[Grape sugar manufacture assays under Premier Empire]

The Continental Blockade was established by the Decree of Berlin (1806). Scientists, manufacturers, and politicians were interested in grape sugar as a substitute for cane sugar. Grape sugar had been extracted and refined by Proust (1754-1826), in Spain, on a laboratory scale. He was invited by the Government to search a way of producing grape sugar on an industrial scale. As a scientist, he accompanied manufacturers in their assays. The matter is closed about 1811. It throws light on aspects of scientist's relationship, and part of authorities in the birth and failure of an agricultural industry. It signs the transition from an economic system directed by the Government to a system managed by manufactuers. This story forcasts the partition between scientists and manufacturers which will increase in France during all the century. As his compatriot Volney, Proust was an ideologue, searching for basic, general laws and useful science.