Dodge City times., 1889-12-12
Sorghum, Sugar.

Sorghum Sugar.
We clip the following article from the
TINES published at Marsballfield, Iowa,
which goes to show what they think Of
sorghum sugar IN that state:
Learning that Letts-Fletcher Com
pany had received from western Kansas
car load of sorghum sugar, TINES
REPUBLICAN representative called at the
Office Of the firm and made some inquiries
regarding it. and the facts thus CLEANED
are well worth publishing. Mr.. F. c.
Let's was seen and cheerfully furnished
the reporter with the desired information,
snpplemen;ing it with some suggestions
that Iowa people, both producers and con-
sumers, would do well to carefully con-
slider. The scribe, having stated the OBJ
ject of the call, Mr.. Let's said:
The fact is that this sorghum sugar
question has been agitated SO much
throughout the country of recent years
that we, having incidentally encountered
an opportunity, embraced it and gObbled
all there was in sight, feeling confident
that it would prove both a valuable bit
of experience and profitable investment.
Many of our customers have signified
desire to purchase trial order, to see
how it would go
SO you jumped right in, then, and
bought large quantity, running the risk
of getting out on it?'
Yes, we bought twelve carloads, or
1,2000 barrels, all one concern had in
stock, and you may be sure that we con-
sidered it a good thing or we should not
have incurred the risk
Where is this factory located that you
speak Off
AT Medicine Lodge, in western Kan
sas. You see the people of that place
paid the company big bonus, about
year ago, to establish their plant there
and carry on the manufacture of sugar
from sorghum; and in consequence the
farmers of that section, the townspeOple
and the proprIetoIs of the concern are
more tEan gratified, they are positively
elated, over the success of the venture
and its future prospects.
They have demonstrated then by act
ual experience, that the industry paysy
Most assuredly. Notwithstanding the
fact that cane and glucose sugars are
away down in price. they have proved
that sorghum sugar can be produced at a
little less than ordinary sugar and still be
sold at IA profit
But does the producer. the farmer who
raises the cane. share in these profits!
Does he find it a paying occupation to
grow sorghum for sugar at the prevailing
low price of that articleg'
He does. and that is just where lies
the secret of the ultimate success of the
business 1t is not likely that sugars can
get much if any lower than they are new.
and should they go higher, which is alto
gcthcr probable. the profits will of course
be prcporiionately increased. Another
prime factor to be considered in the mat
ter is the absolute purity of the product.
Still another is its saccharine quality, the
amount of sweet, and the pleasant taste
of the article. and its fine appearance.
Here Mr. Let's brought out sample
case of the sugar for the scribe's inspec-
ton. Ii was rich golden C. grainy
and lively, having much the appearance
Of the best quality of Orleans except
that it was finer, shade lighter and
more palatable.
Now, haven't the slightest doubt
resumed Mr.. Let's, that this sugar can
be successfully refined and converted in
to the very hiphest grades and granulated
sugar, just as is Orleans and other raw
sugars.
We'll, if this business has been proven
Il success in Kansas, what's the matter
with Iowa taking hold of it and reapiDg
some of the benefits.'
That was the principle object in men
tioning this matter at all. Here is an op
portunity. and consider it a rare ALI. a
grand one, for our state to get up and
shake itself, to inaugurate an enterprise
that is certain to be of Incalcuable benefit
to the people at large, and especially to
the farmer