529.  In  England  this  root  is  frequently  sold  at  £l  (=:$4.88)
per  ton,  but  the  real  value  to  the  farmer  for  feeding,  is  estima
ted  at  about  one  half,  or  $2.00.  In  this  country,  where  meat
brings  a  lower  price,  the  value  is  of  course  less.  The  improve
ment  of  the  land,  when  properly  cultivated,  ought,  however,  to
be  estimated  as  a  profit

530:cNo  peculiar  diseases  or  insects  appear  to  injure  this  crop
in  the  United  States.  In  Europe,  there  are  several  of  both,
and  of  late  in  France  it  has  suffered  from  a  Rot  similar  to  that
of  the  Potato.
531.   A.  sort  of  beer  is  sometimes  made  of  it,  at  a  low  cost.
A  good  vinegar  may  also  be  procured  by  grating  the  root,
expressing  the  juice  into  a  barrel,  and  allowing  it  to  undergo  fer
mentation  in  a  warm  place.  Six  gallons  have  been  made  from
a  bushel  of  the  root  of  the  Sugar-beet  A  cider-mill  might  be
used  for  the  purpose.
As  this  root  is  the  raw  material  of  an  extensive  manufacture,  which  demands  great
scientific  skill,  its  culture  and  peculiarities  have  leen  thorougly  studied  ;  and  more,
probably,  has  been  written  upon  it  than  almost  any  other  vegetable  product  whatever
except  wheat.  In  these  pages,  we  have  only  been  able  to  give  a  compressed  abstract,
and  therefore  refer  the  reader  to  the  following  works  among  many  others.  Thaer'»
Principles  of  Agriculture  ;  Johnston's  Agricul.  Chemist.;  Journ.  of  Royal  Agricul.
Socy.  of  England,  vol.  xiii.;  Pat.  Off.  Reports  1849  ;  British  Farmers'  Magazine  vols.
xxii,  xxiii.:  Knapp's  Technology  vol.  iii;  Journal  d'  Agriculture  pratique,  Tomevii.
Low's  practical  Agriculture ,  Stephen's  Farmer's  Guide ;  Wiggiu's  American  Far
mer,  &c  ,  &c.
16


CHAPTER   XVIII.
