The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-24

the potato (Which is now an uncertain crop in Europe
but also compete successfully with the valuable
grains and bfeadstuts
Among The agricultural products entering into the gem
era consumption OF all civilized nations. sugar deserv
eddy occupies very high rank II is disputed ques-
ton whether the is indigenous TO America Ii
has been known and cultivated from the earliest periods
in Asia, and especially in China and is by sup
posed 10 have been introduced into America by the Span
iads and Portuguese Others maintain that the is
plant Indigenous TO the New World incline TO the
ter opinion bu, leave the subject TO those who have the
time and inclination 10 investigate IT,
Sugar from cane IS produced TO great extent In the
United States but large portion is yet imported from
foreign countries. Whether the United States will ever
be able 10 produce the quantity required for their
consumption remains TO be seen, and will in all lkeli-
hood depend the probable annexation Of sugar
growing States to the Union. Some portions of Louis
lana, Texas and Florida produce cane sugar to the
tent of rewardng The cuyatos while. in many OF the
northern States, large amounts OF sugar manufactured
from the maple tree. The whole quantity, however,
does not meet the demand for home consumptoni and
the question has often been asked, whether other
plant, easily raised and cultivated, may not, part
least supply the deficiency?
The cultivation of the beeroot for the manufacture OF
sugar. introduced in France during the operation of
the continental system That prohbitory SYSTEM long
II continued constituted itself the anpest protection
against all foreign competition; ba. when, upon the fall
of Napoleon, of the French colonies which had
been seized upon by Great Britain during the
restored France and the continental system itself aban
doned protection in the shape of high duties upon colo
NAL sugar deemed necessary to sustain the culiva-
ton OF the beetroo Under Louis Philippe the growth
OF beetroot and the manufacture OF beet sugar
ceved The almost attention and fostering OF the gov
ernmenl. Both were encouraged by series OF egsla
tive enactments, and for while fierce struggle was
maintained between the advocates OF the French colonial
system and the friends OF the domestic article The large
land predominant interest OF the consumer which re-
qured act of justice all that both kinds of sugar
should be able to compete fairly for the home market was
entirely lett out OF the question Meanwhile the prOec
ton OF bee-root sugar increased than ien-fod in
amount and since the removal of the protection by
the imposition OF excise duty upon it, equal to the i'm,
Jutt thor ,f ind,
has maintained itself in defiance oil all competition
am not that the soil and climates of France
in any respect better adapted TO the cultivation OF the beet
root than many portions OF the United States. AT all
events considering that Prussia, Belgium Saxony other
parts OF Germany and Russia have initiated the
ample OF France with The same not greater success.
there Is no TO suppose that it is entirely inappca
BILE to the United States situated, for the most part in
equally favorable atudes, add subjected similar inu-
ences OF climate Is mol therefore, question worthy
OF your attention whether the cultivation OF the beetIoot
sugar plant no, Re successfully introduced into
our country as means % supplying the deficiency OF
cane
This subject derives additional in,eres, from the con-
sideration that sugar this country has become
Gle OF ordinary daily consumption BY every class OF
population, and that the comfort and The wellbeng OF our
industrial iaoorers require thai IT'S consumption should
rather increase than diminish in proportion 10 The ncreas
ing population OF the United States.
Rice native OF India, but at early period OF
colonial history transpaned 10 the shores OF South
Carolina and Georgia believe hazard nothing IN as
serlng that II is now growing more uxuriany on our
DINA rice, on account oil its superior quality, commands
the very highest price in foreign markets Its the staple
article OF section OF country which is comparatively
vaueess for any other species OF agricultural produc
tions-beng principally raised swampy ground, nau
rally subject 10 inundaon.
Ii is moreover, confined TO few localities and limited
in quantity, though constituting very valuable crop
Heretofore rice has only been raised in southern attitudes
but within lew years-snce the Territory OF Minnesota
tina, the nnumerable small lakes and swamps which dol,
the map OF that section OF country upon the headwaieTs
OF the Mississippi, contain luxurious and spontaneous
growth OF wild rice, which is well adapted 10 culinary
purposes Is it not, then, subject worthy OF investga
ton, whether this species OF rice, native OF the
North, and accustomed 10 northern climate, may not be
produced in the swamps and marshes which disgure
best agricultural regions and remain source OF dis
and death to their inhabitants merely throw out
these hints to direct your attention to the subject not
knowing whether others may not have preceded me. |
leave to your better knowledge, and TO your practical
qualifications farmers, 10 make the necessary expert
mens believing that in agriculture, as in other sciences
and occupations experience alone is the proper test oil all
discoveries and improvements
| have within the last year procured considerable
quantity OF the seeds OF this rice from the Patent Office
at Washington and distributed them among those whom
thought likely 10 make experiments different parts OF
the country; but sufficient time has elapsed
tain the result Were il not for the British system of diff
iereh,ia duties upon articles the productions OF different
species OF labor, South Carolina and Georgia rice would
have continued TO be exported in large quantities but
the system by which England has OF late years favored
the agricultural products of her East Iada Provinces
the detriment and ruin OF her West India colonies
has also for a time least exercised dscoufaging in
huence the rice growers OF America. II is subject
OF congrauaon, therefore, TO know that recently
rice has found ready home market at such remunera
ting prices promise to that branch OF agriculture long
period Of prosperity and success
Hemp has long been, and still continues TO be, a very
considerable item in foreign imports. The govern
men itself has, from its foundation, been large importer
OF hemp for naval purposes in addition to what has been
introduced, private account principally Tor the use OF
commercial marine.
The mporiatons commenced when little or no hemp
oduced in this country, and have been continued
under the impression that American hemp was not equal
that of Russia for the manufacture OF cordage II has
long since been asceained, however, that our soil and
climate well adapted to the growth OF hemp and that
produce it cheapy and IN abundance. Is now
believed that the hemp grown in Kentucky Missouri,
Ohio illinois, Indiana Iowa, and perhaps other States
OF the Union is fully equal TO the Russian IN strength
and texture and that countrymen have discovered
process OF roitng by which IT be rendered equal,
SUPERIOR thai Of Russia for all purposes TO which
the latter has been applied in this country The fact rem.
deIs the culture OF hemp well worth the attention OF
American agriculturiss. people only the second,
and destined TO be the first, commercial and mari
time nation OF the world ought TO bestow special
all products necessary 10 the OF its commercial
and naval enterprise The capacity Of our soil for the
production OF hemp il Unlimited; while our immense
foreigp coastwise and internal navigation insure 10 it
an ample and increasing home market
would fain say few words on the culture OF null
berries, with the raising OF the silk worm
and the lacture OF silk that the expert
ments heretofore made have usually proved unsuccess
full but the enterprise resembled more mercantile spec
ulation than fair trial by practical men. am 10th 10
southern ATTITUDES there should not be spot favorable
the cultivation OF the silk worm. Silk worms, and The
peculiar species OF mulberry upon which They live, were
hrst introduced into Asia Minor from Cnina and the