St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-14
A SWEET PROSPECT.

Unless the parties who are advocat-
ing the development of the beet sugar
Industry are greatly iii error. substan-
tial progress has been made in over
coming the obstacles that have been in
the way of its success. 1t has not been
very definitely understood just what the
most material of these were, outside of
perhaps the few who were giving the
inquiry special investigation. An adj
dress before the house committee on
ways and means few days ago by II.
T. OXNARD, of Nebraska, complies
good deal of information on the subject.
1t seems that a material objection
has been to the small per cent
of sugar contained in the beet.
This Nebraska man is himself
an extensive experimental. He is
erecting at Grand IslanI, in that state,
aSugar plant to cost a half-mllion dol
lars, and designed to turn out thirty
tons of sugar a day. This is evidence
OF his faith in the success of the indus
try. This is based very considerably
upon the fact that the sugar qualities
of the beet are made to improve by cult
ure, selection and breeding. There has
been constant growth OF this saccha-
rlne element in the beet. Ten years
ago. as stated, per cent of sugar was
regarded as a good average, while the
past year this has been brought up to
IA per cent. The value of this IN
crease is seen in the fact that
one per cent represents twenty
pounds of sugar to the ton of raw
beetS. or 300 pounds to the acre. Some
OF the experiments of the Nebraska man
had produced as high as % per cent, and
he is confident that in few years, by
growing only from the best varieties, the
average can be made fully 20 per cent.
The industry in this country would start
i'll with the advantage of all the science
and experience of all the European
countries. They grew last year 3,445,-
900 tons, and the beet already produces
Al per cent of the sugar production of
the world, and will soon unquestionably
be the principal sugar producer of the
world. The experiments of Mr.. Ok
NARD show that the seed brought
from Europe produces better than
in the old countries. Mr.. SPRECK-
LES had IN California an average
of II per cent, while in Europe about IA
per cent is the standard. Various anal
Uses in Nebraska give over 16 per cent.
Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas are
quite as we'll adapted to the growth of
the sugar beet as Nebraska and CALI
fornia. If this production is to fill the
glowing anticipations of those speaking
for it, these Northwestern states will be
the chief sources of the supply. Not all
parts of these states are presumed to be
| equally adapted to this beet, but in the
| main it is sure and abundant crop.
| The yield of sugar per acre is estimated
at 1850 pounds. If 1t is the fact that
| it is adapted to this climate
and soil, and will take place
with the great staples of the land, it is
worth looking into. Any crop that can
be easily produced and is likely to be
more remunerative than the present ag-
ricultural products would be boon to
this and the other Northern states. Of
| course it is insisted that that the devel-
opmeut of this industry will require the
continuance of encouragement in a
tariff. 1t has been held by Republicans
quite extensively that the sugar tariff
might be badly emaciated if not en-
tirely repealed, but in view of the
claims made for the beet, it will quite
| surely be allowed to remain for time
| without very material reduction. Not
| over tenth Of the sugar consumed in
the United States is the product of the
| country