Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-03-28
Beet Sugar.
REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRIcuL-
TURE IN THE oIIIu LEGISLATURE.

| ithE itN INV ohio LIuiohNASnI'
Mr.. Bierce, from the standing committe o.
Agriculture, to whom was referred the me
mortal of NJ. A. Mot, and Senate Resolution
ito inquire into, and report to the Senat
such fact as may be accessible relative to tn
proprieties and value of the French suga
beet, and the propriety of encouraging it
cultivation in this State" report
That the subject referred to the committe'
is so important in its nature and so extensive
in its range, that it cannot be brought within
the space usually occupied by committee
report. 1t embraces political economy, his
tory, agricultural chemistry, finance ant
mechanics. e. ## s. s.
REPORT.
The petitioner argues, and the resolution
presupposes, that new source of wealth and
taxation may be created by the cultivation Of
sugar beets; he asserts that the soil and eli.
mate of our State are adapted to the growth Of
this root; he exhibits specimens of beet sug.
ar, made in Ohio, and he petitions the Gen
eral Assembly for the encouragement of a
new industry. % G..
Doubt, prejudice and skcpticism generally
prevail as to the possibility of making beet
sugar in America, because former attempts
have failed. 3 .EEE-
Repeated failures were "also" experienced
by other nations; still they have attained
complete success; they now derive wealth
and revenue from that new branch of agri-
cultural industry. LET E..E,I.
The beet, in the hands of +" free labor" has
asserted its supremacy over the cane and
slavery; beet sugar is no longer problem
to be solved, it is fact as patent as steam or
electricity. A nation like ours ought not to
be left behind, in this onward movement of
the world. ~
In order that our Commonwealth may
profit by the experience of others, the COM
mittee resolved to trace in all its phases the
history of the beet sugar industry and to
throw upon the subject as much light as
possible.
In 1747, the Prussian Chemist Margraf,
discovered crystalizable sugar in the beet
root; but his manufacturing process was not
practicable on large scale, and the subject
was abandoned
Towards the end of the last century,
Achard found practicable method of ex-
tracing beet sugar, and published the details
Of his operations. ....... ...... ....
Some years later, sugar became very scarce
on the Continent of Europe, on account of
the protracted blockade by the English fleets.
In 1910, Napoleon offered one million of
francs, for the first successful beet sugar fac
tory, which might have been established
within the limits of his then immense do
minions.
All competitors failed in the vain attempt
to work according to Achard's method !;
most of them were ruined, and the offer Of
the premium was withdrawn after the battle
of Waterloo.
In 1912, Napoleon ordered the formation
of five public schools, in which nothing but
the manufacture of sugar was to be taught
Each pupil was to receive 1000 francs after
three months of faithful attendance, and
every one who would engage in raising bects
or making sugar was to be relieved from
taxation during period Of five years.
At the same time, 10000 francs were
given to the Chemist Proust, and 10000
francs to Fouqucs, as reward for their ex-
perimentS on small scale.
In 1913, Napoleon ordered that four I'M
pcrial castles should be converted into facte-
ries, that their parks should be planted with
beets, so as to produce no less than four mil
lions of pounds of sugar in year his or
ders were being executed, when France was
invaded by the coalition of all Europe, and
Napoleon fell from his throne
In the meanwhile, cane sugar had been ac-
in enormous quantities. within
the Colonies and the warehouses of England,
and prices were so much reduced, that En-
glsh farmers in fattening cattle and swine
used imported cane sugar
At the fall of Napoleon, all beet sugar fac
tories lost their support; they had to en-
counter large importations Of cheap cane SUI
gar, and everyone Of them was ruined. Then
it became fashionable to ridicule the idea of
making beet sugar, and even to prosecute the
persons who had been connected with it.
Ten years later, in 1852, some Generals
and friends of Napoleon, had so far disregard
ed public prejudices against beet sugar, as to
establish thirty large factories in various
parts of France their sugar was Immediately
taxed at the rate of 100 per cent. so that all
were obliged to suspend operations.
The nobility were then ruling France they
had an interest in upholding the Colonies,
where slavery had just been re-establishcd !;
they wished to show libcra,ity, and they
granted to Mr.. Dorion, at Martinique, re-
ward of about 500, 900, for an Improvement
on Qualification, which consisted in using the
bark Of the "TheobrGma Gazuma" instead
of bullock's blood. The policy of this trans
action was to encourage slavery, whilst the
Of free labor was being checked.
True principles will prevail in spite of pref
udice ridicule and persecution. Science lent
her support to the struggling industry object
sugar failures still occurred now and then,
an account of mismanagcment or oppressive
but in 1910, the Colonies began to
lose ground; in vain did they resort to i'm
proved machinery and scientific methods :;
free labor had obtained such supremacy
that, in spite of capital and protection, slavery
was allowed to die without struggle in ls4s
At the present time, cane sugar from
French Colonies is still protected by differcn-
tial duties beet sugar pays tax Of 274
francs on the 100 kilos, 6 cents per ID. be-
sides its part of land tax, building tax and
patent tax.
Among other European nations, the beet
sugar industry was also hindered by failures,
prejudices and taxation. 1t is more or less
prosperous, in proportion to the liberalism of
governments.
Belgium, Holland, Baden, Prussia. Wur-
temburg, Bavaria, Saxony, Austria, Hungary,
Russia and Turkey, manufacture beet sugar
the climate or the policy of England seems
to be adverse to that industry.
ATNOSpUERJCA INF IrrvCES