48 SELECT PLANTS FOB INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



attacks of insects. Beet is grown in extra-tropical zones, while 

 the sugarcane is a plant confined to tropical and sub-tropical lati- 

 tudes. Beet culture, by directly or indirectly restoring the refuse, 

 ameliorates the soil to such an extent that in some parts of 

 Germany land so utilised has risen to fourfold its former value. 

 Beet furthermore affords one of the most fattening stable-fodders ; 

 and thus again an ample supply of manure. In the beet-districts 

 of Middle Europe about one-sixth of the arable land is devoted to 

 beet, yet the produce of cereals has not become reduced, while the 

 rearing of fattened cattle has increased. Notwithstanding a heavy 

 tax on the beet-sugar factories in Europe the industry has proved 

 prosperous, and assumes greater and greater dimensions. In 1865 

 the sugar consumption of Europe amounted to 31,676,497 cwt., 

 one-third of which had been locally supplied by the beet, from 

 over one thousand beet-sugar factories. Treacle obtained from 

 beet is distilled for alcohol. For establishing remunerative 

 factories on a large and paying scale, it has been suggested that 

 farmers' companies might be formed. For ascertaining the per- 

 centage of sugar in beet, saccharometers are used. In Germany 

 some scientific periodicals are exclusively devoted to the fostering of 

 this industry. In 1875 the total production of beet-sugar amounted 

 to 1,318,000 tons (Boucheraux). 



Betula acuminata, Wallich. 



Himalaya, between three thousand (3,000) and ten thousand 

 (10,000) feet. Attains a height of 60 feet, and delights 011 forest- 

 streams. The wood hard, strong and durable. Another Himalayan 

 Birch, B. utilis (D. Don.), grows on arid ground, and produces good 

 timber of less hardness. 



Betula alba, Linne. 



The ordinary Birch of Europe and Extra-tropical Asia. With 

 some Willows approaching nearer to the North Pole than any 

 other woody vegetation. It attains a height of 80 feet, and would 

 here thrive best in moist glens of the ranges or in the higher 

 regions of our mountains, where it would form up at the Alpine 

 zone excellent shelter plantations. Content with the poorest soil. 

 The variety B. populifolia (Willd.) extends to North America. 

 The durable bark serves for roofing. Wood white, turning red. 

 Adapted for spools, shoe-pegs and many other minor purposes, also 

 in some portion of the work of organ-builders. The oil of the bark 

 is used in preparing the Russian leather. 



Betula lenta, Willdenow. 



The Cherry-Birch of North America. A tree of middle size, 

 liking moist ground, but is also content with dry soil. Wood rose- 

 coloured or dark, fine-grained, excellent for furniture. It is so heavy 



