 16.8 
 
 13.0 
 
 77.4 
 
 15.8 
 
 17.5 
 
 13.7 
 
 78.3 
 
 23.9 
 
 13.2 
 
 10 2 
 
 77.3 
 
 20.2 
 
 14.1 
 
 10.1 
 
 71.6 
 
 4.4 
 
 14.7 
 
 10.8 
 
 73.9 
 
 7.9 
 
 16.7 
 
 12.1 
 
 72.4 
 
 16.5 
 
 14.5 
 
 12.0 
 
 82.4 
 
 9 4 
 
 17.0 
 
 14.4 
 
 84.7 
 
 15.0 
 
 12 4 
 
 9.6 
 
 77.4 
 
 5.8 
 
 15.8 
 
 12.3 
 
 77.8 
 
 18 5 
 
 14.2 
 
 11.5 
 
 80.9 
 
 12.7 
 
 15.9 
 
 11.9 
 
 74.8 
 
 16.6 
 
 21.1 
 
 16.6 
 
 78.8 
 
 10 2 
 
 16.4 
 
 12.2 
 
 74.4 
 
 21.7 
 
 13.4 
 
 9.1 
 
 67 9 
 
 11 6 
 
 16.1 
 
 12.1 
 
 75.1 
 
 18.0 
 
 14.2 
 
 10 4 
 
 73.2 
 
 18.5 
 
 17.2 
 
 14.6 
 
 84.9 
 
 8. 
 
 15.6 
 
 12.7 
 
 81.4 
 
 25 6 
 
 16.4 
 
 13.5 
 
 82.3 
 
 15.3 
 
 15.2 
 
 11.5 
 
 75.7 
 
 7.1 
 
 13.1 
 
 8.5 
 
 64.9 
 
 7 3 
 
 15.4 
 
 12 2 
 
 78.0 
 
 7.0 
 
 16.8 
 
 14.8 
 
 88.1 
 
 6.6 
 
 15.1 
 
 12.1 
 
 80.1 
 
 4.9 
 
 15.6 
 
 13.6 
 
 87.1 
 
 6.0 
 
 15.6 
 
 13.2 
 
 84.6 
 
 5.4 
 
 14.0 
 
 12.3 
 
 87 9 
 
 7.6 
 
 14.8 
 
 12.6 
 
 85.1 
 
 6.6 
 
 i4.8 
 
 10.5 
 
 69.9 
 
 3. .6 
 
 16.3 
 
 14 4 
 
 88.3 
 
 3.6 
 
 16.5 
 
 14.2 
 
 86.0 
 
 6.2 
 
 16.7 
 
 14 0 
 
 84.1 
 
 6 9 
 
 15.8 
 
 13.1 
 
 82.9 
 
 6.5 
 
 16. 7 
 
 13.7 
 
 82.3 
 
 6 4 
 
 17.4 
 
 14.2 
 
 81.6 
 
 6.7 
 
 16.7 
 
 14.2 
 
 85.0 
 
 8.0 
 
 16.3 
 
 12.5 
 
 76.7 
 
 5.7 
 
 16.0 
 
 12.8 
 
 80.0 
 
 6.9 
 
 16.6 
 
 12 9 
 
 77 7 
 
 Lig! 
 
 San 
 
 Bla 
 
 San 
 
 Gar 
 
 Mu< 
 
 Dai 
 
 Bla 
 
 Cla; 
 
 Lig! 
 
 Cla; 
 
 Loa 
 
 Bla.' 
 
 Met 
 
 San 
 
 San 
 
 Cla; 
 
 Loo 
 
 Bla' 
 
 Lig I 
 Ligl 
 
\R BEETS, RAISED IN INDIANA DURING 1893 
 
 Kind of soil. 
 
 Tons 
 
 per 
 
 acre. 
 
 Depth 
 
 plow- 
 
 ing-, 
 
 in. 
 
 Dis- 
 
 tance 
 
 bet. 
 
 rows, 
 
 in. 
 
 Date of 
 planting- 
 
 Date of 
 harvest. 
 
 Per 
 
 cent. 
 
 scab. 
 
 Pcrc’t. 
 
 bacter- 
 
 ial. 
 
 disease 
 
 Previous crops. 
 
 
 21 
 
 8 
 
 18 
 
 May 8 
 
 Oct. 17 
 
 30 
 
 0 
 
 Corn 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 18 
 
 6 
 
 •* 23 
 
 50 
 
 12 
 
 Garden . . 
 
 (chip manure). 
 
 
 6 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 
 Uio manure). . . 
 
