730 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



should preferably be fed on the ground or ploughed under as green 

 manure, for if carted away fertilisers will be required to take their place. 



Syrup manufacture comes next on the list. It is much used in 

 making jams of different fruits. 



The molasses resulting from the Beet- sugar industry is unpalatable in its 

 raw state, owing to the condensed salts which are extracted along with 

 with the sugar ; refining is necessary before it can be used, and even then 

 it has an acrid taste. It is worked up into shoe-blacking, vinegar, and 

 alcohol, but the greater part is mixed with the pulp or the leaves, for 

 feeding purposes, or as a fertiliser. 



The establishment of a sugar factory is important from many points 

 of view. It disposes of the Beets ; it employs capital, also labour. 

 Much coal is consumed (about 17 per cent, by weight) or else other 

 fuel, such as petroleum or wood, and a large amount of lime rock is 

 required (about 10 per cent.). 



The necessary supply of labour for the various operations of bunching, 

 thinning, hoeing, harvesting, &c, has sometimes been difficult to obtain. 

 It is now being met, in many cases, by the emigration from towns to 

 the fields, at certain seasons, of adults and boys, many of whom are 

 foreigners already well versed in the industry. 



At present most of the seed used is imported from Europe (largely 

 from Germany). It is supplied by the factory, and costs the farmer about 

 #3 per acre (at the rate of 20 lbs.). 



Some of the factories are beginning to produce their own seed. 



It has been found that in different States Beet does best after different 

 crops, in one after corn, in another after alfalfa. 



The subject of irrigation is being seriously considered, for Beet has 

 shown a remarkable adaptability for growth under these conditions 

 and at present much water, from excessive rainfall and from melting 

 snows, is wasted. 



The best methods for combating insect pests (so far not numerous) 

 and fungous diseases have yet to be discovered, the crops at present being 

 practically at their mercy when attacks occur. 



The above considerations come chiefly within the province of the 

 grower. 



The manufacturer is also confronted with problems, which are 

 perhaps less easy to solve. 



Water-supply, fuel, the market for the products, transportation, the 

 supply of lime, skilled labour, all have to be thought of and provided for. 



Public opinion and the influence of the press have much to do with 

 the success of the Beet-growing industry. There is a certain prejudice 

 against Beet sugar at present, which time will remove, for experts have 

 decided that properly-made Beet sugar is not inferior to cane-sugar. 



The Report is profusely illustrated ; it contains numbers of statis- 

 tical tables of much interest, and it should do much to increase the 

 popularity of this important industry. — C. H. C. 



Begonia annularis. By Sir J. D. Hooker (BoL Mag. tab. 7842).— 

 Nat. ord. Begoniaccce. Native of Brazil. A magnificent species, of 

 shrubby habit, growing 8 feet high. Flowers freely at Kew throughout 



