The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-08-11
m:9he Earnt+
BETS AND BEET SUGAR.
From tie american Farmer.


Value and Culture Of Beets, to which they
add an appendix on the production of
beets for sugar, which we give below. 1t
will be of interests to our readers to
know that Maine has offered bounty for
the production of sugar beets, and that
our neighboring State of Delaware has, by
her Legislature, made an appropriation and
appointed commission to expend it, for
encouraging the growing of beets for sugar
The commission has offered premiums of
per centage of sugar.
Sugar is annually imported into the
United States to the amount, we believe,
of over 100000, 900, and though there may
be some drawbacks and disasters, there
can be little doubt that the time will come
when the manufacture of beet sugar will
become paying industry in this country
Prof Goessman has produced at the Massa
chusetts Agricultural College some very
fine samples of sugar at cost which would
seem not to be an extravagant one, con-
sidering the facilities for it's production.
ON BEET SUGAR.
The producer of cattle feeding roots
must needs be somewhat familiar with the
Sugar Beet and its uses, and so impressed
are we with the prospective advantage of
Beet Sugar manufacture in the United
States, that the attention of the readers of
this pamphlet is invited to the brief re-
marks we have to offer. We are now en-
gagged in conducting some experiments on
our farms in four different States, under
distinct conditions of soil and climate, and
hope to be able to present results which
will certainly be interesting and possibly
of practical value.
In Europe, the manufacture of Beet
Sugar has stimulated agricultural enterprise
to wonderful extent and is annually ex-
tending over broader territory. In fifteen
years it has increased fourfold. At first
the Governments of France and Germany
paid bounties to the manufacturers, and in
addition protected them by high tariff;
now these same Governments exact an in
ternal revenue tax of from thirty four to
fifty-five dollars on every acre of roots
grown; and in the face of this enormous
tax, the farmers and manufactures were
never more prosperous.
The Beet Sugar made in Europe in 1915
amounted to 1,317,623 tons, production
equal to CT per cent, of the cane sugar
manufactured in the world. The internal
reuenue tax upon European Beet Sugar
amounted in 1S74-'5 to over 100000 900 of
dollars.
The production of Beet Sugar in France
is 2,040 lbs. per acre. The amount of Cane
Sugar produced in Louisiana is 1904 lbs.
per acre. The gross production of Louis
lana in 1875 was only one eighth of the
amount of sugar consumed in the United
States, the inhabitants Of which consume
twice as much per capita as those of any
other country. Similar data to any extent
can be furnished proving beyond cavil the
profitableness of the Sugar Beet industry
in Europe, and that a full demand can be
found in our domestic markets for all that
can be made.
The general improvements consequent
on the manufacture of sugar are of ines
Unable advantage to the prosperity of any
locality or country where it has been sue
cessfully pursued. The manufacture slim
ulateS the production of other crops, as
Beets can be grown to the best advau-
tage only under a pratical system Of rota
ton of crops. The high manuring neces-
sary in Beet culture results in beautiful
harvestS of intermediate crops. In addi
ton, the processes of culture commencing
in April and continuing till October, and
those of manufacture lasting from October
till April, made an increased demand for
laborers, adding to the permanent popula-
ton of the district, and the supply of
whose increased wants brings prosperity to
others,-thus completing the circle of So
cal prosperity.
The fattening of cattle upon the cake
or cellular residum from the processes is
exceedingly profitable, and stimulates the
production of hay and grain-these being
necessary adjuncts. The manure carefully
saved, under the system of stall feeding, is
returned to the lands whence the roots
were taken; and with judicious application
of commercial manures the fertality of the
soil is annually enhanced.
The processes OF culture require i'm
proved agricultural implements; with these
comes the closer observation of rural affairs
and thus the farmer is educated to habits
of investigation, as well in agricultural
chemistry as the general study of vegetable
life.
Thus it may readily be perceived that
the Beet Sugar industry is profitable to all
concerned; all classes participate in the
prosperity it creates and diffuses. No agri-
cultural pursuit is so beneficial to the COM
munity where it is carried on-the produc-
ers and manufacturers dealing directly with
each other.
At a County Agricultural Exhibition in
France the following significant inscription
was placed on a triumphal arch: Z" Before
the manufacture of Beet Sugar the arron-
basement of Ealenciennes produced Cos,
80 bushels oe wheat and fattened 700 oxen
Since the manufacture of Beet Sugar was
introduced the reimbursement of Valen-
ciennes produces l, 157, 80 bushels of wheat
and fattens II 800 oxen.''
In Beet Sugar districts the proprietors of
the factories, as a rule, have some hun
dreds of acres under their own control, and
purchase additional supplies OF roots from
their neighbors, at prices ranging from four
to five dollars ton. A factory costing ten
thousand dollars in its equipment will work
up, during the manufacturing season of six
months 100 acres of roots and afford en-
ployment for ten or twelve operatives
One costing fifty thousand dollars will EN-
ploy fifty men and work up annually the
roots grown upon 800 acres-the annual
area in roots under four-course rotation
of 1000 acres.
The root grower can average twelve tons
to the acre, often fifteen and over: the cost
of production of which should not exceed
forty dollars per acre on a most liberal al
lowance for rent of land, manure and labor
In Europe the leaves cut from the crop
in air-tight, under. ground chambers, and
are relished by cattle when fed mixed with
other food.
The pressed pulp sold by the manufactur-
ers amounts to about 90 per cent of the
weight of the roots used. 1t is valued at
So ton as cattle food, and can be thor
oughly preserved in underground vaults. or
equally as well in deep trenches from which
the air is excluded. This cake is looked
upon as highly valuable factor in the pro
duction of sugar. a sixty thousand dollar
factory producing cake sufficient to feed
300 head of cattle during period of six or
seven months
Fattening stock, it will thus be seen,
becomes prominent feature in all districts
where the Beet Sugar industry is pursued:
and with the new markets opened abroad
to the almost iimitless import of Ameii lean
beef this feature is of increased importance.
The cultivated Sugar Beet is pre- emf
nently potash plant. This element must
be literally supplied to effect good results,
and though other constituent parts are