 
 6 
 
 18 
 
 “ 
 
 
 20 
 
 0 
 
 ** 
 
 
 16 
 
 8 
 
 18 
 
 “ 20 
 
 Nov. 17 
 
 20 
 
 o 
 
 Pasture 
 
 
 
 Tandy loam 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 20 
 
 “ 18 
 
 Oct. 26 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 None 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 18 
 
 “ 4 
 
 Nov. 4 
 
 33 
 
 6 
 
 Beets and Carrots 
 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 Apr. 20 
 
 Oct. 20 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Beets 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 30 
 
 
 16 
 
 0 
 
 Beets 
 
 ! 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 36 
 
 June 1 
 
 “ 1 
 
 0 
 
 o 
 
 Turnips 
 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 18 
 
 
 Nov. 1 
 
 0 
 
 o 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 s.andy loam 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 36 
 
 May 6 
 
 Oct. 26 
 
 0 
 
 20 
 
 Rye 
 
 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 18 
 
 •*' 8 
 
 “ 27 
 
 0 
 
 30 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 tandy black loam — 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 18 
 
 “ 31 
 
 “ 23 
 
 40 
 
 0 
 
 Clover 
 
 jam 
 
 21 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 “ 10 
 
 “ 19 
 
 25 
 
 0 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 36 
 
 “ 13 
 
 16 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 Corn and Melons. 
 
 roam 
 
 
 8 
 
 23 
 
 “ 17 
 
 Nov. 1 
 
 35 
 
 0 
 
 Corn 
 
 in clay 
 
 L 27 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 “ 20 
 
 Oct. 17 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 Corn 
 
 Jloam 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 
 20 
 
 “ 20 
 
 Nov. 7 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 66 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 36 
 
 3 
 
 “ 15 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Beans 
 
 llside 
 
 
 li 
 
 36 
 
 June 17 
 
 “ 14 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Corn . . 
 
 dark loam 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 21 
 
 May 20 
 
 “ 2 
 
 30 
 
 0 
 
 H ay 
 
 ioam 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 22 
 
 “ 19 
 
 “ 1 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Timothy 
 
 
 28 
 
 9 
 
 20 
 
 “ 15 
 
 6 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Sweet Potatoes.. 
 
 lay loam 
 
 21 
 
 9 
 
 15 
 
 >• 22 
 
 “ 2 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 .lay loam 
 
 
 12 
 
 20 
 
 *• 20 
 
 J 
 
 
 
 Corn 
 
 
 9 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 Apr. 7 
 
 “ 2 
 
 37 
 
 6 
 
 Tomatoes 
 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 28 
 
 0 
 
 •• 
 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 44 
 
 (( 
 
 21 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 23 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 44 
 
 23 
 
 23 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 T4 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 23 
 
 12 
 
 “ 
 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 « 
 
 25 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 ** 
 
 13 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 44 
 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 “ 1 
 
 
 9 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 May 4 
 
 44 
 
 50 
 
 2 
 
 Beans 
 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 63 
 
 1 
 
 Onions )■ 
 
 
 7 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 
 44 
 
 31 
 
 1 
 
 Melons j 
 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 44 
 
 44 
 
 27 
 
 2 
 
 Pototoes 
 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 44 24 
 
 
 24 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 44 
 
 
 26 
 
 1 
 
 “ 
 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 18 
 
 44 
 
 6 * 
 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 14 | 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 3 
 
 “ 
 
 Profit- 
 able at 
 $4 per 
 ton? 
 
 No 
 
 Yes 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 f Injured by drought, 
 { blister beetle, and 
 
 | second growth. 
 
 No Injured by b lister beetle 
 No 
 
 No 
 
 Yes 
 
 No 
 
 Yes 
 
 No 
 
 ? 
 
 Yes 
 
 Injured by moles. 
 
 No 
 
 No 
 
 Yes 
 
 [by blister beetles. 
 Imperfect stand. Injured 
 
 Injured by blister beetle 
 
 [ed. 
 
 Beets considerably wilt- 
 
 [by blister beetles. 
 Imp&rfeet stand. Injured 
 Injured by b. b. and g. h. 
 injured by blister beetle. 
 
 [before Sept. 10.. 
 Beets made no growth 
 
 I Seed raised on Station 
 ■j farm. 
 
30 
 
 Taken altogether a more unfavorable set of weather conditions 
 lias not been experienced for thirty years. 
 
 Seed sent into every county. — Early last spring the station fur- 
 nished free beet seed, of the best quality, to 167 farmers, seed being 
 sent to every county in the state. Most of the parties to whom 
 seed was sent had sent a request for it; but in a few cases 
 seed was sent with a request that the farmers would raise the beets 
 in order to make the list of counties complete. 
 
