The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-03-08
Beet Sugar in California.


articles from the San Francisco papers in
relation to the manufacture of Beet Sugar
in the State of California So sanguine
were some of those interested in this
manufacture, that it was supposed that in
time, and that not very distant, sufficient
sugar would be made from beets to nearly
supply thedemands of the Pacific Coast for
that article, and THAT to the great profit OF
the producer Acting upon this idea, large
companies were formed, large tracts OF
land planted with beets, and expensive
machinery procured for the manufacture
of the article. By the figures, (made
before the experiment was tried, it was
proved, conclusively, that no agricultural
enterprise in California could by any pos
sibility return such enormous profits as
the culture of sugar beets. On those
figures was based the great outlay for
machinery. People who wished to enter
into the business did not feel the necessity
of trying the experiment on a small scale
to prove that it might be made profitable
on large one, but entered at once upon
lavish expenditure, making all their pre-
parations on the grandest scale.
In the Annual Review of the CONNER
cial Herald, of San Francisco, published
January 18th, we find statement of the
result of the first years labor of one large
beet sugar establishment, the Beet Sugar
Factory at Alvarado, which, although it
demonstrates that Beet Sugar can be
made in California, proves conclusively
that under present circumstances it can
not be made in that State without great
loss TO the manufacturer. The following
table, given by the Herald, will show the
amount of loss suffered by the Company
during the first year:
ain opposition to the estimates which We see SO
often made on this subject present the calcula.
tons made by competent party to the cost of
working 5000 tons OF 5eets up into sugar. Ono
Who Knows says l wilassume sugar beets aualyze
u per cent.-a high figure, knowing that beets in
Alvarado tested only 6, Z, and per cent, where
the best viii not test above Il per cent
5000 tons Beets, yield per cent. saleable
sugar-S0OOOO fbs.-say l2 cts z d 900
5000 tons Beets, yield per cent. dark salt
sugar for refining purposes-lS0, 900 lbs
Amount received from the products of 5000
tons of Beets. S46,S 500
Expenses of working 5000 tons of Bcets in a
factory having capacity of 30 tons per day:
5000 tons of beets at $3.50. sic, 500
500 tons coal at Observation-Disclosures. 1880
80 Cinnamon, 60 days at SO cts.............. 2400
60 white laborcrs, 90 days at s1.5O......... 800
2 engineers, 60 days at S4................... 4SO
2 frcmen, GO days at $3..................... $50
2 charcoal burners, GO days at S3............ $50
per annum ............... 1900
First boiler and manager, per annum. 1000
Second boiler and manager, per annum...... 1,500
Machinery will decrease in value 10 per cent.
per annum, 100000. ...........-......... 10000
Money invested, Sl25OOO, at &c. per month 1900
Light, Beet root factory running day and
night,) GO days at $40 per night. 600
Waste on charcoal or bone-Glack, 500 lbs. per
day, GO days, 5000 lbs, at 4 cts... 100
Sleeves in centrifugal machines say 10 ma
chimes, each sleeves, 81 sleeves at So. 800 |
Insurance s5OOOO at 5 Pc................... $500
Oil, brooms, spades, shovels, etc, at IS per
day, 60 days ....................... -. 800
Taxes, per annum. Observation-Disclosures. $500 |
Sugar barrels, to hold $4,000 lbs, at = cent 2,4OO
Commission on gross sales guaranteed, &c. 2,34O
Discount allowed on sales, % 9c.......... 1,l7G
Freight and drayagc. ..................... go
Total ......................... $50 900
Deduct amount OF sales Observation-Disclosures. 46 500
Loss of the Company. observation-disclosures 500 200
Let Beet Root Factory try and work 5000 tons