The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-05-28
Beet Sugar Manufacture.

movement has been set on foot for resum
ing on an extended scale the manufacture of
sugar from beet root in England. This man.
ulacture was carried on from 1869 to 1873 by
Mr.. James Duncan at Lavenhan, in Suffolk.
The cause Of failure was Of two-fold nature,
arising firstly from the fact that Mr.. Duncan
was unable to obtain sufficient supply of
beet roots, and secondly from the fact that be
had to send the juice to London to be crystal
LIKED in his refinery. The present movement
has been set on foot by Bolton and Partners
(Limited) of 4, The Sanctuary, Westminster.
who have acquired the works of Mr.. Duncan,
and who have arranged for the cultivation of
beet root on an extended scale in the district.
Farmers have already engaged to cultivate it
to the extent of 500 acres, and others are
promising TO follow. Mr.. Duncan's factory
was laid out for the treatment of | 900 tons
OF beet root per annum, but he was never able
to obtain more than 500. The method of treat
ment, too, which will be adopted by the new
proprietors differs considerably from that of
MIR. Duncan, in that 1t is simpler, easier, and
less costly in respect of labor, The chief agent
in the new process for precipitating the sugar
is strontia, which is perfectly innocuous, and
is found in large quantities in various parts of
England. The notifications in the process
necessitate notifications in the machinery, and
accordingly an entirely new set of apparatus
Is being manufactured by the Elves Lille Com
pany Of France, and will be in position at Law
enham in time for the works to be started on
Oct. l, 1854. There the beets will be sliced
and submitted to the action of water, the re-.
sulting liquor being treated with strontia, the
sugar by this means being precipitated and
separated from the impurities of the roots.
The precipitate Of sugar and strontia is then
treated with carbonic acid gas, which throws
down the strontia, leaving a pure and strong
syrup, which is crystallized in the ordinary
manner.
The matter has made such progress that an
inaugural dinner was given at the Athepaum.
Bury St, Edmund's. The chair was occupied
by Col. Sir Francis Bolton who said that sew
eral acres of beets were being grown on the
Royal farms at Windsor and Sandringham for
treatment at the works. Mr. J. Dodds, MI
referred to the improving aspect of agricultu-
raj matters and pointed out how great the util-
izatlon OF portion of their land for the cult
walton of beet would assist the farmers in the
present connection. Mr.. W. Biddell, NJ. P,
drew attention to the adaptability of the soil
aud climate of Great Britain for the cultivation
oil beets, and referred to statistics to show the
great increase in its cultivation ON the conti-
NNN years. MI. VI. Martlleau OBJ
served that some beets were grown in Lincoln-
shlre and others grown in the Isle of Thanet
had been tested and were found to give excel
lent results in respect of yield of sugar. An
other point was that beet culture induced bet
ter wheat crops, inasmuch as higher farming
was necessary. Sir Lyon Playfair said that
the practical farmer required to be very SCI
entihc man, requiring as he did a knowledge
OF botany, zoology, chemistry, of the soil and
OF manures, meteorolegy and mechanics. He
then explained the sPecial part strontia PLAYED
ln'tle process and stated that he looked for
ward with hope and interest TO the establish
mment OF the new industry in this country. |
me total quantity of beet root sugar imported |
INTO tGls country annually during the last three
years had averaged 4ls,T3s tons, representing
value OF some flO.OOO,OOO sterling, which
ought to be Kept in the country. There was
no lear oil competition from the United States
y America as sugar beet could not be success
,uily grown there. The undertaking could
" iall to succeed provided good supply
p Deets was insured. Another gentleman
pointed out that by the use of strontia, river
pollution % would be avoided, that being an evil
MI Duncan had to contend with.
Aeere is every prospect of the industry be-
coming suecess.-LOHdos Tines.