Welsh Journals

WALES AND BEET SUGAR WE are glad to know that the result of the series of meetings held in Montgomeryshire in November has lead to the appointment of a Beet Sugar Committee for the county, which will work in co-operation with the Incorporated English Beet Sagar Pioneer Association. It is also interesting to learn that the Technical Schools Committee of Cardiff is giving the subject its serious consideration. The supreme importance of the subject to the United Kingdom is emphasized when we look for a moment at the world-position of Beet Sugar. So far as our Allies are concerned, the German Army has already over-run 130 miles of the Russian beet fields, and it must be remembered that even in the year 1913 Russia only sent us 9,000 tons of refined sugar. France, in 1913, sent us 36,000 tons, and in that year there were 206 beet sugar factories operating in France. In November last the number of factories at work had fallen to 82. Probably no Belgian industry will suffer more through the war than the sugar industry. It is stated by those well able to judge that owing to the flooding which has taken place, and particularly in view of the fact that much of that flooding was with salt water, it will be impossible to grow beets in such regions for ten years after the conclusion of peace. In 1913 Belgium sent us 92,600 tons of raw and refined sugar. It is obvious that for many years to come we cannot look for a supply of sugar from that country. With regard to neutral countries-Holland in 1913 sent us 217,600 tons of raw and refined sugar. This is less than a two months' supply, and with the extra demands upon her resources, we may take it for granted that the supply from Holland will be restricted during the present year. When we turn to enemy countries, we find in 1913 Germany supplied us with 894,000 tons of raw and refined sugar. A well-known authority has pointed out that it is highly probable that in the spring of the present year Russia will be in possession of the eastern beet fields of Germany, while the allied armies will be in possession of her western beet fields. It will thus be seen that it is highly improbable that Germany will be able to sow her beet fields during the coming spring. With regard to Austria, from which country we purchased 334,000 tons of raw sugar in 1913, her fate is in Russia's hands. The official estimate of the total beet crops of the world for 1914-15 shows an anticipated reduction of two and a half million tons. These figures when calmly reviewed will indicate to every thoughtful mind the urgent necessity of producing a part, at any rate, of our sugar within our own country. Among the misconceptions commonly met with among agriculturists is that the growing of the sugar beet impoverishes the land, and has a pre- judicial effect upon rotation crops. Of course, the opposite is the fact, and all beet countries have recognized that the beneficial influence of beet culture upon subsequent crops forms one of the most marked advantages of the crop. The high yield of cereals and other grains in beet regions is acknowledged by all scientific students of the subject. In fact, the annual year book of the Association of Agriculture of Germany is insistent in emphasizing that the value of beet growing is not to be calculated merely on the cash profit of the crop, but also on its indirect results. This official journal points out that to cease growing beet would be disastrous to German agriculture as a whole. During the past thirty years the combined yield of wheat, rye, barley, and oats in the United States has increased by 6.6 per cent. During the same period and in regard to the same crops the German increase has been 80 per cent. In other words while the virgin soils of the United States are standing still, Germany is now producing two bushels for every one she produced thirty years ago. The average crop of cereals in Europe before beet culture was inaugurated was 12 bushels to the acre. To-day, as the result of the introduction of beet, Germany produces 39.4 bushels per acre; Holland 41.9 bushels per acre and Belgium 5 1 .9. Some years ago an investigation was carried out on 3 estates in the district of Halle, with the following results Average Bushels per acre. Beet Non-Beet Excess Estates. Estates. Wheat 354 29-6 196 Rye 311 289 7'6 Barley 435 337 29'1 Oats 57'5 438 31 3 Peas 278 191 45¢5 The official international figures for the year 1909 show the combined yield of barley, wheat, oats and rye, as follows:- Bushels per acre. Barley. Wheat. Oats. Rye. Belgium 558 403 740 36*6 Netherlands 47'5 328 55'4 319 Germany 39-5 30-5 59-0 288 United Kingdom 372 350 459 30*8 Denmark 37-2 380 42*3 279 United States 243 158 303 16'1 These figures amply demonstrate the enormous benefit of beet cultivation to succeeding crops. C. Hewetson Nelson.