398 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



sugar than any other of the substances generally used. An objection to 

 the Indian corn is, that it does not grow high enough; but this objection 

 can be removed if it is not allowed to bear grain. I have had the Tusca- 

 rora corn grow twelve feet high. The leaves would also be good for fodder, 

 and it could be planted closer together than at present. It is now planted 

 tliree and four feet apart. Maple sugar is very pleasant to the taste, but 

 it is not so well adapted for domestic use as the cane. Honey answers 

 better for this purpose. The growth of the maple tree is prevented when 

 we draw the sap from it, so that we could not depend on it for a regular 

 supply. 



The Chairman. — A peculiarity of honey is, that it contains both grapo 

 and cane sugars. In France, they made sugar from the beet root to a 

 great extent, but they found that they lost very much by it. One of the 

 French princes, during a tour through France, was presented by the 

 people with a beet draped in mourning. Having the experience of France 

 before us, the question to be considered is, whether it would be profit- 

 able to engage in its manufacture in this country. 



Dr. R. P. Stevens. — The capacity of the beet to make sugar has been 

 largely increased by improving the seed, so that the yield is some three- 

 fold. Some varieties are better than the cane. It also gives an increased 

 value to the land, by improving the soil; and, although it has been a source 

 of expense to France, yet, by the increased fertility it gives to the land, it 

 will eventually prove a great source of economy. In regard to the raising 

 of maple sugar, I would say that there are now large tracts of country in 

 New England, Pennsylvania and New York, where the trees have been 

 cut ofi', for lumbering purposes, that are now lying waste. These tracts 

 are well adapted for growing the maple tree, which, with little labor, could 

 be made available for this purpose; and when the trees became exhausted, 

 the dead timber could be cut down and made into charcoal, which would be 

 valuable in this condition. Charcoal, made from hardwood, is, at present, 

 a great desideratum, as the supply for the manufacture of charcoal-iron ia 

 extremely limited. This is a great want, which dead maple timber could 

 supply; and, unless something is done in this respect, we will have to 

 look for our best pig-iron to other sources. The Lake Superior blast fur- 

 naces have had to stop the manufacture of iron for the want of charcoaL 

 If maple trees were now planted in this barren waste, in twenty-five or 

 thirty years they could be tapped for maple sugar; and, when exhausted, 

 they would still be valuable in making charcoal for the manufacture of 

 that great staple in which our country so much abounds. 



Mr. John P. Veeder. — To make the maple tree available for maple sugar, 

 will require at least twenty years' growth. Twenty-two years ago I planted 

 maple trees, and they are now but four inches diameter; they should be sis 

 inches diameter before tapping, for, when they are tapped, they stop grow- 

 ing. From this we will see that the maple is rather a slow growing tree. 

 The silver abele will grow ten times as fast as the maple. The elm is also 

 a quick growing tree. These I consider superior to the maple, especially 

 by their rapid growth. If we want hard wood for charcoal purposes, the 

 growing of the maple I consider unprofitable, from the long time it takes to 

 arrive at maturity; and when it does mature, we commence to kill it by 



