134 THE SUGAR BEET. 



upon the soil and sugar in the root seemed to prove, 

 and also by reason of a most extraordinary accident 

 which occurred at Blandain (Belgium). A sort of 

 spontaneous combustion was the cause. This had 

 taken place in a centrifugal of the sugar factory, the 

 cause being attributed to a certain quantity of sul- 

 phate or nitrate of potassa the juice contained ; this 

 had been the result of a chemical change in the soil. 

 The nitric acid had combined with the potassa con- 

 tained therein, and formed a nitrate with this variation 

 taking place under the influence of the sugar and the 

 high temperature caused by the rapid velocity of the 

 apparatus. Mr. Gorenwinder remarked that the crys- 

 tals of it were apparent, and these united with the 

 sugar. This was owing to the fact that the crystal- 

 lization of the two had taken place simultaneously. 

 This would lead to many errors and much deception, 

 augmenting the apparent density of the juice and yield- 

 ing a sugar having but little if any- commercial value. 

 This chemical contains about 16 per cent, of nitrogen, 

 and its use even with a superphosphate of lime to 

 form a complete fertilizer is not desirable, and we can 

 positively assert that any factory permitting its use 

 alone will, within a few years, come to a bad end. 



It is of interest to state that on calcareous soils it 

 would bring about many reactions ; carbonic acid mak- 

 ing its escape, carbonate of lime and potassa would 

 soon form, and the mineral substance the beet then 



