CULTIVATION OF THE BEET. 



45 



Cost of Labor and Total Cost per Pound of con- 

 verting Beets into Sugar. 



I know of an establishment in France where the 

 total cost of producing sugar, exclusive of interest on 

 capital, is but thirty-six francs per 1,000 kilogrammes 

 of beets, or 3-^ cents per pound of sugar. 



The yield of sugar is about eight per cent., of which 

 four and one half per cent, is of a quality fit for direct 

 consumption, and would bring fifteen cents per pound 

 here to-day. Two and one half per cent, is of a grade 

 better than No. 14, and one per cent, is equal to No. 

 12. In another about the- same amount and quality 

 is produced at a cost of 3^ cents per pound. 



I know of another establishment where the total 

 cost, including every expense, interest on capital at 

 five per cent., and depreciation of machinery at ten 

 per cent., was in 1865-6 but the fraction of a mill 

 over four cents per pound. 



