Sugar Beet Experiment

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 2

Sugar Beet Experiment

SOUTH TARANAKI PLOTS

Experiments to determine what areas in youth Taranaki, if any, ares uitabie for the cultivation of sugar beet arc au important feature of boys’ and girls’ club activities this year. The yield and sugar content in each locality will be ascertained.

The competitive nature of the experiments will be of secondary importance, though suitable arrangements will be made. The beet will be grown iu two rows in the- ordinary carrot and mangold plots. The Department; of Agriculture, Mr R. Syme explained to the executive, was conducting trials to ascertain the value of beet for sugar iu New Zealand. He considered that 100 plots in South Taranaki would give valuable information.

Though sugar beet had been grown iu Taranaki many years ago the whole industry hud beeu revolutionised siucc then. Sugar beet was not an economic crop as stock feed, though cattle liked it, but it might bo valuable as a source of sugar supply. In some parts of England it was a staple crop and yielded returns of from £S to £9 an acre.

Sugar beet was at its best when an average temperature of 7U degrees was maintained for a period, the sugar content being lower when temperatures were colder. He did not know whether South Taranaki would bo suitable for sugar beet but that was what the experiments would show. He added that a great deal of interest had been aroused in the proposal. The association was fortunate that it could secure a variety which, according to tests already made by the department, was one of tho two varieties suitable for New Zealand.

The beet grown by the children would not be wasted as they could be fed to stock.