PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 397 



value such plants were likely to become to Europe and America, and ap- 

 plied himself to their study, their culture and manufacture into sugar, &c. 



While in this country Mr. Wray was constantly at our rooms, and made 

 some interesting remarks in relation to its growth. Mr. Wray discovered 

 among the Kaffirs sixteen distinct kinds of imphce of various degrees of 

 saccharine richness, and differing very widely in the time required for their 

 maturity. 



There is no lack of plants from which sugar may be made. Indian corn, 

 tlie rock maple and some other trees, the beet root and sundry other escu- 

 lents, and lately we have seen sugar made from tlie juice of the box elder. 



Mr. Wray compares the value of the imphee with the beet, as follows: 



Imphee. — Time of growth from three to four months; sugar, per acre, 

 3,000 lbs; molasses equal to cane molasses. 



Beet Root. — Time of growth from seven to eight months; sugar, per 

 acre, 1,000 lbs; molasses very inferior. 



" This, too, is on the broad supposition that the value of the molasses, 

 fodder, &c., of the one, equals that of the otlier. I venture to say that the 

 comparative value is so entirely in favor of the former, that the beet root 

 culture will gradually be relinquished until it becomes at length totally 

 neglected." 



The total amount of maple sugar made in 1850 was 34,253,436 pounds; 

 in 1860, the product was 38,863,884 pounds. This increase is not large, 

 but sufficient to alford gratifying evidence that our beautiful maple groves 

 and forests are not becoming extinct, while many are preserved with com- 

 mendable care. We wish it could, with truth, be added, that the cultiva^ 

 tion of this noble tree was extending in an equal ratio; equal, because the 

 old trees in the forest are diminishing, under bad treatment and the 

 demands for new lands for tillage. The landholder who appropriates a few 

 rods of land for the preservation or cultivation of the sugar maple tree, not 

 only increases the value of the estate, but confers a benefit upon future 

 generations. 



Of the 38,863,884 pounds of maple sugar produced in 1860, — 



New York made 10,816,458 pounds. 



Vermont made 9,819,939 do 



Ohio made 3,323,942 do 



Michigan made 2,988,018 do 



Pennsylvania made 2,768, 965 do 



New Hampshire made 2,255,012 do 



Wisconsin made 1,584,406 do 



Indiana made 1,515,594 do 



Massachusetts made 1,006,078 do 



Total 36,078,512 pounds. 



Mr. Howell. — I have seen it stated that Indian corn was a very good 

 article for making sugar, and that more sugar could be made from it than 

 from any other kind of grain. 



Mr. John P. Veeder. — It was Prof Mapes who advocated the use of 

 Indian corn for making sugar. He said it would make a better article of 



