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Mr. M. AUport wished to take the present opportunity of remarking 

 that he had recently seen in the Student, for December, 1868, a paper on 

 the SalpaB, which confirmed iiim in the opinion he had hazarded at the 

 last meeting in reference to the occurrence of a small Crustacean in the 

 empty case of one of these animals. 



Mr. Barnard laid upon the table a small specimen of fine crystal Sugar, 

 manufactured from Beet- root, whi-)h had been taken from a sample of 28 

 lbs. exhibited at the late Agricultural Show held in Sydney, and read a 

 paper upon the subject. 



The Chairman remarked that he thought the thanks of the society were 

 justly due to Mr. Barnard for bringing the matter before the meeting. 

 He was certain it would be of great importance to the colony if the manu- 

 facture of beet sugar could be introduced, although at first perhaps only 

 on a small scale, and by private individuals with simple apparatus, as 

 described in the paper just read. In former years he had considerable 

 experience in the growth of beet root, and was satisfied that this climate 

 was peculiarly favorable for it. He could not indeed imagine why it was 

 not more extensively cultivated, as it was a hard}' plant, easily managed, 

 and superior in almost every respect as a nutritive root crop to the mangold 

 wurtzel. The produce of the two he thought would be about equal in 

 weight, as the beet could be planted much closer than the mangold. 



Mr. Morton Allport moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Barnard for his 

 interesting paper, expressing his opinion that it was a pity gentlemen 

 who had left the colony, and who had an opportunity of observing what 

 was doing in other colonies, did not take some interest in the matter, as 

 Mr. Barnard was doing, and forward reliable information upon the sub- 

 ject. There could be no doubt it would be to the advantage of the colony. 



In reference to the subject, Mr. Napier recollected that some time ago 

 a quantity of sugar from Sydney was placed in this market, but as it was 

 somewhat peculiar in appearance, it did not command a ready sale ; when 

 tried, however, it was found to be so excellent for jams and general house- 

 hold use that it was all quickly bought up. Subsequently it was found 

 that the sugar originally came from France, and was made from the beet 

 root. He had great pleasure in seconding Mr. Allport's motion. 



Mr. Davies was sorry more attention was not paid to the manufacture 

 of sugar. It only required a little energy. If it could not be undertaken 

 in the large and profitable manner recomm^ended in the pamphlet issued 

 by Government, it ought at least to be tried by means of the simple and 

 inexpensive process seen by Mr. Barnard in action near Sydney. If this 

 was seen to succeed in a single instance, no doubt many would engage in 

 the process, and in time it might become a matter of considerable national 

 importance. 



Mr. Troup (D.A.C.G-.), had seen the beet sugar largely produced in 

 Germany, but doubted if in this island it could be manufactured to com- 

 pete with sea-borne sugar, which was brought so cheaply to our doors . 

 In America the Maple sugar could only be made profitably in the inland 

 region, far from sea carriage. In the event of its being tried, however, 

 he would recommend that the greatest possible care should be taken to 

 procure the best seed, as it was found that the quantity of sugar in the 

 beet varied very greatly according to the sample of seed. 



The Secretary remarked that the important point to be determined was 

 the price per pound at which the sugar could be produced by the simple 

 process just described, and suggested that Mr. Barnard would be kind 

 enough to procure from his friend precise information on this point. In 

 reference to the value of beet sugar, in comparison with that of the 

 imported, it was to be recollected that the refuse from the manufacture 

 formed excellent food for cattle, &c., and being always saleable would be 

 a set off in favor of the farmer. 