 From these 167 farmers 26 samples were received and 21 reported 
 failure, either from drought or insect attacks, while a few did not 
 plant the seed owing to heavy spring rains. From 120 farmers no 
 reply whatever has been received to the letters asking them to 
 report success or failure. The sample called for ten beets of aver- 
 age weight of the crop. The information called for appears on 
 page 31, which is a reproduction of the blank sent beet growers. 
 
PURDUE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
 LAFAYETTE, INI). 
 
 FORM FOR DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE SUGAR BEETS 
 
 Laboratory No Received at Laboratory 
 
 Each sample of beets sent for gratuitous examination must be raised according- to 
 directions of seed package and must be accompanied by one of these forms, with proper 
 blanks below filled out full}’ and legibly. The filled out form, if enclosed with the sam- 
 ple, will serve as a label. 
 
 Date of taking this sample 
 
 Date of shipment 
 
 1. Crop grown on ground the preceding year 
 
 2. Character of soil 
 
 3. How deep was the ground plowed?. 
 
 4. Exact area of plot planted 
 
 5. Variety of seed sown 
 
 6. Date of planting 
 
 7. How long before the plants came up? 
 
 8. Distance between rows 
 
 9. Distance between beets in a row 
 
 10. When did yon thin out? 
 
 11. How many times did you use cultivator? 
 
 12. How many times did you hoe? 
 
 13.. Give date of hoeing 
 
 14. Give exact area of plot harvested 
 
 15. Number of pounds of beets raised on this plot 
 
 16. Number of beets on plot harvested 
 
 17. What fertilizer, if any, used 
 
 18. Date of harvesting 
 
 19. Entire cost 
 
 20. Do you think from your experience of this year that you could afford to grow 
 
 beets at $4 per ton? 
 
 County Post Office 
 
 Sign here 
 
 Samples should be shipped before November 15. 
 
32 
 
 As a rule the blanks were better filled out than in previous 
 years. This is especially true in regard to weig'ht and number of 
 beets harvested, and to the area of the plat. 
 
 The mere analysis of a sample of beets is of little interest or 
 value unless the fullest information in regard to cultural conditions 
 and yield is furnished. 
 
 The results of the analyses of samples from all parts of the 
 state are given in table III, pages 28 and 29. The analyses of the 
 beets harvested at the Station on November 2nd are also included 
 for purposes of comparison. 
 
 Explanations and remarks on table. — The “degrees Brix” means the 
 reading of a special instrument for taking the density of the beet 
 juice. The actual densities were taken with a Westphal balance 
 and calculated to degrees Brix. The purpose of this part of the 
 work is to get the data for calculating the relative purity of the 
 juice. The purity of juice means the percentage of sugar contained 
 in the solids of the juice. It is obtained by multiplying the per- 
 centage of sugar in the juice by 100 and dividing by the degrees 
 Brix. The degrees Brix are supposed to represent approximately 
 the per cent, of total solid matter in the juice. If all the solid 
 matter were sugar this would be true. But where solids other than 
 sugar are present it is only approximately true. Hence the result 
 in the purity column is the apparent purity. The absolute purity 
 of the juice can only be found by drying and weighing the total 
 solid matter of the juice and dividing 100 times the sugar percentage 
 by the percentage of solids so found. This is too tedious for ordi- 
 nary work, and so the apparent purity is used. It can be compared 
 with purity as usually reported in other writings. 
 
 In nearly all sections the growth of the plants was suspended 
 during the months of July, August and the early part of September. 
 When the rains came the plants took on a new growth which was 
 not finished at the time when most of the samples were harvested. 
 In view of the state of the plant at harvest the amount of sugar and 
 purity of the juice is better than was expected. Provided the beets 
 are of fair size, the higher the amount of sugar and the purity the 
 better. Beets containing 12 % of sugar and purity of 75 can be 
 worked at a profit with the modern machinery. More than two- 
 thirds of the samples received come up to this standard. This 
 result is certainly encouraging in view of the extremely unfavorable 
 conditions during the growing season. 
 
 A record of the amount of scab and bacterial disease observed 
 was kept and the amounts found in samples received were the same 
 as last year. The previous crop seems to have little influence on the 
 amount of scab. On the Station plats the amount of scab was 
 
33 
 
 somewhat greater and the amount of bacterial disease much less 
 than last year. 
 
 In judging 1 of the result the average weight of the beets, the 
 sugar content and the purity should be kept in view. It should be 
 kept in mind that the tonnage is calculated from small plats, and 
 so is only approximate. The tonnage is also for beets with tops 
 removed but the crowns not removed. It was believed that better 
 comparative results could be secured in this way than to have the 
 crowns removed by persons not accustomed to the work. 
 
