4(36 Transactions of the 



using a small double plow, running furrows at equal distances apart one 

 way, then crossing at right angles, so as to have the hills about twenty- 

 four inches apart. This method facilitates more rapid and thorough 

 cultivation, and is fast superseding the older methods in Europe, as 

 more abundant crops can in this way be produced. In cither method, it 

 is imperative that the crops be very carefully weeded and cultivated. 

 The amount of seed required to plant an acre will be about fifteen 

 pounds. Alter the roots begin to form of considerable size they should 

 be carefully hilled up by drawing the earth over the crowns as effec- 

 tively as possible without covering the foliage. This is necessary to 

 prevent too rapid and unnecessary formation of woody fiber, which de- 

 tracts very much from the value of the root for sugar purposes. The 

 crop will be ready to dig about the last of September on bottom land, 

 and I think if grown in our large valley districts where, I believe, by 

 the aid of irrigation and long planting, we have thousands and thou- 

 sands of acres of the finest sugar feet land, it could be gathered, or 

 sugar-making could commence, as early as the first of July — the beet 

 roots being well and sound, after being dug, until about the first of 

 April, when the sap begins to start, then they lose their sugar proper- 

 ties very last. 



THE PRODUCT OF SUGAR. 



I have been informed by a scientific beet sugar maker that he has 

 extracted from beets grown near Sacramento fifteen per cent of saccha- 

 rine matter. The working average in the factory is fully eight per 

 cent, if not more. 



THE MANUFACTURE. 



We will now make a rough calculation upon this basis. The same 

 gentleman informed me that five dollars per ton would pay all expenses 

 for manufacturing the beet into sugar. Now, we will allow five dollars 

 per ton for the cost of the beet, and one hundred and fifty thousand 

 dollars lor the erection of the manufactory, capable of converting fifty 

 tons of beets daily into sugar, and two hundred working days for the 

 year; the accounts will stand thus: Interest on one hundred and fifty 

 thousand dollars, at ten per cent, fifteen thousand dollars; cost of ten 

 thousand tons of beets, at five dollars per ton, fifty thousand dollars; 

 cost of working up same, fifty thousand dollars; total cost, one hundred 

 and fifteen thousand dollars. Sugar produced from ten thousand tons, 

 at eight per cent, one million six hundred thousand pounds, valued at 

 twelve and a half cents per pound, two hundred thousand dollars; 

 deduct one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars; leaving a clear profit of 

 eight3*-five thousand dollars. 



This calculation, I am fully satisfied, does not overrate the profits in 

 this grand industry, when parties avail themselves of all the modern 

 improvements of the age as to manufacture and production of the sugar. 

 As to the beets of California producing as much or more sugar than any 

 other part of the world, we have only to consider the advantages of 

 soil and climate. In Europe very often the beet root is injured by 

 continual wet and humid atmosphere. The solar rays are obscured, 

 .i.nd the root will secrete a much larger per cent of water, pectine, 

 albumen, etc. Again, the crop is more liable to suffer from drought. 

 In fact, the climate casualties there and in the Atlantic. States are at 

 least fifty per cent greater than here; and I am fully convinced that in 

 a few years, if the necessary reforms shall be brought about by our law- 



