1.—12 a.

28

EXHIBIT 15.—SAMPLES OF BEETS GROWN AT RAGLAN AND WAIKATO

Sugar-beets.

lb. o'/.. lb. oz. lb. oz. No. 1 10 8 No. 4 2 4 No. 7 14 „ 2 2 5 „ 5 1 12 „ 8 0 12 „ 3 2 8 „ 6 1 10 [Photo by J A. Young, Hamilton. September, 1901. All the above roots were field-grown and cultivated. The large root, No. 1, was grown at Raglan; the size is partly due to impure seed, and being grown near sea-coast. It would return probably not more than 3 or 4 per cent, of saccharine matter, therefore it would be unsuitable for sugar-making purposes, but most excellent for cattle-feed. Roots 2 to 8 were all grown in Waikato, and within twenty miles of Hamilton They are the right size for sugar purposes small roots give the highest percentages of saccharine matter Note the shape and form of roots 3 and 5 They are good illustrations of the effect of shallow ploughing and cultivation In stiff soil roots of this character would be costly to harvest. Deep cultivation (18 in if possible) is one of the great essentials to successful sugar-beet-root growing The size and length of roots can be compared with the two-foot rule shown in the photograph.