 Injury from insects. — Much damage was reported caused by the 
 blister beetle ( Epicauta marginata, Pabr). Two broods appeared 
 on the Station plats but were readily destroyed by an application of 
 arsenite of ammonia, using one ounce of the strong solution to 
 three gallons of water. Probably a more dilute solution would do 
 the work with less risk of damage to the foliage. As the insects 
 generally invade the plat at one side, it is not necessary to treat the 
 whole field of beets, but only that part on which the insects are 
 working, and a narrow belt of beets lying in the direction toward 
 which the insects are working. It is well to begin on this narrow 
 belt first and work toward the part already affected by the insects. 
 In this way the insects are driven backward rather than toward the 
 part of the field not yet attacked. Great care should be observed in 
 using arsenite of ammonia. It is the most poisonous of all insecti- 
 cides, since the arsenic is present in large quantities and is all in 
 solution. 
 
 It should be noticed that in stating whether the beets could be 
 grown at a profit of $4.00 per ton the grower was asked to base his 
 opinion on his season's work. 
 
 Results obtained on the Station farm.— The soil of the Station farm 
 is underlaid with loose gravel to a great depth and hence is partic- 
 ularly susceptible to injury from drought. This season the corn 
 crop of this farm was a failure, the yields being from two io 26 
 bushels per acre on different parts of the farm. In a favorable 
 season the land will raise 70 bushels per acre. 
 
 The weather record for the growing season appears in table IV. 
 The average is derived from continuous observations for 14 years. 
 
34 
 
 TABLE IV. 
 
 TEMPERATURE, cle 
 
 g. F. 
 
 i 
 
 RAINFALL. Inches. 
 
 Months. 
 
 Aver’ge 
 
 1893. 
 
 1893. 
 
 Above 
 
 1893. 
 
 Below 
 
 Aver’ge 
 
 1893. 
 
 1893. 
 
 Above 
 
 1893. 
 
 Below 
 
 
 
 
 aver ’ge 
 
 aver’ ge 
 
 
 aver’ge 
 
 aver’ge. 
 
 April 
 
 50.4 
 
 50.3 
 
 
 ~o.T 
 
 |3^86~ 
 
 9.65 
 
 TtT 
 
 
 May 
 
 60.7 
 
 58.0 
 
 
 2.7 
 
 4.96 
 
 3.03 
 
 
 1.93 
 
 June 
 
 Julv 
 
 70.9 
 
 74.3 
 
 71.6 
 
 77.7 
 
 0.7* 
 
 3.4 
 
 
 ! 4.68 
 3.38 
 
 1.93 
 
 1.10 
 
 
 2.75 
 
 2.28 
 
 August 
 
 71.8 
 
 72.3 
 
 0.5 
 
 
 3.21 
 
 0.77 
 
 
 2.44 
 
 September .... 
 
 65.0 
 
 67.4 
 
 2.9 
 
 
 2.44- 
 
 2.74 
 
 0.30 
 
 
 October 
 
 51.7 
 
 54.3 
 
 2.6 
 
 
 2.44 
 
 1.57 
 
 
 6.87 
 
 November 
 
 38.2 
 
 38.5 
 
 0.3 
 
 
 3.32 
 
 2.42 
 
 
 0.90 
 
 The beets made practically no growth from July 1st to Septem- 
 ber 25th. 
 
 The following points were under investigation: 
 
 Effect of time of planting. 
 
 Effect of time of harvest. 
 
 Effect of manure. 
 
 Sugar contents of smooth and scabby beets. 
 
 Effect of looseyiing beets some time before removal from the ground. 
 
 Test of varieties. 
 
 Home grown and, foreign seed. 
 
 All the beets raised were small, as will be seen from the average 
 weights given in table III. It is noticeable that the Knauer variety, 
 which has in former years given the lowest average weight, gave 
 the highest average weight this year. 
 
 Time of planting and harvest. — The results of the experiments on 
 time of planting and harvesting appear in table V, page 35. The 
 beets planted on May 24 were badly formed owing to the soil having 
 become so hard on account of drought. 
 
 The harvest of October 5th found the beets just starting a 
 second growth. The results show that there was an increase in 
 the size of the beet, but that the relative amount of sugar decreased 
 during October, and the purity was reduced. During the first half 
 of November the beets gained in size and in sugar, but the increase 
 in solids not sugar was also considerable, The highest purity was 
 found at the first harvest before the effect of the second growth had 
 shown itself. 
 
