Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1899 — Sugar Beet Seed. [ARTICLE]

Sugar Beet Seed.

Pardue Agricultural Department Will Furnish It To Farmers. The following bulletin has been issued by the Purdue University Experiment Station: “During the past year the sugar-beet industry in the United States has made remarkable progress. Eighteen large factories were in operation and nine are in process of construction. The greatest activity is manifested in Michigan, where one factory had a successful season, and six more factories are being built. “There is no doubt that many parts of Indiana are as favorably situated for the industry as in Michigan. The large bounty offered by Michigan is at present drawing a large amount of capital to that State. It is not likely that the Michigan bounty will remain at the present rate for a very long period, and then probably capital will seek the most favorable locations in Indiana. Many farmers in Indiana are already much interested in the matter and the results of many tests conducted last year are now published and ready for distribution by the Indiana Experiment Station. Numerous requests for seed have already have received. “Since the sugar beet is a highly bred plant it is of the utmost importance that only seed of the best quality should be used in conducting experiments to test the adaptability of a locality for sugarbeet raising. Much of the commercial seed is of low quality, and the use of such seed may result in indicating that a given locality is not capable of producting good beets, when the real trouble is with the seed.

“On account of the vital importance of using seed of known quality the station has secured, through the United States Department of Agriculture a supply of seed of high grade, and will distribute this so long as it lasts to snch farmers in Indiana as wish to try beet raising and will follow the necessary methods as nearly as practicable. Seed will be furnished in quantities sufficient to plant one-eighth to one-half acre. Those applying for seed should state how much land will be used for beets and what kind of soil is available for the purpose. Full directions will be sent with the seed. Address applications to Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station, Lafayette, Ind. L. S. Renicker handles the John Deer and B. Oliver plows.