without a doubt, act as an agricultural reformer. This 

 can never be accomplished with the sugar cane, or its 

 sub-varieties, for the reason that the system of cultiva- 

 tion of sorghum, etc., is closely allied to that of the corn, 

 from which the American farmer can learn but little; 

 whilst, on the other hand, the beet teaches new prin- 

 ciples and puts the land in excellent condition for 

 subsequent crops. The importance of the rotation 

 becomes evident, as already stated. Many argue 

 against the sugar beet industry, that it requires a con- 

 siderable capital for commencement, and the risks are 

 such that but few are willing to invest their money 

 therein. It is extremely rational that there should 

 be a feeling of the sort, for the reason that other indus- 

 tries may be worked upon a small scale for a trial, 

 but the beet-sugar manufacture cannot be ; and any 

 establishment started with less than one hundred tons 

 a day capacity, and a capital of less than $200,000, 

 must not expect to succeed. We have now in this 

 country too many examples of failures resulting from 

 these foolish attempts. The industry should not be 

 managed by. inexperienced hands; it does not pretend 

 to be within the easy reach of every farmer and house- 

 hold, as the sorghum and maple are said to be. We 

 beg to call attention to the fact that by a judicious 

 management a beet-sugar factory may be started on a 

 small capital, and will lead to sugar results no ima- 

 ginary sorghum mill has ever attained, or perhaps ever 

 will. An idea has long since been expounded, and in 

 Europe has proved to be excellent; and it would 

 be still better in America. It consists in a utilization of 

 the beet which would enable experience to be acquired 

 by our farmers as to the best methods of planting, and 

 the most satisfactory fertilizer to be used upon a given 

 soil, after having judiciously selected the locality. This 

 proposition is simply distilling the beet juice with the 



61 



