TEBDING QUALITIES OF THE BEET. 305 



as it would carry us away from the subject we wish 

 to discuss. 



Mr. Basset some years ago contended that all acidu- 

 lated pulp was a poor food for animals ; the sulphuric 

 acid utilized in the " System Champonnois," acting as 

 an astringent upon the mucus of the stomach, and thus 

 having an irritating effect and that there would also exist 

 a certain quantity of sulphate of potassa and lime ; and 

 that animals tired of this fodder sooner than of any 

 other. Now we do not wish in any way to contra- 

 dict the assertion of this chemist, but can answer to 

 this, that we have consulted fanners that have used 

 this pulp for years, and only good effects have resulted. 

 "We consider it most absurd even to suppose that the 

 health of cattle is in any way affected by this small 

 quantity of acid. 



In the System Leplay the pulp is nearly reduced to 

 a mush by the action of a jet of steam at a pressure 

 of two atmospheres. After leaving the distilling 

 columns it is washed, and the albumen and soluble 

 salts are extracted. This operation alone renders all 

 comparison between the two pulps impossible. 



The pulp from the distillery contains more water 

 than that of the sugar factory, but the quantity of 

 nitric elements in the latter is greater ; it being esti- 

 mated that 100 lbs. are about equal to 135 lbs. of the 

 Champonnois ; but when it is considered that the yield 

 from the sugar factory is 20 per cent, of the total, and 

 that from the distillery 88 per cent., evidently more 

 meat and consequently more manure and futui'e crops 



