The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-03-21
The Sugar Beet Culture.

1t is gratifying to know that arrangements
have been made by the Governor and Coun-
Gil with Mr.. Gennert which render probable
the immediate establishment of beet sugar
mandatory in this State. This cannot fail
to be of great benefit to the agricultural in
terests of the State. 1t creates home mar
ket for new product of our farmers to
which our soil and climate are admirably
adapted. This latter fact has been abun-
dantly demonstrated in different parts of the
State by farmers who have raised the beets
to feed cattle, use for which they are very
valuable.
The Legislature of 1877 gave encourage
ment to the enterprise by the passage of the
following resolution:
The Governor and Council are hereby author
lied upon such terms and conditions as they
shall deem advantageous to the State, to con-
tract with any responsible party or COM
pauy to pay said party or com pany q
sum not exceeding one cent per pound, on all
beet sugar manufactured in this State, from
beets raised in this State, the amount Of bounty
so paid not to exceed seven thousand dollars 10
any one year, and not to exceed ten years from
the time OF the payment of the first bounty
money.
Acting under this authority the Governor
and Council made careful examination of the
processes of manufacture and the details of
the business generally as shown to them by
Mr.. Gennert, German gentleman who has
been for years interested in the manu-
facture of beet sugar. In the arrangement
made with Mr.. Gennert the State is thor
oughly protected. He is to establish the
mandatory at his own charge, and not one
ness is in successful operation. Then the
State will pay TO him the bounty authorized
by the legislature of one cent per pound, not
exceeding seven thousand dollars In all for
any year. It is certainly very moderate
bounty if it shall accomplish its object of en-.
couraging agriculture and making more pro-
ductive our great areas of farming land. The
range of agricultural products in Maine is
somewhat limited and it behooves US to make
the most of our capabilities. To the farmeIs
there is no chance of loss in the enterprise.
We understand that Mr.. GeRners proposes to
make contracts with them for the crop, to
furnish them with seed for which he will
exact no payment until he buys the product,
and to pay cash for the beets when he takes
them. II by any mischance he should be
unable to take the crop, the. farmers will have
excellent food for their cattle, worth more for
that purpose than it has cost them.
+ The place for the mandatory has not
been selected. 1t is hoped that it may be
located in Portland-perhaps Browns sugar
house may be used for the purpose-as the
place is, on the whole, most convenient. 1t
does not, however, make much difference to
The farmers where it is placed, as Mr.. Gen.
merit proposes to establish several small drying
houses in the midst of different agriculture 4
communities where the beets may be great'iy
reduced in bulk to facilitate transportation.
Thus remote localities will be placed subs tan
TALLY in as good position as those nefAr the
central mandatory. The enterprise. is full
of promise of good to the farmers Of the State
and thus to the State at large, for all classes
sympathize with the prosperity of the tillers
Of the soil. The Governor and Council have
done we'll in this business and we may all
hope that their efforts in behalf of the State
may meet with the success which they merit.