CULTIVATION OF THE BEET. 47 



PROFITS ON BEET SUGAR. 



It is believed that the only material item of expense 

 in the manufacture of sugar that would be greater in 

 the United States than in France is the single one of 

 labor. All others in excess of those of France are 

 here more than offset by the lower cost of coal, of 

 land, and of taxation. 



In relation to labor it is well known that in the 

 United States the use of labor-saving machines is 

 greater than in any other country, because the high 

 price of labor has stimulated their invention. It is a 

 fact that the number of hands employed in sugar re 

 fineries in this country is much smaller than in Euro 

 pean establishments of the same capacity of production, 

 and it would doubtless be possible to effect some saving 

 in that direction as compared with France in an Amer 

 ican sugar manufactory. 



The labor in a beet-sugar factory in this country 

 would certainly not require a greater number of men 

 than is required in a similar establishment in France. 

 But, assuming that the same number would be neces 

 sary, it is proper to ascertain the exact relation that 

 the price of labor bears to the cost of production. 



In Europe the number of skilled hands required in 

 a sugar manufactory is very small, the great propor 

 tion of workmen being common farm laborers, who 

 work in the fields in summer and in the mills in 

 winter. The making of beet sugar is only carried on 

 in the fall and winter months, say from October to 



