SUGAR BEET CULTIVATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5949, 5 March 1881, Page 2 (Supplement)

SUGAR BEET CULTIVATION.

' ,The Wiikato correspondent of the New Zealand Herald writeß as follows :—The question of; Bugar beet growing has not been allowed to die out in Waikato, thanks to the large amount ofi trouble taken in the; matter by Mr,W. A; Graham,, of Tamahere,.who.is in constant communication, with persons connected With the sugar beet industry in Europe, and who has obtained direct from Hamburg-speci-mensof the true sugar beet-seed for distribution among Ms fellow settlers in : Waikato. Much of this has been sown and is now growing. in the district, and samples have already been analysed by Mr Pond, of Auckland—such analysis Bhowing the most satisfactory results. Mr O Neill, solicitor, of Hamilton, forwarded these samples, and the : -result of , the analysis shows* a: varying percentage of sugar. In No. 1 sample the roots weighed 21b 2f oz, giving a percentage of beet sugar of 10.959, or nearly 11 per cent. : No. 2- sample weighed Ilb2£oz/ and yielded 10.174 per cent, iof beet sugar. No. 3 sample weighed only 15hoz, and yielded 13.556, or rather more than 13£ per cent, of beet sugar. Considering that 8 and 9 per cent, of sugar is looked upon as a good yield in Europe, these results are. most satisfactory. It is specially idesired that analyses may; be made from,week to week of plants from the same growing, in order to ascertain ac what stages ;of growth the largest percentage of sugar can be obtained, a?h ea f," rther growth ceases to -.be profitable. This course is to ba pursued by growers instead of waiting till the whole crop is grown, and sending it" all for analysis at once, and three tubers from each grower will be sufficient at ? ™e'-b i 1689 can be Awarded direct to Mr Pond, 99 Queen street, Auckland in which case the carriage should be paid,' or to him through Mr W. A. Graham ramahere estate or through Mr Raynes Of the NftU 9 n ft l Jaotel, The prjieftt

-—'--';-/ ■— - - ■---.■- . n . . ' :. t -| : BeajoVwiii,.it- is' tb definitely (settle the question of .whether ithd^ Waikato is .as well adapted for the growth of beetrooUs.rrom its insular position it is supposed, to be. .Away from, the sea breezes its soil is deficient i n - salt, and whUe salt as a^ manure is valuable to the lar?e growth of maugold wurtzel or beet, its presence in the soil is antagonistic to the secretion of sugar by the plant. Another matter to be borne in mind by experimentera during .the growth of the Plant ia to keep the earth well drawn' up to. |he tubers, as that portion growing out of the soil, if left uncovered, will contain a less proportion of sugar than the covered p™n: - Nothing could exceed.the value of thiß industry to a district such a Waikato,.could it be established amongst us, as it would; at once increase the;-value of W| : py iDsur^g, what have not, a at qur.doqrs,' and^' ready 'sale at a certain price;! while the; refuse would be^ available as-food' for battles Once establish the possibility'" of growing 'the raw material, ; and the ; certainty th4fsuch raw .materialMs : of -more; thai; average specific, value, : which:this .year'siexpenments will, it is hoped,-do, and theafter arrangement for carrying on tb.e; manufacture, of the plant iiitb.sugar will'follow. In Germany most of'the beetroot aiigar ; companies are carried on on the co-opera-tave principle,: and so doubtless;it will have to be in Waikatb^bnV portion-of tße shareholders being capitalists, "jthe^thor portion farmers,!, the latter" ; e igaging to grow,-ascertain quantity, and.^thereby securing a sufficient supply to those; who provide the machinery. Mr Graham will shortly .be inpossessioh^tsuch'translated extracts ftoni deeds of, partnership; or settlement, of such German cqmpaniea/aa will fully explain these arrangementa in detaili- ■ '-• r '■' :•"'!?:■:■ :.-I'r-' ■■■•>■■.■.!;;:;•;•.