464 Transactions of the 



utilized tho labors of the leading minds of the countries in -which it 

 has been established. The beet has found its supporters and adherents 

 in the cabinets of kings, the academies of science, in agricultural socie- 

 ties and farmers' clubs, in the machine shop, and in the peasant's cot- 

 tage. No other industry of modern times has so successfully harmon- 

 ized the agricultural and manufacturing interests, which have hereto- 

 fore been regarded as inimical to each other; or has originated and sup- 

 ported so many subservient and minor interests. With these patent 

 facts presented to us, so fully demonstrating the vast agricultural and 

 manufacturing wealth now slumbering in the cradle of the ear4h upon 

 which we stand, it needs no prophetic mind to foresee the great social, 

 financial, and industrial wealth that awaits us in the immediate future. 

 The value of the success of this industry in our country may be partly 

 estimated from our enormous importations of foreign sugar. During 

 the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy, we 

 imported eleven hundred and sixty million four hundred and sixty thou- 

 sand one hundred and fourteen pounds of brown sugar, one hundred and 

 fifty-one thousand five hundred and twenty pounds of refined sugar, 

 thirty-six million one hundred and sixty-one thousand nine hundred and 

 thirty-five pounds of melado and s} r rup of sugar cane, fifty-five thousand 

 eight hundred and twenty pounds of candy and confectionery, and fifty- 

 six million three hundred and seventy-three thousand five hundred and 

 thirty-seven gallons of molasses. The total declared value of these 

 imports was sixty-nine million eight hundred and twenty-seven thou- 

 sand eight hundred and eighty-four dollars. Our domestic sugar cane, 

 beet, maple, and sorghum did not amount to one eighth of this aggre- 

 gate. During the year following, the aggregate value of sugar, syrups, 

 etc., imported, reached seventy million eight hundred and two thousand 

 three hundred and ninety-eight dollars and sixty-nine cents, paying duty 

 to the amount of thirty-two million five hundred and eighty-rive thou- 

 sand one hundred and twenty dollars and sixteen cents. These facts 

 should stimulate us to positive and decided action, so far. at least, as to 

 stop the money drain from our own State caused by the importation of 

 sugar, syrups, confectioneiy, etc. 



VARIETIES OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



The white Silesian — a white beet root with a green collar — is the one 

 in general cultivation throughout the world for sugar making. There 

 are four distinguishing characteristics that apply to the beet most perfect 

 for the secretion of saccharine matter: 



First — Its root must be shaped nearly like a Bartlett pear, and devoid 

 of large lateral roots. 



Second — It must not grow above the surface of the soil. 



Third — It must have a smooth, white surface, and the flesh be white 

 and firm. 



Fourth — Its size must not be too large, and its weight not exceeding 

 three to six pounds. 



The white Silesian unites most of these qualities. The foliage is not 

 upright, but broad — spreading and lying flat upon the surface of the 

 ground. Beets possessing this peculiarity grow entirely beneath the 

 surface, and readily secrete I he greatest amount of saccharine matter 

 during their growth and ripeuing. 



