THE CULTURE OF BEETROOT.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2551, 5 July 1871, Page 3

THE CULTURE OF BEETROOT.

One of the papers submitted to the Legislature the other night, says a Melbourne paper,; enclosed a copy of the despatches from the Agent-General oh 'the subject of the manufacture j>f sugar, from -beetroot, together with estimates of sugar-houses, plans and drawings of machinery, &c. The inforformation was forwarded to the Government at the suggestion, of the., memberjfor Warrnambool, Mr" Bayles, and for the benefit of the Warrnambobl Beetßoot Sugar Manufactory, and was obtained from two independent sources in ;Belgium and Holland, through Mr James. Miucing lane, City, who is ' regarded as one of the best authorities on |the subject "-in" In Mr Duncan's'opinion frost-and moisture are "very important for " the successful growth of beet. < The object is not so much to obtain a heavy root as to get an abundance of saccharine matter, and this seerjis to be in inverse proportion, to the bulk of the root." A report from Dr Seyford, of Brunswickj states that a beet root sugar factory, working fifty tons of beet root during twentyhours, furnished with the best apparatus for saving of fuel, and producing .the largest amount of crystallised sugar, would cost in Germany £12,700, and a factory working 100 tons, about £23,000: * All. the apparatus, which is of expensive construction, can be made in Germany. The steam boilers, kc, can: be procured from, England. The daily expenses for fuel,..wages, and other incidentals amount to-l4sperton of .beet, calculating the wages per man per day at is 7d, and coal at 18s per ton. For three or four tons of beet root one ton of coal is wanted. There are no distilleries from beet root direct in Germany. In.France they exist, .and the largest works thirty'tons" of roots~per day. - The expenses are as follows:—For thirty tons per day, steam power for .mechanical apparatus, £2 6s 6d | wages., males J _2s 6d ; females, 2s per day—£l 17s '■' interest and repaiis, £2 ; distillation and general expenses, £3 14s ; barrels," commission, &c, £4. Total, £13 17s 6d. In his opinion the most profitable way would be to combine the manufacture of sugar with the distillation from the molasses of raw sugar. He could supply, if required, pIaDS and drawings of all special apparatus required, and procure an able man to establish and Work the factory or distillery. He sent a man to Peru two years ago who receives there a salary of £400 per annum, and has a three years' agreement. A first-classman would accept a similar engagement in Australia on the same terms.