SUGAR BEET CULTURE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 566, 14 September 1920, Page 4

SUGAR BEET CULTURE

MEETING AT WAIAU PA. ("Times" Special Correspondent.) One of the largest meetings of settiers ever held in the district tooft place in the Waiau Pa Public Hall on Thursday, the 9th, inst., at midday, to hear Mr. J. W. McLarin deliver an address on sugar beet culture and manufacture into commercial sugar. Mr. J. Robinson was appointed to the chair, and briefly introduced the speaker. ' Mr. McLai in on rising remarked that there was an old saying that "No man was a prophet in his own country," but some years ago he had predicted that their lands would reach £BO per acre, and it now exceeded that price. He has returned to show them how the land in the near future would reach £IOO pelacre in value. The first point he had to satisfy them on was if their lands weue suitable for sugar beet culture. He then read a number of letters, including one from Messrs. Arthui Yates and Co., supporting his own experience that the land was most suitable for sugar beet culture, giving the botanical name of the beet. He pointed out that it originated from a common seaside plant. As Waiau Pa was partly surrounded by the sea and was all flat country with a friable soil, easily worked, he considered the "conditions ideal for beet culture. He described the origin of beet culture for sugar production 50 years ago aj, the time of the Franco-Prussian War. The world was up to then supplied with cane sugar. Through a method of selection, which he described, the German, French, and Belgians had increased the percentage of saccharine matter in the sugar beet from a minimum of 7 per cent. t<T a maximum percentage of_ from 12 to 20 per cent. He earn* estly advocated subsoiling the Waiau Pa and Karaka lands, and in doing so gave us his opinion on the geological history of these level soils from Drury right through the Karaka to Waiau Pa and the Manukau Harbour. If they would cast their minds back for some centuries to a time when the different volcanic cones round Auckland were active volcanoes, the Karak district, including Waiau Pa, was covered with a dense heavy forest. Then came the great catastrophe which created the volcanic soils of Auckland. The hot atihes probably for months had been falling on this forest destroying and burning all the vegetable or humus matter, leaving a desolate bare plain. However, as time past, Nature clothed itself again, and the manuka and other shrubs and fern growing created a top soil of a few inches. The subsoil however was inert and devoid of vegetable or humus matter, and until they cultivated this subsoil by subsoiling they would not be making the best of their lands. Refer-

riny to the future prospects of the industry, he potnted out that tha world's consumption of sugar was twofold per unit of population to what it was 50 years ago, and that at the present time it had been estimated that the world's shortage amounted to about ten million tons. Sugar was a fattening substance, and in our present days' strenuous life, it was found that it was necessary to consume a great deal more than in the past. He estimated tha 4 . with reasonably good cultivation that district could produce an average of 20 tons to the acre. The factory and refinery could afford to pay 30s per ton for the roots. This would give a return of £3O per acre, allowing, say, £ls per acre for planting, cultivation, etc., and this would allow a clear profit of £ls per acre or equal to 6 per cent, on a capital value of £250 pei acre. He demonstrated, by figures that the factory could sell the sugar at £2B per ton, fir 3d per

Ib, and then make a large profit. The season could be greatly prolonged in New Zealand in comparison with the Continent of Europe, life beet plant being very hardy, practically free from diseases and was far ahead ol" other root crops, such as potatoes, turnips, etc. In the little risk there was taken over the loss of crop moreover th« cultivation necessary would wonderfuly improve their lands which required cultivation. The beet pulp has a considerable feeding value, and sugar beet culture was an ideal combine with dairy farming. The fattening matter was extracted from the beet, leaving the flesh and bone forming matter. This pulp had a high manurial value, and was used for that purpose where no live stock was kept. In an address, which lasted for about one and a-half hours, Mr McLarin was listened to attentively throughout, and at the conclusion received a hearty and spontaneous round of applause. In reply to a question by Mr, Learning asking if Mr. McLarin made due allowance for fertilizers used in growing beet in his estimate of the profits derived, the lecturer said that ample allowance was made. To another question ..saying that the figures considered were based on a sale price of 3d per lb and cane sugar was now fid, why not consider the higher price? the speaker replied that the latter price was abnormal, and safer to accept the more conservative price. In reply to a question, how would it be possible for farmers to cart beet to the factory? Mr. McLarin said the factory would undertake to do the carting so as not to penalise the farmers living further away from the factory. Mr. Mulick stated that he had grown sugar beet here successfully for several years, and was quite convinced that sugar beet culture could be made a commercial success, using 1:3:51b of mixed fertilizer per acre. In reply Mr. McLarin stated that proper cultivation carried out on sound lines was one of the best aids to production of any crop, more especially so with beet culture. It would be a good recommendation for the future guidance to have an area set aside near the factory for the propagation of the best beet with greatest sugar content and adaptability. Samples of beet root seed have been procured, and a number of farmers expressed their willingness to sow this and report the result. Mr. Ik'sky, of Robertson and Pesky, Auckland, addressed a few words on the desirability of co-operation amongst the fanners to develop the industries of the Dominion. He said that with the advent of such a factoiy being realized and that new was an opportune time to launch out. subdivision of the larger farms would follow, and a wave of prosperity would ensue. Mr. learning moved that a c/mmittee of investigation be formed. This was seconded by Mr. Toms and carlied. It was resolved that all the farmers present be formed into a committee with power to add t<i their number. Mr. R. M. King moved that a hearty vote of thanks and approval be accorded to Mr. McLarin for his able and interesting address on a subject of vital importance to the Jistrict. This was carried by accla- 1 nation.