To the Souse of Representatives : 



In reply to a resolution of the House of Eepresentatives of the 21st 

 instant, requesting the Commissioner of Agriculture to furnish " all in- 

 formation he may have in his possession bearing upon the culture of the 

 sugar beet," &c, the accompanying letter and report received from the 

 Commissioner of Agriculture for this purpose are herewith transmitted. 



E. B. HAYES. 



Executive Mansion, January 26, 1880. 



Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C, January 22, 1880. 



Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith a report upon the culture 

 of the sugar beet and the manufacture of beet-root sugar in France pre- 

 pared by Dr. Win. McMurtrie, agent and representative of this depart- 

 ment at the late Paris Exposition of 1878, called for by resolution of the 

 House of Eepresentatives January 21, 1880. 



It has been a leading feature of the policy of my administration of 

 this department to determine all the sources of cane sugar available for 

 utilization in this country, and it was believed that the sugar beet, which 

 has constituted so important a part of the basis of the national wealth 

 in France and Germany, might be of value for the production of this 

 necessary staple in the United States. 



The presence of our agent and representative in France during the 

 course of the year 1878 was considered a favorable opportunity to secure 

 full information concerning the methods of culture and manufacture 

 followed with so much of success in that country, and he was therefore 

 directed to make a thorough study of the subject and report upon it to 

 this department. Availing himself of the assistance afforded by his 

 official connections and his personal acquaintances among those engaged 

 in the prosecution of the industry, he was able to collect the facts and 

 figures which form the matter of the accompanying report, and which, 

 being the latest information available and describing all the later im- 

 provements introduced into the culture and manufacture, cannot fail to 

 be of interest and value to all to whom the report may come, and espe- 

 cially to those who may be particularly interested in the immediate in- 

 troduction of the industry in the United States. 

 Yery respectfully, 



WM. G. LE DUC, 

 Commissioner of Agriculture. 



To the President. 



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