SUGAR FROM BEET-EOOT,

Otago Witness, Issue 832, 8 November 1867, Page 11

SUGAR FROM BEET-EOOT,

(From the Daily Times, Nov. 7.)

In our leading article yesterday, the figures concerning tlie progress of the Beet Sugar production, were, inadvertently, incorrectly stated. The production in France in 1829, was correctly put down at SO.OOOIbs. ; but the second example of 492,260 tons, in 1858, should have been attributed not to Trance alone, but to Europe generally. "France is by no means the only European Country given to the cultivation. Prussia, Poland, Austria, Russia, Belgium, contributed largely to the amount named. Out of the 600 refineries wo mentioned, there were 250 in the Zollvorein alone. The third statement, of France producing 20,000,000 tons annually, was obviously an error, since there is not so much sugar grown in the world. We fell into the mistake from hurriedly copying from the Australasian. Its special correspondent at the Paris Exhibition, writing on the subject, had the following :—": — " France, especially in the " North, is a very large cultivator of " Beet-root sucar, producing annually " about 200,000,000 kilogrammes (two cwt. ' ' each)." Our contemporary, usuallyso precise, ascribed a wrong value to the kilogramme. It should have been a little over Slbs 3ozs, instead of 2cwt. At 2cwt, it will be observed the quantity would have amounted to the 20,000,000 tons we stated. France really prod-ices between 200,000 and 300,000 tons annually. Last year} the quantity, we believe, was 270,000 tons. Although this amount is very different from what we mentioned yesterday, it must netbe supposed that the progress of the production has been anything else than wonderful. It was only so lately as 17r6 th it the cultivation of Beet- ! root for su«ar was commenced. A Prussian, named Markgraf, in 1747, first j announced that the root contained sugar, but his discovery was suffered to rest idle, until in 1796, it was brought into practical use by F. O. Achard, who established a larae factory in Silesia. Three years later, he published a work on the subject, and the first Napoleon's attention was directed to it. It was his object to discourage the use of British Colonial productions, and he offered immense encouragenlent, in the shape of bounties, to stimulate the production. Meanwhile, the English sugar merchants had already taken alarm at Achard' s practical operations and practical work, and offered to him. 50,000 Prussian thalers, on condition that he would discontinue his experiments. Subsequently, four times the sum was offered to him to publish another work, stating that his experiments on a large scale had failed. He steadfastly and nobly refused these offers, and as we have said, Napoleon caught at the opportunity of injuring English commerce. The English merchant*, thoroughly alarmed, prevailed on Sir Humphrey Davy to publish a statement that Beet-sugar was, and must be, bitter ; but still the industry went on, and under a system of protection it flourished, not only in France, but in ! many European countries. The protection had to be heavy, for the knowledge of how to cultivate and deal with the root was in its infancy. It is this knowledge which, year after year, has matured, until Beet sxigar, without protection, is able to compete with the Cane. In theZollverein, in 1553, the Customs computed the root to yifld only five per cent, of raw sugar, whilst ten years later the computation was based at 12£ per cent. The peculiar flavor also has been overcome. Not only have improvements been made in tha manufacture, but also in the culture. There are many kinds of Beetroot, and these have been examined, and the best ascertained. Into the mode of culture there has been no end of investigation and improvement, and itissaidevery week fresh suggestions are furnished. One authority before us states that, " Beet " will grow almost anywhere in the tern-

" perate zone, and upon all kinds of soil ; " but a light rich loam, "inclining to clay " iather than to sand, is best." The yield per acre on the Continent ia stated to be from 12,000 to 18,000 lbs ; bat the Australasian mentions that, atthe Model Farm in Melbourne, from 25 to 40 ■*bns have been raised to the acre. The Scientific American relates an instance of success on prairie land in Illinois. .Four hundred acres planted with Beet-root, yielded 4000 tons, at a cost of four dollars, and averaging 12per cent, of juice to the ton, A manufactory has been established in. connection with this plantation, at which. 50 tons of the root daily are' dealt with. We give these particulars without, of course, assuming to recommend thai the Beet is suited for Otago. The expense of labor is, no doubt, an element against ft ; but it is possible, onthe other hand, that other circumstances may be found to counteract it The climate of the Northern portion of the Province should be favorable to it, and machinery may be made tosave much hand labor. There is this also to be said about the Beet, that ib is of a very accommodating nature. It has continued to conform to circumstances, and to meet a vast variety of conflicting exigencies. Still we make no recommendation concerning it, beyond holding it up as a f ype of what may b©' effected with a sinejle production. We urge only that something should be done to 1 ascertain what Otago is best suited for, and that no trouble should be spared in the investigation , and no expense grudged towards giving efficient effect to whatever may be its result. It may be that Beet root sugar manufacturing and distilling, for the Beet yields an excellent I spirit, or Malt Barley brewing and distilling, or some other production and manufacture may be best stu'ted to the Province. Let the discovery be only made, and it may be put to invaluable use.