134 THE SUGAR BEET. 



upon the soil and sngai^ in the root seemed to prove, 

 and also by reason of a most extraordinary accident 

 which occurred at Blandain (Belgium). A sort of 

 spontaneous combustion was the cause. This had 

 taken place in a centrifugal of the sugar factory, the 

 cause being attributed to a certain quantity of sid- 

 phate or nitrate of potassa the juice contained; this 

 had been the result of a chemical change in the soil. 

 The nitric acid had combined with the potassa con- 

 tained therein, and formed a nitrate with this variation 

 taking place under the influence of the sugar and the 

 high temperature caused by the rapid velocity of the 

 apparatus. Mr. Coren winder remarked that the crys- 

 tals of it were apparent, and these united with the 

 sugar. This was owing to the fact that the crystal- 

 lization of the two had taken place simultaneously. 

 This would lead to many errors and much deception, 

 augmenting the apparent density of the juice and yield- 

 ing a sugar having but little if any commercial value. 

 This chemical contains about 16 per cent, of nitrogen, 

 and its use even with a superphosphate of lime to 

 form a complete fertilizer is not desirable, and we can 

 positively assert that any factory permitting its use 

 alone will, within a few years, come to a bad end. 



It is of interest to state that on calcareous soils it 

 would bring about many reactions ; carbonic acid mak- 

 ing its escape, carbonate of lime and potassa would 

 soon form, and the mineral substance the beet then • 