*Beets were scabby. 
 
 re 3 
 0*^3 
 3 n 
 
 O a) 
 
 T5 t- 
 
 
 gST 
 
 §.? 
 
 a p 
 
 CL 
 
 K* 
 
 |d* 
 
 P re i_j 
 
 eh ss 
 
 5 0 )t! 
 N N i 
 rt> ,_, 2 
 
 cr ?o N 
 
 § n W 
 
 <e o 
 t: a* 
 ^ re 
 
 73 
 
 pass u.wojJg-auiojj 
 _ > 
 
 <1 <1 <1 -1 --7 <7 
 
 si* 2 srr:P 
 
 g 3 ^j 
 
 t 1 re 
 
 a 3 
 
 3 o 
 
 — "CM rj — 
 
 TO TO TO TO 
 -P -P -P -P -P -u 
 
 a 
 
 re 
 
 72 
 
 *T3 
 
 '1 
 
 re 
 
 N 
 
 ss 
 
 fr ^*. 
 
 p p 
 
 *<! 
 
 a ci: 
 
 re re 
 a* cr 
 re re 
 
 > 
 
 "U 
 
 : : -t 
 
 05 tO tO tfh hP KP 05 
 
 a to co os o os os 
 
 to p. 05 p m u* 
 -7 05 >P h-* 05 to 
 
 M - m w to 05 to 
 
 C O 05 O 05 to O* 
 
 C to H to OJ to 
 
 00 -7 P- Or tO 00 
 
 CN hP 05 O' on 
 to CO >P >P iP 
 
 to to 05 to 5C 
 -7 0 OO^ 
 
 00 CC tO GO OO 20 CO 
 0 0 0 0-701-* 
 
 00 00 00 00 00 00 
 
 or -7 a* oo a; >p 
 
 oc oc oc oo oc 
 
 to o 00 -• 
 
 
 0000^00 O O t— 1 Cl 05 to 
 
 CO CM *7 I- 1 
 
 05 05 P P P hp P 
 « CO t2 00 O' ^ M 
 
 tP O' P >P 05 tO 
 -7 -7 00 i— 00 00 
 
 05 >P 05 05 O' 
 00 O -7 O' 05 
 
 O H H M to to to — ‘ to to M 
 
 02 *7 00 03 O' O' O CCOOCT 
 
 O M to M 05 
 oo os o : oo 
 
 5,75 
 
 *’n> 
 
 -7 00 00 -7 00 00 00 
 CO 05 00 03 03 O' 
 
 -7 oo oo oo oo oo 
 00 to 05 I—* O 05 
 
 — 7 tO ►— 1 tP tO — 7 (— 1 
 
 to i— * co O' >p co to oo 03 o' to 
 
 00 
 
 ^ O' O' O' 03 O' 
 00O 03 03 H00t^ 
 
 Cl Cl C3 Cl -7 O' 
 05 -7 0 03 4^00 
 
 tO tO 05 05 tO ^ tO 
 Cl W to 03 M 00 to 
 
 to P to to p 05 
 O' to 00 CO to 
 
 Cl Cl Cl >P C5 
 -7 -7 O' 00 05 
 
 CC tMf* O 4 * 
 -70t0 0'4* 
 
 00 00 00 00 00 00 -7 
 O' -7 4* -7 O 00 00 
 
 - ! 00 00 -7 00 00 
 Cl O' Cl -7 — to 
 
 00 00 00 Cl OO 
 to P Cl CO 00 
 
 03 M 1-1 M o 
 
 O —7 03 CO 
 
 ►P O' Ip 03 03 —7 03 Cl —7 —7 —7 —7 03 -7 CO 03 O' 03 
 
 CO 02 M -7 H to ® tO H O' -7 CO OO-7C0H 
 
 h -1 to h-* 05 hP hfh 05 
 
 00 O' to 00 O Cl -7 
 
 05 P 05 P P 05 
 tO h-> CO 05 i-> 00 
 
 -7 00 -7 00 00 00 00 
 CO O CO 05 03 O' 
 
 00 00 00 -7 00 
 CO h- 1 (— 1 h- 1 50 •— 1 
 
 05 O' 4* t5 W 
 Cl O' o o c 
 
 -7 00 00 00 00 
 CO h- 1 05 I— 1 05 
 
 tO h- p -7 00 P O' O' CO 05 —7 Cl —7 >P C3 00 h-* 00 
 
 > 
 
 cd 
 
 r 
 
 < 
 
 Date of Harvest. 
 
36 
 
 Effect of manure. — The land intended for beets was given a light 
 plowing in the fall, and to the greater part of it was applied a 
 moderate dressing of barnyard manure containing considerable un- 
 rotted straw. This manure was left on top of the ground until 
 spring, and then the land was given a deep plowing and subsoiling, 
 the manure being completely turned under. A strip of land twenty 
 feet wide received no manure, but was given the same plowing as 
 the .other. 
 
 On the manured plat the stand of beets was perfect, but on the 
 plat receiving no manure the stand was very defective. Therefore 
 no attempt was made to compare the yields on the two plats. The 
 plants were tended alike on the two plats and harvested November 
 15th. The table shows the results obtained. Samples having- the 
 average weight were selected from the two plats and the analyses 
 of these samples appear in the same horizontal line. Owing to the 
 very imperfect stand some of the beets on the unmanured plat grew 
 much larger than any of those on the manured plat and the analyses 
 and weight of these are also given, These larger beets were of 
 desirable market size. 
 
