57 



It is the proper province of the Department to demonstrate in Lou. 

 isiamt just how much increase in sugar yield can be produced by the 

 application of the methods named in the act making the appropriations. 

 This done, and all the processes for doing it accurately pointed out and 

 logically discussed, it will not be difficult for the intelligent planter to 

 determine the economic value of the new methods. 



To this task should be brought a careful study of the chemical prob- 

 lems involved, and the best apparatus which this country or Europe 

 can afford. From this task should be eliminated all prejudices for or 

 against any particular process, and especially all tendency to inisrepre. 

 sent or misinterpret facts. 



At least the Department will be able in subsequent experiments to 

 show the Southern sugar-raiser whether the promises which these pre- 

 liminary experiments have made shall really be performed, or whether 

 the practice of the process of diffusion for sugar-cane is a mistake and 

 the prospects it has ottered of aiding the sugar industry a delusion. 



It is certain that with the fierce rivalry between the European beet 

 and the tropical cane industry, producing an enormous surplus of sugar 

 and sending the prices down almost below the cost of production, the 

 indigenous sugar-cane industry of this country will languish unless the 

 Department of Agriculture be able to lead it into a life of renewed 

 vigor. . 



