XIV INTRODUCTION. 



on the same subject. N^o mention has been made of 

 the processes for the manuf[icture of sugar and alcohol, 

 as it is proposed to follow this up with such trea- 

 tises when the importance of the plant itself is fully 

 understood, the author having for several years made 

 a special study of plans of buildings, machines to be 

 made use of for the manufacture of alcohol and sugar. 



Evidently the matter here treated is so varied that 

 errors have doubtless occurred, but every effort has been 

 made to prevent them, and it is hoped that any, if such 

 there be, will not be of such importance as to be the 

 direct cause of misleading the reader. 



The book has not been written solely for the so-called 

 practical man, as it would then have been impossible 

 to enter into numerous technical considerations; but, 

 however intricate these may at first appeal*, they will 

 finally be understood by all, as it is a remarkable fact 

 that the American farmer is no longer a man who 

 works blindly upon rules of husbandry which have been 

 transmitted for generations from father to son, but in- 

 vestigates for himself. Knowing these facts, it is 

 probable that the theoretical portions will not be out 

 of place in his hands. There are some well known 

 agricultural principles which the farmer is neglectful 

 in carrying out, and the author has therefore called 

 attention to them with a view, if possible, to produce 

 a change for the better. 



As shown, in a complete history of the numerous 

 changes which have taken place in the beet-sugar in- 



