Select Plants fo r Industrial Culture and
Europe. The extraction of tlie sap is effected generally by hydraulic
pressure; the juice is purified with lime aud animal charcoal; excess
of lime is removed by carbonic acid, and the purified and decolourised
juice is evaporated in vacnum-pans, with a view to prevent the
extensive conversion of the crystallisable sugar into treacle. The
production of beet-sngar needs less labour than th a t of cane-sugar;
also the harvest is obtained in so short a time as eight months. The
beet has shown itself subject neither to fungus-diseases nor to extensive
attacks of insects. I t is mostly grown in extra-tropical zones,
while the sugar-cane is confined to tropical and sub-tropical latitudes.
Beet-culture, by directly or indirectly restoring the refuse, ameliorates
the soil to such an extent, that in some parts of Europe land so
utilised has risen to four-fold its former value. I t is considered
advisable to grow beet only every sixth or eighth year. This rather
long interval is necessary, not because beet is an exhaustive crop, but
to prevent the increase of nematoid worms [South .African Agricultu
rist]. The beet furthermore affords one of the most fattening
stable-fodders ; and thus again an ample supply of manure. In the
beet-districts of Middle Europe about one-sixth of the arable land is
devoted to beets, yet the produce of cereals has not been reduced,
while the rearing of fattened cattle has increased. Notwithstanding
a lieavy ta x on the beet-sugar-factories in Europe, the industry has
proved prosperous, and assumes greater and greater dimensions. In
Central Europe the yield of sugar-beet is from 10 to 14 tons per
acre, the average return of sugar about a ton, without the molasses
[Meyer’s Lexicon], In 1865 the sugar consumption of Europe
amounted to 1,583,825 tons, one-third of which had been locally
supplied by the beet, from over one thousand factories. Treacle
obtained from beet is distilled for alcohol. For establishing remunerative
factories on a large and paying scale, it has been suggested, that
farmers’ companies might be formed. For ascertaining the percentage
of sugar in the beet, Saccharometers are used. In Germany some
scientific periodicals are exclusively devoted to the fostering of this
industry. In 1875 the total production of beet-sugar amounted to
1,318,000 tons [Boucheraux]
In 1882 fully 38 per cent, of the
world’s supply of sugar was i
[ erived from the beet. The beet-sugar
crop of 1886 in all Europe was estimated at 2,500,000 tons. During
1886 the import of unrefined beet-sngar into Britain was 333,590
tons, valued a t £3,988,534, irrespective of the import of refined.
The present production of beet-sugar amounts to over 3^ million
tons. Germany produced in 1890 in about 400 factories from
9,825,039 tons of beet 1,260,950 tons of sugar.
B e tu la a lb a , Linné.
“ White Birch.” The common Birch of Europe and Extra-tropical
Asia and North-America. With some Willows approaching nearer
to the North-Pole than any other woody vegetation, but ceding in
milder regions before the Beech, when occurring mixed. I t attains-
a height of 80 feet, and a stem-girth of 16 feet, and would, when
cultivated, thrive best in moist glens of ranges or in the higher
rêvions of mountains, and it would form at the alpine zone also excellent
shelter-plantations. The variety B. pubescens (Elirhart) attains
still a height of 60 feet in lat. 70° N. in Norway [Schuebeler].
Content with the poorest soil. The variety B. popiilifolia (Willd.)
extends to North-Eastern America, the variety B. occidentalis
(Hooker) to North-Western America. The durable bark serves for
rough roofing and watertight baskets. Wood white, turning red,
tough, adapted for spools, skates, wooden shoes, shoe-pegs and many
other minor purposes, also for some parts of- the work of organ-
biiilders; affords like th a t of other Beeches charcoal for gunpowder.
The oil of the bark is used in preparing the Russian leather. The
leaves, when boiled with the addition of alum and potash, produce a
yellow dye, which is called in Germany Scliiittgelb.
B e tu la a ln o id e s , Hamilton.
Himalaya, between 3,000 and 10,000 feet. Attains a height of 60
feet, and thrives along forest-streams. The wood is hard, strong and
durable. Another Himalayan Birch, B. utilis (D. Don), grows on
arid ground, aud produces good timber of less hardness.
B e tu la le n ta , Linné.
The “ Cherry-Birch ” of North-America. A tree reaching to 80
feet in height, and 2 feet in stem-diameter, liking moist ground, but
also content with dry soil. Comparatively quick in growth. N o rth ward,
hardy to Christiania in Norway [Schuebeler], Wood rose-
coloured or dark, fine-grained, excellent for furniture. I t is so heavy,
that when fresh it will not float in water. I t is used for ships’ keels,
machinery, furniture and other purposes, where strength, hardness,
and durability are required. Bark of a somewhat aromatic odor.
Several Birches occur in Jap an ; these might well be tried elsewhere.
B e tu la lu te a , Michaux.
The “ Yellow or Gray Birch ” of North-Eastern America. Height
sometimes 80 feet. Adapted for moist forest-land. In timber
similar to B. lenta. The wood is used for shoe-lasts and various
other purposes.
B e tu la n ig ra , Linné.
The “ Red' Birch ” or “ River-Birch ” of North-America. One of
the tallest of Birches, attaining to 90 feet. Occasionally more than
3 feet in stem-diameter. I f grown on the banks of streams, it will
bear intense heat. The wood is compact, of a light colour, easily
worked, excellent for turning, also in use_ by cabinet-makers and
carriage-builders ; well adapted to sustain shocks and friction
[Robb]. I t is also used for shoe-lasts, bowls and trays, and the
saplings and branches for hoops. The bark is well adapted for rough
roofing. Twigs of the Red Birch furnish one of the best materials
for rough brooms. Hardy a t Christiania [Schuebeler].
vl 1':