INTRODUCTION". xi 



beet. These are the two great rivals for the world's supply of 

 sweetuess. The cane and the beet sugar are of very unlike origin 

 and expectations. The former was introduced by the crusaders, 

 and it has been extracted to this day by the crusade processes 

 and by ignorant laborers, to the lasting detriment of the warm 

 lands where the cane has been raised. The manufacture of beet 

 root sugar is comparatively a recent industry, and is peculiarly 

 the product of northern sagacity. By the demands its difficult 

 separation makes upon the skill and intelligence of sugar pro- 

 ducers, it has brought about a combination of labor, capital and 

 scientific knowledge to which no other industry can furnish a par- 

 allel. The history of its cultivation shows such vast, direct and 

 indirect advantages that it seems likely at no distant day, to sup- 

 plant the cane. The beet has already virtually driven the cane 

 from the European market, and the question arises, why America 

 forms such a conspicuous exception. It is not from the lack of a 

 proper soil or climate, it is not from the price of labor, the abund- 

 ance of cane sugar or the absence of necessary machinery. It is 

 agreed to be solely from the fact that no adequate experiment has 

 ever been made upon the eastern seaboard. The question of its 

 profitable introduction should be studied and solved in New Eng- 

 land. The history of the beet sugar industry reveals the secrets 

 of its success in other countries, and points out the conditions of 

 its successful production in America. 1st. It was born of science 

 and has always been allied with it. 2d. It has been fostered by 

 government at the outset. 3d, It has been dependent upon 

 sound agriculture, 4th. It has secured the co-operation of labor 

 and capital. To the total neglect of one or all of these conditions 

 the hitherto unsuccessful attempts to transplant it are well under- 

 stood, and the recent successes in the West excite the hope that 

 the beet root culture is now permanently established in this coun- 

 try. Without abundant capital, skilled labor, scientific knowledge, 

 and co-operation of agriculturists, any attempt would be folly. 

 With these, the venture would be safe, large profits be fairly ex- 

 pected, and the experience of other countries leads to a promise 

 of success in our own. 



The semi-annual session was held at Fryeburg, in Oxford county, 

 on the last day of October and the first and second days of No- 

 vember. At this session the students of the State College of 

 Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts were in attendance, having, 

 through the liberality of the Maine Central, Portland and Ogdeus- 