 TABLE VI. 
 
 VARIETY. 
 
 Date of 
 planting' 
 
 Av. wt. 
 OZ. 
 
 
 MANURE. 
 
 
 no ; 
 
 MANURE. 
 
 Knauer 
 
 Apri 
 
 a 7 
 
 9.7 
 
 15. 
 
 .9 
 
 12. 
 
 .9 
 
 81. 
 
 1 
 
 15. 
 
 .6 
 
 12. 
 
 .3 
 
 78.8 
 
 Knauer 
 
 7 
 
 16.8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. 
 
 .1 
 
 12. 
 
 .9 
 
 78.8 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 
 7 
 
 6.3 
 
 16. 
 
 . 7 
 
 14. 
 
 .9 
 
 83. 
 
 .8 
 
 17. 
 
 .6 
 
 14. 
 
 .6 
 
 82.9 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 
 7 
 
 16.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 17. 
 
 .3 
 
 14. 
 
 .1 
 
 81.5 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 
 7 
 
 7.1 
 
 16. 
 
 .1 
 
 13. 
 
 .5 
 
 83. 
 
 8 
 
 16. 
 
 ,2 
 
 14. 
 
 ,1 
 
 87.0 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 “ 
 
 7 
 
 14.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. 
 
 !8 
 
 13. 
 
 ,0 
 
 82.3 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 May 
 
 4 
 
 9.8 
 
 19. 
 
 .0 
 
 15. 
 
 .5 
 
 81. 
 
 6 
 
 15. 
 
 ,8 
 
 13. 
 
 .1 
 
 82.9 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 4 
 
 15,3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. 
 
 ,3 
 
 12. 
 
 , 7 
 
 83.0 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 “ 
 
 4 
 
 9.5 
 
 17. 
 
 ,7 
 
 14. 
 
 .1 
 
 79. 
 
 6 
 
 15. 
 
 ,8 
 
 12. 
 
 ,5 
 
 79.1 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 “ 
 
 4 
 
 19.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16. 
 
 ,3 
 
 13. 
 
 ,2 
 
 80.9 
 
 Desprez 
 
 “ 
 
 4 
 
 11.3 
 
 17. 
 
 .0 
 
 13. 
 
 ,5 
 
 79. 
 
 4 
 
 15. 
 
 .5 
 
 12. 
 
 ,7 
 
 81.9 
 
 Desprez 
 
 “ 
 
 4 
 
 10.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. 
 
 9 
 
 13. 
 
 ,6 
 
 85.5 
 
 Knauer 
 
 “ 
 
 4 
 
 11.5 
 
 16. 
 
 ,9 
 
 13. 
 
 ,8 
 
 81. 
 
 7 
 
 16. 
 
 ,3 
 
 13. 
 
 ,1 
 
 80.4 
 
 Knauer 
 
 “ 
 
 4 
 
 18.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. 
 
 1 
 
 12. 
 
 4 
 
 82.1 
 
 Desprez 
 
 “ 
 
 24 
 
 10.4 
 
 17. 
 
 ,1 
 
 13. 
 
 .9 
 
 81. 
 
 3 
 
 17. 
 
 1 
 
 13. 
 
 9 
 
 81.3 
 
 Desprez 
 
 
 24 
 
 6.2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. 
 
 ,9 
 
 13. 
 
 ,1 
 
 82.4 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 1 ‘ 
 
 24 
 
 7.1 
 
 15. 
 
 ,5 
 
 14. 
 
 o 
 , ^ 
 
 81. 
 
 7 
 
 17. 
 
 ,5 
 
 14. 
 
 2 
 
 81.1 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 “ 
 
 24 
 
 3.2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18. 
 
 ,0 
 
 14. 
 
 , 7 
 
 81.7 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 “ 
 
 24 
 
 7.8 
 
 17. 
 
 2 
 
 14. 
 
 ,1 
 
 81. 
 
 9 
 
 16. 
 
 6 
 
 13. 
 
 ,6 
 
 81.9 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 “ 
 
 24 
 
 10.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16. 
 
 ,0 
 
 13. 
 
 ,0 
 
 81.3 
 
 Knauer 
 
 “ 
 
 24 
 
 9.7 
 
 16. 
 
 ,6 
 
 13. 
 
 ,2 
 
 79. 
 
 5 
 
 16. 
 
 ,9 
 
 13. 
 
 ,5 
 
 80.0 
 
 Knauer 
 
 • ‘ 
 
 24 
 
 4.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16. 
 
