The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-03-13
Sugar Production in California.

BY PROFESSOR Z. W. HLGARD, STATE UNIVERSITY.
The late rise in the prices of Sugars has once
more directed public attention strongly to the
possibilities OF producing at home this important
article, whose increasing consumption shows that
il is more and more taking the position of an
article OF food instead of that of a mere condi-
ment. The movement toward the laTge-scale Gull
ture OF sorghum for this purpose at the East is
significant of an intention to become independent,
if possible, of the frequent and violent fuctua-
tons IN the price OF a prime necessary of life,
brought about partly by speculative operations,
partly by the political troubles to which several
OF the Sugar-cane growing countries are periodi-
cally subject.
In California the matter of Sugar production
was taken in hand at an early period and con-
sidering the climates at command within the
State, it is perhaps, a little strange that the first
thought and attempt should have been in the d.
reetion OF the manufacture Of Beet Sugar instead
Of the cultivation of the Sugar-cane.
That in general, Sugar Beets of unusually high
quality can be successfully grown in many re-
gions of California, has now been sufficiently
proved by the tests made up to this time, as well
as by the practical working Of the manufacturing
establishments that have been managed with a
reasonable degree OF business tact and technical
skill. That the probable production of Beet
Sugar depends on a great many conditions be-
sides that Of the quality of the raw material, is
too well known to need discussion. The Beets
will not bear transportation to any distance, and
In order to render them available for Sugar-mak-
ing, their successful growing must, within a limit
ed area, be coupled with cheap fuel, good and
abundant water supply, and reasonably cheap
and reliable labor.
1t has often been attempted to free this indus
try from some Of these restraints, by rendering
the Beets transportable and capable of being kept
all the year, by drying. But to do this by arti-
fetal heat is so costly an operation, that it can be
made to pay only under peculiar circumstances
hence as a matter of fact, this expedient has been
thus far but little resOrted to.
The dry Summer climate of the interior Of CAL
ifOrnia, however. seems 10 offer exceptional facil-
tiles in this direction for where Raisins can be
made successfully, cut Beets can be dried without
artificial heat. So far, no Raisin-making coun-
try has attempted the Beet-Sugar manufacture
hence the conditions offered here are entirely
new.
The experiments made in Beet-drying in the
open air in the Southern California during the
past season, have demonstrated that Beets cut
crOss-wise into slices half an inch thick, can be
reduced TO about one-ffth of their original weight
in the course Of 40 hours. The resulting material
for Sugar manufacture, containing from 80 to Ga
per cent of Sugar, will Of course keep Indefinitely
and bear transportation to any reasonable dis
lance. Moreover, when extracted by the mace
ration process, not only is the resulting Juice
much purer than when obtained from the fresh
Beet by grating and pressure, but 1t can be OBJ
tanned in SO concentrated a form as to diminish
materially III COsl VI cbdpOIdNlOus duu ~ uc
sIons and cost Of appliances required while an
increased net outcome Of cane Sugar from a Civ
en- weight Of fresh Beets, can hardly fail to be se-
cured.
1t thus appears that exceptional climatic condi-
ton. combined with an exceptionally high ave-
rage quality Of the Beet root, concurrently tend
here to place this industry more nearly on a lev
Ell with that OF the production of Sugar from the
naturally richer and purer juice Of the Sugar
cane while as regards sorghum, the only mate,
rial advantage remaining would be the direct
availability of the syrups for the market Beet
Molasses being understandable.
In Hawaii, the cane natures at all seasons
OF the year. according to the tine at which it has
been planted. This removes the whole disadyan-
tage OF the - rush . and enable the planter to use
his Sugar-house all the year around. Hence he
can afford to invest a larger amount of capital in
perfecting appliances, just as is the case with the
Beet-Sugar manufacturer who can work on dried
material all the year, instead %ofietting his capt.
tai invested in machinery lie idle during SIX
months, as in most Of the Beet-Sugar industry
has required some protection by tariff regulations;
and when the Hawaiian Treaty admitting the
Sugars Of that kingdom free of duty to the United
States, was first proposed, it was predicted that
1t would be the death Of the Beet-Sugar industry
in America. Yet since that time, new factories
have come into successful operation, while others
that had lain dormant have been revived, by bust
ness men credited with ct least an ordinary
amount Of observation-disclosures
The question is certainly a complex ono, and it
will require some years of actual trial to deter
mine, which OF the several Sugar-yielding crops
Will yield the highest profits in California. 1t
can certainly not be solved by acrimonious dis
cussion, nor Is there any justification, in the con-
ditiOns of the question, for improving the mo-
uves Of any Of those holding adverse opinions. As
in all similar cases, the conflict Of opinions will
be Of advantage in determining as possible, by ex-
pertinent, the fundamental facts and whatever
individuals may gain or lose, the ultimate result
can hardly be doubtful, viz: that from an import
er Of Sugar, California will before very long be-
come en- exporter Of this important article Of food.