26 JANUARY 1929, Page 17

A FRENCH THEORY.

It is well said in one commercial broadsheet recently issued on the subject of sugar beet that " a further most valuable consideration is the increased fertility of the soil, as crops that follow sugar beet give considerably higher yields. It is undoubtedly one of the best preparation crops for any of the cereal family." I once visited a number of the crops and factories in France ; and more than one farmer said to me that he would be content to lose money on his beet, because of the next year's crop, which was always grown without further manuring. Those who have been giving gloomy forecasts of the crop in England may profitably consider this virtue.

W. BEAM THOMAS.