304 Tkaksactioxs of the American Ixstitvte. 



tills means is simply impossible. What would farmers think cf plant- 

 ing unripe corn? The ill clfects of breeding in and in is not so det- 

 rimental as this practice. Hardy stock cannot he secured by this 

 means. 



Mr. AVm. S. Carpenter. — I have paid considerable attention to this 

 subject. In talking with fanners they differ; but I have concluded 

 that the earlier heifers come in, say at two years old, the better. I 

 think they will become better milkers than if left to come in at a 

 later period. 



Mr. J. B. Lyman. — -The Legislature of Kew York appropriated 

 several thousand dollars to investigate the cause of abortion in cows. 

 Dr. Dalton was appointed, and he visited or had reports from 4,000 

 farmers, and it was not found that early parentage had any effect in 

 producing the disease. 



Bp:et Syeup. 



Mr. TI. De Witt, Sliuter Creek, Calif jrnia, inqnires the best process. 



Mr. iST. C. Meeker. — The answer is that tlie only beet works in this 

 country are at OhattswoVth, 111. A considerable sugar has been 

 made. About 600 acres are now in cultivation, and a large sura of 

 money has been spent. It is not understood yet to be profitable ; 

 still, a large crop of beets are in the ground this year. There has 

 been decided mismanagement, perhaps unavoidable, and one great 

 want has been a supply of water. Recently a company was organized 

 at Aurora, 111. A company was partl}'^ organized in this city more 

 than a year ago to establish works near the Illinois river; but for 

 some reason, it has not yet gone into operation. The proposed capital 

 was not less than i?200,000. The trouble with all sucli enterprises is 

 that they are often projected'by men either without means or practical 

 knowledge of working the soil, and whose central idea is that there 

 is no possibility of failure. Such men are certain to fail, because in 

 all enterprises there is only one right way while there is an indefinite 

 number of wrong ways, and only experience and good sense will find 

 the true one. That beet sugar is destined to be profitably made in 

 this country we have not the least doubt. Government ought to 

 undertake it, as the French government did, and the right man for 

 manager should be carefully sought, and, if necessary, with tears. 

 The services of the men who can make the beet sugar a success in 

 this country would be worth a dollar a minute. 