 ,7 
 
 13. 
 
 ,7 
 
 82.6 
 
37 
 
 While the comparison between plats having - a full stand and those 
 having an imperfect stand is not a fair one, so far as we can observe 
 from the results obtained the purity of the juice was not impaired 
 by the use of the manure applied in the fall, The perfect stand is 
 attributed to the use of the manure, since the plats received similar 
 treatment in every other respect. 
 
 Sugar content of smooth and scabby beets. — The presence of scab on 
 the samples was so often noticed that it was thought best to make 
 analyses of smooth and scabby beets to see if the sugar content 
 and the purity were influenced by the presence of the disease. A 
 large number of the beets planted on May 4th were harvested on 
 November 2nd, and from each of the varieties samples containing 
 ten smooth beets and ten scabby beets were drawn. Especial care 
 was taken to have the beets in each sample of a variety of similar 
 weight and form. The results appear in table VII. 
 
 TABLE VII. 
 
 
 Smooth beets. 
 
 SCABBY BEETS. 
 
 ■ Variety. 
 
 Degrees 
 
 Brix. 
 
 Sugar 
 in juice. 
 
 Purity. 
 
 Degrees 
 
 Brix. 
 
 lQ s jS>-‘y 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 ~T6.7 
 
 TiTT 
 
 ~83~.ir 
 
 U.8 
 
 ~T2.1T tit 
 
 Knauer 
 
 16.0 
 
 13.6 
 
 85.0 
 
 15.7 
 
 12.7 80.9 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 15.9 
 
 12.7 
 
 79.9 
 
 15.9 
 
 12.8 80.5 
 
 Despez 
 
 16.6 
 
 13.6 
 
 81.9 
 
 16.3 
 
 13.2 80.9 
 
 It will be noticed that in three out of the four cases the purity 
 and sugar contents were less in the scabby beets. The two vari- 
 eties giving the greatest difference between smooth and scabby 
 beets'were the Kleinwanzleben and Knauer. Both these varieties 
 were badly affected by scab, 50 and 63 percent, respectively. Hence 
 no difficulty was experienced in getting samples in which every beet 
 had a considerable amount of its surface covered by scab. The 
 Vilmorin and Desprez varieties had only 31 and 27 per cent, scab 
 respectively, and the surfaces of the individual beets used were not 
 so much covered with scab. In fact while ten beets of these vari- 
 eties could be secured which showed the presence of scab, it was not 
 possible to obtain a sample of either in which the beets were as 
 badly affected as those of the Kleinwanzleben or Knauer varieties. 
 
 It would seem that aside from the difficulty of cleaning scabby 
 beets there is a decided disadvantage owing to loss of sugar. 
 
Loosening beets before harvesting. — In 1891 Prof. H. H. Nicholson* 
 tried the effect of loosening- the beets with a horse beet digger some 
 time before harvesting. His purpose was to break the connection 
 between the beet and the ground and prevent the second growth. 
 At the time the experiment was made the ground was wet from 
 excessive rains. His results showed that the loosened beets seemed 
 to retain their sugar, while the beets not loosened took on a second 
 growth and the sugar content and purity seemed to decrease. 
 
 In our experiment the beets were loosened on November 13th 
 and the beets harvested on November 15th. The severe weather 
 beginning on the 15th put a stop to all work in the beet field, and 
 so the experiment could not be continued. The experiment was 
 not begun at an earlier date because the beets were gaining in 
 sugar. The results appear in table VIII. The first seven samples 
 were from home grown seed. 
 
 TABLE VIII. 
 
 VARIETY. 
 
 BEET 
 
 Degre’s 
 
 Brix. 
 
 S LOOSE 
 
 Sugar 
 in juice 
 
 ;ned. 
 
 Purity 
 
 | BEETS 
 
 Degre’s 
 
 Brix. 
 
 NOT LO( 
 
 Sugar 
 in juice 
 
 >SENED 
 
 Purity 
 
 Bulteau’s Desprez 
 
 Tbir 
 
 i3~y 
 
 "soTo" 
 
 16.2" 
 
 13/T 
 
 84.5 
 
 F. Desprez 
 
 17.1 
 
 14.8 
 
 86. 5- 
 
 17-1 
 
 14.6. 
 
 85.4 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 16.5 
 
 13.8 
 
 83.6 
 
 16.7 
 
 14.0 
 
 83.8 
 
 S DeGrand imported white . 
 
