The Beet Industry.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1709, 20 July 1885, Page 2

The Beet Industry.

Despite the glowing terms in which Sir Julius Vogel has referred to the growing u£ beet rout and the manufacture of sugar therefrom, many practical men have expressed au opinion that the industry would not pay in this colony. Some Wanganui settlers recently sent Dr Hector some roots for analysis, and that gentleman has supplied the following very discouraging report thereon ; “ Eight roots of sugar beet for sugar, representing throe samples, each by a dill'eruut grower. There were no distinguishing marks on those samples, but three of the small sized and most likely roots were analysed, with the following result : —No 1 experiment gave 0,1 per cent of sugar ; No 2 experiment gave 0/1 percent of sugar ; No o experiment gave O,‘J per cent of sugar. The sorts chosen for analysis weighed 411b each ; were well shaped ; Nos 1 and 2 had slightly shot into leaf on the cut which took oil' thej old leaves. It is evident that even the selected roots would not pay for working for sugar. Thu large root sent, weighing 181b, was analysed, and only alforded 3 2 per cent of sugar. - •

J. He tok,” It would be as well before the colonists went in for beet growing, that they should make careful enquiries as to whether sugar making from beet is likely to pay in this colony.