The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-23

BEET SUGAR ATT THE WEsT.-The Coun-
try Gentleman calls upon us for informa
ton concerning the beet enterprise in TINS
vicinity. WehaVe from time to time gwen
what was being done here, but will reca-
pitulate for the benefit OF our esteemed CO.
temporary.
There were three plantations on quite
large scale. Two Of them under the super
vision of Mr.. Mott-one near kankakee on
the ]. G. z. r., and the other in Wisconsin.
Owing to the drouth and other causes, bOth
crops have proved nearly failures. we
doubt if anything results from them. lhe
other plantation is that of Gennert Bro
theirs, at Chatsworth, III, o fnll account OF
whose operations will be found i'll the
Prairie Farmer OF Nov, 7th, 1868, as fol-
lows:
During the winter Of 1862, Mr.. Belcher,
the superintendent Of the sugar refinery in
this city, and VIM. II. Osborn, President OF
the Illinois Central Railroad, with their
usual liberality and foresight, imported
several hundred pounds Of the seed OF the
best sugar producing beets of Europe, en-
bracing some four or five varieties. These
were distributed gratuitously among the
farmers OF the Nc Ith-west, in order to test
the quality Of beets grown on different
soils.
Samples were collected by Mr.. Belcher
from large number of points when grown
and carefully analysed, giving from nearly
all satisfactory evidence of richness IN sac
charne matter. Mr.. Beicher went even
further, and expressed some juice, boiling
it down III an open kettle, when 1t granu-
lated giving good yield Of very strong
grained and pleasant Favored sugar.
Meantime Mr.. T. Gennert, OF the frrn
Of Gennert Brothers, Of New York
city, had made I. journey 10 Germany,
carefully Investigated for himself the cul-
tivation OF the beet and the mirutia Of
manufacture. being afforded every facility
compatible with the rules OF the asso:a-
ton of manufacturers. He fully decided
10 make the experiment on scale which
should thoroughly prove the matter in this
country. Having previously travelled over
nearly all the States OF the Union, making
himself familiar with the soils OF the coun-
try, he decided 70 locate in Illinois,
After having spent some time III eXamin-
ing locations. so as to secure suitable land,
cheap fuel, tsc, ne made choice OF loca-
ttion at Chatsworth, Livingston county,
situated on the line Of the PeoTiaG Cqua"-
ka Railroad, between the main line ard
Chicago branch OF the Illinois Central
Railroad, anoEt one hundred miles distant
by rail from Chicago. Contracting Tor two
sections OF Land, the brothers at once conf
menaed % prepare Tor 2 crop 81 beets, ana
10 erect factory. Knowing the impor-
lance Of thorough preparation OF the
ground, they 81 ONCE procured the nece--
sary plows and teams 10 turn up and pull
yerize the ground 10 the depth OF one foot,
not eleven inches-it was mostly done By
the Michigan double plow; a part OF it was
plowed last fall, and a part in the spring.
"A bout one hundred acres were prepared Ut
2 very heavy expense.
The seed planted was imported by them
from the most reliable sources, and plant
ed, some of it being dibbled in, others
sowed in drills, and notwithstanding the
excessive drouth and the unfavoraDie
weather Of the spring, which delayed the
planting Of a large part Of it until quite late,
the excessive drouth of the summer, and
the early frosts, they have now crop on
the ground which will yield in quantity az
much as the average Of the best fields OF
Europe. AS to the quality in saccharine
properties. an analysis of them made last
week by Mr.. Bedder of this city, shows II!
per cent Of crystalizable cane sugar, and 81
per cent. Of other soluble impurities-of
which at least or 9 per cent. Of sugar
should be extracted, at which rate the yield
Of il would be from $500 to 5000 pounds
per acre.
The crop is now being harvested and pit
ted preparatory TO commencing the manu- :
tacture.
The building occupies ground space Of
one hundred and fifty by one hundred feet,
ana the lower ana fltlu VI Ail
feet, the whole being constructed in the
most thorough and substantial manner
the supporters Of each floor are entirely IN
dependent Of the others, SO that in case Of
overlooking any one the building has no
strain.
The machinery is driven by two engines,
a large and powerful one for driving the
craters, centrifugals, washers, DC, a
smaller one for the pumps and vacuum
pan. The whole establishment has been
erected without regard to expense, in the
very best and most substantial manner
The machinery for grating and swinging
out the juice has been imported from Ger
many, is the best and most improved in
use there, and we cannot doubt that album
dant success will crown the labors OF Messrs
Gennert Brothers-who have been the first
in the Union who are willing to risk SO
large a sum Of money as was necessary
(about O,OOO,) to make the experiment.
That such may be the result and our own
Prairie State have the honor of the inaugu-
ration of it is the sincere wish of all who
have watched the energy and perseverance
Of Mr., G., who has met with many obsta :
Giles and difficulties which would have dis
Outraged almost any other man.-PrGirte
Farmer.
THE CULTURE OF SORGHUN.-A SOr-