 15.5 
 
 13.2 
 
 85.1 
 
 16.4 
 
 13.8 
 
 83.7 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 15.6 
 
 13.0 
 
 83.3 
 
 14.1 
 
 11.2* 
 
 79.4 
 
 Imperial 
 
 16.9 
 
 13.9 
 
 82.2 
 
 15.6 
 
 12.5 
 
 80.1 
 
 Red Top 
 
 15.3 
 
 12.1 
 
 79.1 
 
 14.9 
 
 11.8 
 
 79.2 
 
 Kleinwanzleben 
 
 16.5 
 
 12.9 
 
 78.2 
 
 19.0 
 
 15.5 
 
 81.6 
 
 Knauer 
 
 17.0 
 
 13.5 
 
 79.4 
 
 16.9 
 
 13.8 
 
 81.7 
 
 Desprez 
 
 17.6 
 
 14.0 
 
 79.9 
 
 17.0 
 
 13.5 
 
 79.4 
 
 Vilmorin 
 
 17.0 
 
 13.5 
 
 79.4 
 
 17.7 
 
 14.1 
 
 79.6 
 
 *Beets very scabby. 
 
 The condition of the ground was quite different from that when 
 Prof. Nicholson made his experiment, as our ground was dry and 
 hard. 
 
 Varieties. — An examination of the tables will show results ob- 
 tained on different varieties. European growers sometimes recom- 
 mend Vilmorin for clayey land, Knauer for sandy land, Kleinwan- 
 zleben for medium land. At the Station farm the Kleinwanzleben 
 seems to do the best, all things considered. But with a favorable 
 season we can grow a good crop of either of the four varieties, 
 
 ’’‘Nebraska experiment station. Bulletin No. 21, pp. 19-21. 
 
39 
 
 Home grown seed. — The experiments with home grown seed* was 
 repeated this season and the beets raised were as good as from 
 foreign seed. 
 
 Samples of seed grown in Nebraska were received from the U. 
 S. Department of Agriculture, Chemical Division, too late for use. 
 They will be planted in 1894. 
 
 Cost per acre of raising beets — The areas under cultivation in 
 beets in this state have been too small to permit of finding the cost 
 per acre of raising beets for factory use. It may be of interest to 
 give the results reported from sections where the industry is already 
 established. These results are for the year 1891 and are taken from 
 
 Bulletin No. 21 of the Nebraska experiment station. The numbers 
 
 in the table were obtained from both farmers 
 
 and factories. 
 
 TABLE IX. 
 
 
 
 STATE. 
 
 - Cost per 
 ac re. 
 
 Yield per 
 acre, tons. 
 
 Nebraska, 
 
 ^ . , ,,, ,■ < series 1 
 
 Experiment Station < . 0 
 
 F | series 2 
 
 State at large 
 
 Grand Island 
 
 .... 29.14 
 
 .... 37.25 
 
 31.50 
 
 15.58 
 
 21.70 
 
 13.60 
 
 Average 
 
 33.06 
 
 20.59* 
 
 
 
 California, 
 
 Watsonville 
 
 Alvarado 
 
 . ... 26 to 40 
 .... 35.00 
 
 13.50 
 
 15.00 
 
 Average 
 
 . . . . 35.00 
 
 14.2 
 
 Utah, 
 
 T/plii 
 
 39.46 
 
 12 to 15 
 
 
 *Long tons. 
 
 
 
 In Utah $2.50 per acre for irrigation is included in the cost, and 
 
 labor was paid $1.50 per day. In all cases the beets were sold for 
 $5.00 per ton. 
 
 Future work. — The most necessary thing to be undertaken in the 
 future investigation of this problem is the cultivation of one acre 
 plats of beets by farmers in different parts of the state in order 
 that they may become familiar with the work required to raise 
 beets on a large scale and to get the yield and cost per acre. I un- 
 derstand that arrangements were made last fall between parties 
 
 *3ee Bulletin No. 43, Indiana experiment station, p. 18. 
 
40 
 
 interested in the development of the industry and 100 farmers to 
 raise one acre each, using seed and instruction that were to be 
 furnished. The Experiment Station will co-operate in this work by 
 making analyses of all samples sent us, provided the samples are 
 taken according to directions furnished by us, and are accompanied 
 by a full report of the work. 
 
 The farmers stand in no danger of serious loss in making this 
 experiment, as the beets are of high value as a feeding material 
 for cattle (especially milch cows), sheep and hogs. 
 
 With the information derived from this work the farmer will be 
 in a better position to make contracts for raising beets for the 
 factory, should the industry be established in the state. 
 
 The results obtained in the state during the past five seasons, 
 including as they do three of the most unfavorable seasons on 
 record, lead us to the conclusion that the sugar beet crop is a prom- 
 ising one to add to our present crops, and ought to direct the 
 attention of capital to this state, as a favorable position for 
 investment in sugar beet factories. 
 

 
 

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 630.7IN2B COOS 
 
 RESEARCH BULLETIN LAFAYETTE 
 49 1894 
 
 3 0112 019549945