484 



THE SUGAE BEET IN ENGLAND. 



Mr. Caird, in an account of the progress of the English beet-root 

 sugar manufacture, states that the sugar made by Mr. Duncan, at Lav- 

 enham, in Suffolk, from beets grown by the farmers of that neighborhood, 

 has brought the highest price in the market for sugar in crystals. Mr. 

 Duncan is now converting into sugar about 400 tons of roots per week. 

 This is the third year of the Lavenham factory and of the growth and man- 

 ufacture of English beet-root sugar on a scale equal in extent to that of 

 continental sugar factories. The analysis of the roots in the hrst two 

 years showed the quality to be satisfiictory, but chemical and mechan- 

 ical means for extracting the sugar proved defective. There have been 

 many other difficulties inseparable from a new undertaking, inexpe- 

 rienced hands not being the least, but^perseverance and the exercise of 

 great intelligence have triumphed, and the successful introduction of a 

 new and prohtable agricultural industry into England has been accom- 

 j)lished. Mr. Duncan has satisfied himself that the growth and manu- 

 facture of beet-root sugar can be carried on in Suffolk with quite as 

 much success as in the north of France. 



The total value of the sirup produced last year is £960. The expendi- 

 tures, including cost of roots, government duty, and working expenses, 

 do not exceed £060. So that there is a handsome balance tor interest 

 on capital and for profit, besides the value of the refuse pulp sold for 

 cattle feed, and thus returned to the land. The roots are richer in sugar 

 this year than usual, but, on the other hand, sugar is very cheap. The 

 conversion of the roots into sugar has more than doubled their value, 

 though purchased at a price more remunerative to the farmer than any 

 other article he produces. The land is not impoverished, as nearly all 

 the feeding properties of the beet are returned to it by being fed to 

 cattle. The whole available surplus labor of an agricultural parish re- 

 ceives indoor employment in the sugar factory during three or four 

 montlis of the slackest season, and at good wages. Capital is profit- 

 ably employed, and trade of all kinds is benefited, while the general 

 supply of sugar is augmented. 



Mr. Campbell, of Buscot Park, Berkshire, is conducting a similar ex- 

 periment on a large scale, so far as the growth of the beet is con- 

 cerned, but with the intention of being able to convert the root either 

 into sugar or spirit, as may at the time be most profitable. The weight 

 and quality of the sugar beet grown on his estate this season cannot be 

 surpassed. Thus, in Berkshire as in Suffolk, the soil and climate have^ 

 proved equally suitable. There is no appreciable difference in the cli- 

 mate of the counties adjoining, and it is assumed that on all soils on 

 which mangolds are now advantageously grown in the counties from 

 the Wash to the English Channel, the sugar beet may be gradually' in- 

 troduced. 



While Mr. Caird feels great confidence in the future profitable exten- 

 sion of this industry, he offers a word of warning. It did not pay Mr. 

 Duncan the first or the second year. But the business is quite new in 

 the country, and men are not yet educated tq it. Enough has been 

 done, however, to show that success may be anticipated by those who 

 can bring to it a like command of capital, skill, and perseverance. 



