Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-08-08
soRcHuM SUGAR.


I'm KansAs.
ToPEKA Kan, Aug. 2-The interest
manifested in the sorghum sugar making
grows entirely out of the acknowledged fit
ness of climate and soil for sorghum cane
growing. No State in the Union produces
cane with so large a percentage OF sugar
in the Juice, nor with SO much of the latter
to the ton of cane The question has been,
can this juice be utilized SO as TO make 1t
a commercial success? So far this ques-
ton has not been satisfactorily answered.
The Fort Scott, Conway Springs and To-
peka works have operated successfully so
far as sugar making is concerned, but they
have not been financially successful At
Topeka the works ran but about half the
season last year, and part of that time
with defective machinery, although thare
was an abundant supply of cane. he
operating expenses were more than aet
by the receipts, although money was lost
after the interest on borrowed money was
paid. This statement was made by one of
the principal stockholders.
The Conway Springs works was SUP
piled with poor water for sugar making,
coming out of a gypsum deposit. Late
in the sea son pure water was obtained
and the results were better. According
to Mr.. Deming's report to the Govern
men., while the last season showed the
practicability of sugar making from sor-
ghum, it did not prove commercially
profitable. Tne stockholders, however,
with added experience, are giving more
thorough test this year under more favor
able conditions.
Al Fort Scott good sugar was made aud
in great quantities, hut from the fact that
the Government has ordered its machinery
removed from that place to Attica it is ev-
ident that al was not satisfactory there.
In fac:. Mr.. Rice. who has made the pro-
duction OF sorghum sugar study, pro-
nounces this industry an exper. ment,
which would lead one 10 believe that the
success attending the third year was no,
satisfactory.
At Attica may now be found the largest
sugar works in the State, in which have
been placed the Government machinery
from Fort Scott, and machin cry from
Illinois in addition to new and improved
machinery manufactured expressly for
this company. From Mr.. Clark, secretary
of the company, it is learned that these
works will be under the personal super
vision of Mr.. Deming, who built and
operated the Conway Springs works. ano
who is considered an expert, having had
eight years. experience in sorghum sugar
making. The cost of this plant is S102. 100
the assets of the company being $122, 600
The cane growing and owned by
the company, the farmers about thai
place and by the General Govern.
ment at its experimental station.
will more than keep these works running
the full sugar making season. The results
of all experiments have been seized, and
it is believed there will be large profit
arising from the heavy investment made.
But in order that this might be placed
among the solid business enterprises OF
the State, the company has investigated
thoroughly the salt works of New York,
and find that they can use this same ma
chinery the remaining portion of the year,
producing 1000 barrels of salt a day at an
expense of only seven cents a barrel.
Mr.. Clark condemns the hasty voting OF
township bonds in aid of incomplete plant:
and wildcat schemes by sorghum suga,
spectators While believing absolutely
in the profitableness of complete works, he
would not have township or municipal in
debtedness incurred in aid of the little
plants that are necessarily incomplete
and which must stand idle the greater
portion of the year. He does not consider
sorghum sugar making any longer an ex'
pertinent, and says when his works star
up, August Is, this will be clearly
demonstrated. Being one of a com
pany of careful. prudent men. hi
feels satisfied that the profits of thu
Atiica works will cause this industry tt
become the leading industry of Kansas
There have been cases of mismanagemeni
i'm the past, incomplete knowledge, and
sometimes. unseemly haste. These draw
backs have been avoided at the Attics
works, where chemically pure water is
obtained, and the services of Mr.. Denim 6
secured, we'll as the time and knowl.
edge of two Government chemists. He
places the profits of the Attica works a,
$eS, 600 for the year 1889.