The National tribune., 1891-06-04
PRODUCTION OF SUGAR IN THE UNITED
STATES.


The impetus given TO the sugar industry
in the United States by the clause in the
tariff bill giving a bounty Of two cents per
pound on all sugar produced from native
grown plants in the country bids fair TO
result in the rapid and permanent develop
ment Of an indigenous sugar industry.
The best effects of this bounty are seen in
the attention which has been attracted 10
the beet root Is n source of sugar. Expert
ments which have been conducted by the
Department OF Agriculture, under the charge
Of Prof Harvey W.Wiley, a chemist Of more
than National reputation, during the past
year have shown that there are large areas
in the United States suitable to the culture
of the beet root, and that this plant can be
grown in quantities per acre, and in saccha-
rine richness quite equal TO the European
product
This area suitable TO the culture Of the
sugar beet is found chiefly along the nor
them borders of the United States, and
especially in northern New York, Ohio and
Indiana, in Michigan and Wisconsin, Iowa
and Minnesota, in northern Nebraska, the
two Dakotas, and in certain parts Of Colo
RADIO, Utah and Southern California and
other parts OF the Pacific Coast. During the
past season beets were grown in all these
localities, and samples sent 10 Washington
for analysis. The results Of these analyses
have been published in Bulletin No. 30 Of
the Chemical Division, copies Of which can
doubtless be obtained by request sent TO
the Secretary Of Agriculture. The best re-
suits Of the seasons work were shown in
WISCONSIN. The yield per acre was very
large, and the saccharine richness fully up
10 the standard. II is thought, however, that
these good results were due more TO the scien-
tilc oversight of the experiments in Wiscon-
sin than 10 any natural advantages which it
possesses over other parts Of the country
mentioned. The experiments in Wisconsin
were conducted directly by Prof Henry,
under instructions from the Department Of
Agriculture. In most of the other localities
the experiments were made at random by
farmers who did not fully understand the
conditions necessary 10 success.
For the benefit Of farmers and others in
terested in the culture Of the sugar beet, a
special bulletin has been published, entitled
Farmers Bulletin No. 3, copies of which can
be sent TO every one interested in these mat
tiers by simple request TO the Secretary OF
agriculture. This bulletin gives full di-
rections for the preparation Of the soil, the
planting and culture Of the bcets, aud other
matters Of interest TO the farmer. During
the present season thousands of packages
Of sugar-beet seed have been sent out by The
/ Department Of Agriculture TO all parts oil
the country, and The magnitude Of beet cul-
ture seems 10 be rapidly increasing.
The manufacturers are also keeping pace
with the general progress. Last year \ large
beet factory was erected and operated at
Grand Island, Neb., and during the present
season four large factories are in course OF
erection one on the Chino Ranch in Cali.
fornia; one near Salt Lake City, Utah; one
al Norfolk, Neb, and one at Marshalltown
Iowa These factories will all have ca.
I pacity Of working from 300 10 400 tons Of
beets per day, and, If the farmers will pro
duoe a crop of sufficient magnitude, will
each Of them make from four 10 five million
pounds Of sugar during the coming Autumn
There ere already three complete beet
sugar factories in the United States, and
these viii make six in all in operation III,
coming Autumn. The total output Of tn,
beet sugar, therefore, for the coming yea
may be estimated at approximately twenty
to twenty five million pounds.
For the further promotion Of the beet
sugar industry, and the establishment o
data necessary TO lis success, an experimental
station has been established by the Depart
ment al Schuyler, Neb. At this station al
the approved varieties Of sugar beets ar
planted and the best methods Of agricuItur
applied. The station has been operated onl
since February, and, Of course, not mucl
more can be done for the FIRST year than L
fully outline the work and get it unde
way. 1t is proposed in another year {
supplement the control work with a com
plete experimental sugar factory, capable q
demonstrating the actual yield of sugar pc
, ton and per acre.
The efforts Of the Department OF Agricu
ture, however, are not directed alone TO III
promotion Of the beet sugar industry. 1t
also accomplishing much in Florida in II
introduction Of the cane sugar industry int
i, the lands reclaimed by the drainage Of II
interior lakes Of the Florida Peninsula. A
area Of some 10000 acres OF rich land b.
already been reclaimed and many thousan,
. more are in process Of reclamation. III
= Department has established an experimei