72 



Draining, No. 2 — Sugar from Beets. 



Vol. II. 



turage or from the scythe; and in this manner 

 the drains may be kept clear at the approach 

 of every winter, at such moderate expense 

 that a man with a couple of horses may go 

 over from ten to twenty acres according to 

 the breadth of the drains apart from each 

 other, in the course of the day.* There is, 

 however, one objection to all kinds of open 

 drains in pasture land — that, when fed with 

 sheep they frequently occasion them to be 

 cast; and therefore, unless narrowly watched, 

 they may become dangerous to that stock. 



There is therefore another mode of prevent- 

 ing injury to meadow ground with under 

 drains, by the use of the mole -plough, (fio-. 

 13,) which consists of a strong beam. A, 

 with stilts of the usual form. The mole, 

 or borer, is a well-tempered cast-iron conical 

 share, of about three inches diameter at the 

 largest end, but sharp at the point, and sup- 

 ported by a very stout flat wrought-iron bar, 

 B, mortised into the beam, and about an inch 

 in thickness at the back but champered to a 

 sharp edge at the front, to cut the soil. The 

 coulter, C, is rather smaller, but cuts with the 

 edge in the same line, and in some ploughs 

 has been also made a support to the mole by 

 being fixed into it; but the plough, with a 

 coulter of that construction, does not clear it- 

 self of obstructions so easily as when left with 

 the usual space between, as in that above de- 

 signed. It works in general at about a foot 

 underground, but the depth may be regulated 

 by pins placed through the beam in the coul- 

 ter and support of the plough; and in a clayey 

 soil of sufficient adhesiveness to prevent the 

 crumbling of the earth, it forms a close hollow 

 space, as round and compact as a leaden pipe.f 

 The sides, however, become so perfectly closed 

 as to completely prevent the filtration of water, 

 and would therefore only serve as a passage 

 to convey a quantity from any point of the 

 meadow to a large drain, or pond were it not 

 that the cut made by the coulter and support 

 through the upp part of the soil leaves a 

 small opening, w ch has in some cases been 

 partially filled Up immediately under the 

 sward with the plaited straw, which prevents 

 the sides from closvng, yet aliowsof the grass 

 to grow over the cut, so as to avoid all appear- 

 ance of the operation. 



In using this plough it is, however, neces- 

 sary to guide it very evenly, or the drain will 

 not carry oft' the water; and it has been thus 

 found advisable to make it with wheels to the 

 fore end, as in common ploughs, by which the 

 depth of the draught may be thus regulated. 



A man must live by the world and make 

 the best of it, such as it is. 



* See Middleton's survey of Middlesex, 2nd edit p. 

 t Ibid. p. 3G1. 



From lilt Watertown Eagle and Standard. 



§s.igar frosn ISect. 



We find in the Ogdensburgh Republican 

 of the 30th ult., a communication from Josiah 

 T. Marshall, p]sq., of A'iorristown, land agent, 

 &c., on the culture of the sugar beet. With 

 commendable liberality he has procured a 

 quantity of seed for gratuitous distribution, 

 with the view of excitmg the attention of far- 

 mers and others to the culture of the beet, 

 not only as furnishing sugar for the purest 

 quality but also as a source of revenue and the 

 preparation of the soil for other crops. Hav- 

 ing himself witnessed the cultivation of the 

 beet and the manufacture of sugar therefrom, 

 in France, he is every way qualified to fur- 

 nish the necessary information relative to 

 these facts, and this he has kindly promised 

 to do from time to time as the crop advances 

 to maturity. We subjoin a few extracts from 

 Mr. Marshall's communication, as best ex- 

 hibiting the importance of the subject: 



"The value of this article of husbandry is 

 not confined to its use as the material of sugar. 

 As a crop to alternate with grain it has no 

 rival; and by a judicious use of it no land 

 need lie fallow. 



" The 'cakes' or that part which is left after 

 the juice is expressed, affords a valuable nu- 

 triment for horses and cattle. It is eaten by 

 them with great avidity. 



"The mode of manufacturing the sugar 

 from the juice of the beet is very simple. It 

 is true that in describing the mode, learned 

 men have used many hard words. But di- 

 vested of technicalities and scientific terms, 

 it is a matter of entire simplicity." 



* * * * 



"The simplicity which is used in the manu- 

 facture of maple sugar may be advantage- 

 ously used in this; and the manufacturing sea- 

 son IS at another period of the year. There 

 are some things in connection with the 

 manufacturing process, which it is important 

 should be known by those who purpose mak- 

 ing the experiment. It will give me pleasure 

 to furnish at a future lime the details." 



* * * + 



" It may be sown between the 1st and 10th 

 of June. The land should be in good order; 

 a sott sandy loam, if possible. It may be 

 sown broad cast, or in drills." 



" If the former, it should be harrowed in. 

 The plants should be left from 12 to 18 inches 

 apart if they come up thicker than that, the 

 surplus plants may be transplanted. No fur- 

 ther directions are now necessary, they should 

 be kept well hoed and free from weeds." 



Let every man mind his own business. 



