icultural improvement."

The quantity of sugar extracted from beet-root in the commencement of
the process, amounted to only 2 per cent.; but it was afterwards made
to yield 5 per cent., and it was then supposed possible to extract 6
per cent. On this calculation the fiscal regulations for the
protection of colonial sugars in France were founded; but recent
experiments have been made, by means of which as much as ten and a
half per cent. of sugar has been obtained. The following notice of the
improved process is given in a number of the _Constitutionnel_:--

"It appears that a great improvement is likely to be made in the
manufacture of beet-root sugar. Those who are acquainted with the
process of this manufacture, are aware that M. de Dombasle has the
last six years exclusively devoted himself to bring to perfection
the process of maceration, of which he is the inventor. Adopting
recent improvements, this process is materially altered, and has now
arrived at such a point of perfection that it could scarcely be
exceeded. The Society for the Encouragement of National Industry
recently appointed committees to examine the effect produced in the
manufactory of Roville. They witnessed the entire progress of the
work, every part of which was subjected to minute investigation.
Similar experiments have been made in the presence of many
distinguished manufacturers. We have not the least intention to
prejudge the decision which may be made on this subject by the
society we have alluded to; but we believe we are able to mention
the principal results that have regularly attended the works of the
manufactory this year. The produce in coarse sugar has been more
than eight per cent. of the first quality, and more than two per
cent. of the second quality, in all nearly ten and a half per cent.
of the weight of beet-root used; and the quality of these sugars has
been considered by all the manufacturers superior to anything of the
kind that has hitherto been made, and admits of its being converted
into loaf-sugar of the first quality. The progress of these
operations is as simple as possible, and the expenses attending the
manufacture are considerably less than that of the process hitherto
adopted."

The cultivation of the beet in France appears likely to prove still
more advantageous, in consequence of the discovery that the molasse