365 



The fact, too, that a new method of producing another 

 almost indispensable article, discovered about the same 

 time, and which had already been brought to considera- 

 ble perfection, had proved so triumphantly successful, 

 has perhaps had an influence in leading us on to expect 

 that soon sugar would be as easily produced from the 

 corn-stalk, as oil now is from hogs-lard. Indeed, so ob- 

 vious is it to every considerate person, that the position 

 once established that sugar can be produced in this way, 

 it is no less than bringing an article almost indispensable 

 as a part of our daily food, and a most healthful and 

 harmless luxury, as much within reach of every family 

 in the United States, as the very corn has been from 

 which it is produced. 



Viewing the subject in this light, perhaps, induced the 

 Executive Committee of the New- York State Agricultu- 

 ral Society, to offer the very liberal premium of one hun- 

 dred dollars for the " best experiment" in testing the value 

 of the crop, and the practicability of cultivating it. The 

 thing was new much expense must be incurred a mill 

 and other apparatus must be constructed " the juice ex- 

 tracted by iron rollers, so as to obtain the maximum 

 quantity of sugar" one acre of northern corn, cultivated 

 for the purpose, to be submitted to the test. With all the 

 above requisitions, I have endeavored fully to comply ; 

 and now the last, but not least, to make a " full report of 

 the process and expense," remains to be done. 



So great is the interest felt upon this subject, that it is 

 presumed a minute account of the process will be expect- 

 ed. In the performance of this duty I must claim the in- 

 dulgence of the committee, for the writing of reports is 

 new business to me. 



Raising the Corn. One acre of ground was selected, of 

 a sandy loam, cultivated last year to ruta-baga ; this was 

 manured with thirty loads of the best stable manure, well 



