Thanks to the fruitful alliance of this industry with agriculture, the fallow ground had everywhere disappeared, and other branches of agriculture profited thereby, the breadth of land sown with wheat, which in 1816 was only 94,000 hectares, was in 1836 115,000 hectares, besides a proportionate increase of barley and potatoes.

It was just at this period, 1838, when the full and lasting benefit was about to be reaped from this industry, that vacuum pans were introduced, and the filters for animal charcoal came into general use. But in 1838 this remarkable progress was again interrupted, by the clamour of the Colonial interest and of the shipowners, inasmuch as 49,000 tons of beet sugar were produced, while only 55,000 tons were imported from the Colonies.

There was then the prospect that, from the rapid extension of beet sugar, the import from the Colonies would gradually decrease, if not altogether cease. This certainly was sufficient to alarm importers and shipowners, who prevailed upon the Government to almost extinguish this new branch of industry, at all events so to clog it by fiscal laws and heavy duties as to prevent its materially interfering with the colonial and shipping interest. Success attended the efforts of these protectionists, and on the 18th July, 1837, the Chamber passed a law, which however was only to come into operation on the 1st July, 1839, adding an extra duty of 15fcs., or 12s. per 100 kilogrammes, on beet sugar, above Colonial. The year following, the manufacturers suspended operations, and the production, which in 1838 was 49,000 tons, fell in 1840 to 22,000 tons. Notwithstanding this protection, the imports from the Colonies only increased by 3,000 tons, and prices did not advance. Additional pressure was therefore again brought to bear on the Government, and on the 28th August, 1839, the duty on Colonial sugar was further reduced 10s. per 100 kilogrammes, so that in one year the difference of duty was altered to

22s. on beet sugar above that of Colonial. Notwithstanding this great pressure on the home product, and increased imports of Colonial, there seemed a vitality in this rising industry which could not be destroyed, for 26,000 tons were manufactured in 1841, and 30,000 in 1842, although in the latter year the large quantity of 89,000 tons was imported from the Colonies. The consequence was that the protectionists commenced their agitation anew, and hinted that the only solution of this interminable sugar question would be the supression of the beet-root sugar culture and manufacture, the interdiction of which was actually proposed in the Chambers on the 10th January, 1843, but the proposal was rejected.

For some years, viz. till 1848, the production remained somewhat stationary, but after the revolution of that year, slavery being abolished by the Republic, the result was a diminution in the production of Colonial sugar. A considerable reduction was then also made in the duty on beet, placing it on the same footing as foreign sugars, such as Havannah, Brazil, Manilla, which are 3 to 5 francs per hundred kilogrammes above Bourbon and Antilles. And although, since then, various alterations have from time to time taken place in raising or lowering the duties, even now beet sugar pays the same duty as foreign; thus favouring the Colonies at the expense of the home grower, on the ground that no freight or insurance or large commissions are paid by them.

Leone Levi, in his lecture at King's College last year, on the sugar duties, erroneously asserted that beet sugar, in France and elsewhere, was only sustained by the favour of the respective Governments. The contrary is the case in France, and I believe also on the Continent generally. Since 1848, the progress has been amazing and uninterrupted, except so far as unfavourable seasons have exercised their

influence. In 1862-63 it had reached 175,000 tons; in 1863-64, though there was a comparative failure, 130,000 tons were produced; and the great sugar speculation which ended so disastrously to many who operated therein, arose in part from this cause.

The last year, 1864-5, so large a breadth of land had been sown that a crop of more than 200,000 tons was expected; the extremely dry weather, however, did serious damage, and only 155,000 tons have as yet been manufactured; it is, however, presumable that from 10,000 to 15,000 tons more may be produced from the molasses, which are worked in the months of April and May.

The cultivation is still increasing; and only last week, when in France, discussing this matter with some of the leading manufacturers and refiners, they stated that the cultivation will continue to increase, and that, by the constant improvement of machinery and process of manufacturing, the quantity produced will be doubled in the next ten years, even as it has been during the last ten years. Nay more, they considered, that as the whole of the Continent was extending the growth and manufacture of this article, the production in all Europe, which was last year about 500,000 tons, would in ten years reach one million of tons at least. Then, it was added, neither England nor Europe will require any more cane sugar, and a great part of the ground and labour now devoted to sugar in the tropics may then be diverted to the growth of cotton and coffee. These gentlemen, however, forget that if the production increases in Europe, the consumption will do so likewise.*

The 500,000 tons present

*The consumption in Great Britain, from 1845 to 1856, had more than doubled, say from 195,000 tons to 400,000 tons, and is now 525,000 tons.

Having now given you a short review of the history of this article up to the present day in France, and I may here add that the other countries on the Continent have gradually progressed with the progress of France, although also more or less dependent on the frequent fiscal changes introduced by their Governments,-I will now proceed to state some particulars regarding the root, and its culture; then call your attention to an outline of the manufacturing process; and conclude with an exposé of the benefits other countries do, and our own country might, derive from following, in this respect, the example of France and the Continent generally, especially as regards Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, in fact wherever land and labour are available on reasonable terms.

First, then, as to the culture of the plant.

The beet-root, (French betterave,) is a biennial plant, originally from the South of Europe, and, as it appears, was first introduced into the Netherlands during the Spanish rule; from thence it was brought into Germany. It was first introduced into France in the year 1595, passing the Alps, and, according to Olivier de Serres, remaining for a long time in oblivion. In 1784 it again came into public notice, through a manuscript of the priest, Commercella.

There are two distinct species of beet commonly cultivated, each containing several varieties; the one producing succulent leaves only, the other, the vulgaris, distinguished by its large fleshy root. The former is chiefly cultivated in gardens, as a culinary vegetable, and forms one of the principal

vegetables used by the agricultural labourers and small occupiers of land in many parts of Germany, France, and Switzerland. The second species, the vulgaris, or beet-root, has long been cultivated in gardens, especially the red beet, which, when boiled and sliced, makes such excellent addition to the winter salad.

Being a native of the South, all its varieties are tender, and easily destroyed by frost when young. It thrives best in

a rich dry soil, and, from the length of its tape-root, requires a considerable depth. The white beet is, par excellence, the sort most applicable for the extraction of sugar, and is generally preferred to the other varieties.

The common field beet, for cattle, has been long known in Germany, and was introduced into England at the end of the last century; its introduction is attributed to the late Dr. Lettsom. The German name is mangel wurzel, which means scarcity root; and, by a strange translation, the French call it by two names, racine d'abondance, and also racine de disette-the first meaning abundance, the second mangel, or scarcity.

The beet presents a pivot root, the extremity of which descends deep into the soil, gathering there, through the medium of its radicles, with which it is abundantly provided, the pabulum which it requires.

The cultivation of this plant is similar to that of most of the weeded sorts, and depends on the same principles; its pivoting root is unsuited to a tenacious and clayey soil, but prospers in a rich sandy loam, easily penetrated by water, with nutritious elements to a good depth.

As regards manure, the best adapted is such as is principally composed of carbon, that is to say, of the necessary element of sugar; thus all decomposed plants are recommended. The manuring should only take place during the autumn preceding the seeding.