18 



BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY ON THE CONTINENT. [June 1896. 



Reviewing the condition of the Swedish beet-sugar industry in 

 1894, Mr. Duff writes : — 



" The work within the sugar industry has this year, as well as 

 during previous years, been divided into two large sections, 

 namely, the manufacture of raw sugar, combined with beet culti- 

 vation, and the refining of the raw sugar. The cultivation of the 

 beet has, in consequence of the good economic result it leaves, 

 especially with the present low prices of grain, increased 

 enormously. The supply of beet at the beginning of the year 

 was so large that the factories could only with difficulty work 

 up the raw material. In consequence of the anticipated over- 

 production one company has been dissolved, and another will 

 probably take the same wise step. At the beginning of the year 

 the prices of raw sugar were very remunerative, leaving the 

 factories a good profit, but in consequence of the subsequent over- 

 production the prices fell much lower than they have ever been 

 before." 



" There is very little prospect of the factories making any profit 

 this year ; several of them will probably make a loss instead. 

 . . . . . All the factories are, from a technical point of 

 view, well constructed." 



