AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 381 



An artificial soil, seven parts good soil of the garden, two parts 

 of well pulverized clayey soil, one part of oak saw dust; all 

 these intimately mixed together. Decayed oak or beech leaves 

 would be better than the saw dust. Where he used natural soil 

 he trenched it two feet deep, removed all large stones, added saw 

 dust of oak, and about one-tenth part of powdered snail shells. 

 Where the soil was too stiff, choosing an aspect rather exposed 

 to the north than to the south, where no reflected rays can fall 

 upon it, and with every precaution that it be wet with pure rain 

 water thoroughly. After standing thus soaked for a day or two, 

 he made rows half a foot deep, and in these rows he placed good 

 sound trufiles, six inches apart, each truffle surrounded with 

 two or three handfuls of oak saw dust, taking care to make the 

 rows accurately; then ridges of earth were made over each row, 

 to prevent the truffles from being injured by too abundant mois- 

 ture, and the bed left until the following autumn, with no other 

 precaution than in dry weather to take care that the bed does 

 not become too dry. The result was an abundant crop of truffles 

 every year from October to January. 



Mon. A. P. Clermontel read the following paper : 



THE CULTIVATION OF BEETS IN THE UNITED STATES 

 FOR AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PURPOSES. 



In setting before the public the different essays, by which I 

 have obtained interesting results, useful to agriculturists, farmers 

 and scientific men in general, I have endeavored to give an exact 

 idea of the advantages to be gained by the cultivation of beets, 

 and the interest it possesses for all those inclined to study this 

 question. 



There are few plants which have been the subject of so much 

 study, and which offer more brilliant results for the future. 

 The culture of beets on plantations will hereafter serve to enrich 

 farmers, both great and small, as well with the alcohol obtained, 

 as from the pulps which serve for the nourishment of animals 

 and their greater multiplication, making a healthier and better 

 meat at a less price. 



I shall give an example of the advantages obtained by a planter 

 of beets and manufacturer of alcohol, in the environs of Orleans. 



One hectare of ground, properly cultivated, will produce from 

 75 to 80 thousand kilo, of beets, from which may be obtained, by 

 distillation, 33 hecto at 94 deg., sold at 135, 140, 145 francs. 



