BEET SUGAR.
Sugar was discovered in the ordinary beet by Margraff, a member of the Berlin Academy of Science, in 1747, hut the sugar content was very small, being from 2 per cent to 4 per cent. About half a century later, Karl Franz Archard undertook the extraction of sugar from the beet and his efforts were suc cessful. Great interest in both Germany and France followed his investigation and by 1812 there were many factories established. Napo leon added greatly to the progress of this in dustry by government aid and by the establish ment of sugar schools. After the new industry had become well established, it was almost ob literated by destructive wars. It was revived, however, soon in France and by 1829 a yield of 4,000 tens of sugar was made, but Germany's interest was not resumed until 1835. From these countries the industry has spread through out Europe until the production for 1903 has been variously estimated at 5,000,000 to 6,500, 000 long tons.
The first experiments with sugar-beets in the United States were made by two Philadel phians in 1830. About 10 years later David Lee Child, Northampton, Mass., attempted beet culture and the manufacture of beet sugar. He produced 1,300 pounds at a cost of 11 cents per pound. These enterprises failed and seem to have discouraged further efforts until Gen nert Brothers, natives of Brunswick, Germany, inaugurated a plant at Chatsworth, Ill., in 1863, and this failed seven years later. Attempt after attempt failed and it may be said this industry was not permanently established until between 1875-80. From this time sugar beet culture has been successfully conducted in the United States and at this writing there are 51 factories distributed over 13 States, with a pro duction of about 208,790 long tons for 1905.
Soil and its re quire a mean summer temperature of about 70° F., and may, therefore, be grown in a very ex tensive territory in the United States, stretching from New York to California, but in this vast scope of country designated the sugar belt, there is much land that will not grow beets profitably because the soil is not adapted for such a pur pose. While a great variety of soils may be
suitable for growing beets, the soil best adapted for this purpose is a sandy loam with a sub-soil open so as to permit the beet to send down a tap-root and at the same time insure enough loose soil for the beets to grow well under ground, otherwise the tap-root will gspranglep and the top of the beet will show above ground, both of which growths are deleterious to the best results.
In order that the beets may develop thor oughly, the soil must be of a loose, friable char acter and thoroughly prepared before planting the seed. The preparation is best effected by plowing about eight inches deep and following a sub-soiler to the depth of about seven inches and finally harrowing until all clods are broken and the soil thoroughly pulverized. If the land should be lumpy the young plants will find great difficulty in coming up, and it will be very troublesome to work or cultivate them. Thorough preparation usually destroys much weeds and grass that otherwise would interfere with the cultivation of the young beet.
The beet seed are about the size of a small pea with a very small and rough ex terior and should be put well under the earth but not deep. The seed are sown in ridges or furrows in the level ground, the latter being more general, from 14 to 18 inches apart. The seed are distributed with an implement termed a drill or seeder. The best time for planting is in the months of April and May. After planting a roller is pressed over the seed to press the soil close to them. If the rolling should make the surface too smooth and hard, another implement is passed over the ground to "roughen it up' because the wind sweeps over the fields and causes the sand to do damage to the young plants when the surface is without obstructions. Some plant seed in rows at right angles to the wind in order to avoid injury by it.