21 DECEMBER 1929, Page 14

THE FARMERS' FRIEND.

During a visit to the Huntingdonshire fen land -last week I saw both on road and rail a great many tons of sugar beet. It was the crop of the moment, and is beginning to be known as " the farmers' friend." It has saved many growers from a heavy loss, and is, of course, contrasted with potatoes which have shown a loss up to £15 an acre, though the crop was big. The yield of the sugar-beet in weight was not. great, but the sugar-content rich beyond any expectation or parallel. I heard of individual crops which yielded 26 per cent. of sugar— a scarcely credible proportion,' but well authenticated. The analysts at the factories are under no temptation to exaggerate

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the quality, as they pay proportionately !