796 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



In 1865, thirty, thirty-five, and even forty tons of beets were 

 raised on an acre. * 



As to the cost of producing these crops, the Messrs. Fievet stated 

 that the thorough cultivation of the ground for beets reduced the 

 cost of cultivating succeeding crops enormously.* 



Thus, after deducting the proceeds of the straw, their oats cost 

 them less than thirty cents, their wheat less than sixty cents, and 

 their vye less than thirty-eight cents per bushel. 



This they attribute to underdraining, to the use on the beet crop 

 of lime, cither pure or the carbonate of lime from the filter presses 

 of the factor}^, to the liberal application of other manures, to deep 

 plowing, thorough weeding and cultivation. The grain crops are 

 not manured, and the ground is so thoroughly prepared by the 

 beet for succeeding crops, that a single light plowing suffices for 

 the grain, which is all sowed in drills by a machine. 



Before the introduction of sugar industr}' into France, workmen 

 in the country, by reason of a lack of emploj-ment, were so con- 

 stantly emigrating to the city, that government instituted inqui- 

 ries to ascertain the cause, and also the best method of preventing 

 it. Now, the natural tendency of workmen to seek the capital is 

 not noticed in the sugar-producing districts, Avhere the industry 

 gives ample and well paid employment to all, 1)oth in summer and 

 in winter, and where crime and pauperism have sensibly diminished. 



Agriculture was looked upon as the calling of peasants, requir- 

 ino- little intellisrence and no education. It is far otherwise now ; 

 and to be successful as a farmer, involves the necessity of having 

 a good education. The introduction of sugar making into France, 



• The subjoined table shows approximately the average yield of certain crops per acre in 

 twenty-three of the United States, in the year 1865. according to iho Report of the 

 Department of Agriculture for January, 1865 : 



Crops. 



Highest average yield. 



Lowest average yield. 



Wheat ISJbush. 



Rye 15 " 



Barley 23^ " 



Oats 21^ " 



Corn 36i " 



Buckwheat ]9{ " 



Potatoes 113 " 



Tobacco, 16 States 906 lbs. 



Hay li tons. 



Sorghum molasses, 18 States... 110^ gals. 



Minnesota .... 20j 



Kansas 24 



Vermont 28j 



Minnesota 41^ 



Nebraska 46^ 



Nebraska 26f 



Minnesota 197 



Connecticut ....1,350 



Nebraska 2 



Kansas 129 



Kentucky 7^ 



Delaware 7 



Massachusetts... 19^ 



Delaware 12 



Delaware 16| 



Delaware IO5 



Kentucky 59^ 



Kansas 533 



Maine 1 



New York 75 



The productions of the farm at Masny vastly exceed those of the States named, 

 explanation is to be found, not in the soil or climate, but solely in the cultivation. 



The 



