The morning call., 1891-10-24
A COMING INDUSTRY.

Some days ago The CALL published
brief account of an interesting experiment
about to be tried by the beet-growers of the
Cahuenga Valley, who are about TO put IN
operation a cooperative beetsugar factory
There can be no doubt but that the manu-
facture of bpet-sugar is a coming industry
in California, as the possibility of the buSl-
ness being successfully conducted here is
ALREADY demonstrated. The State press just
at this time has great deal 10 say upon the
subject. and many CT the statements that
are being sent out are, of course, mixed
with the inevitable eXaggerati0n and mis-
conception attending the discussion OF
new and not fully understood subject.
There is tendency among the oyer-san-
guine to allow their enthusiasm TO touch
with rosy tints their accounts of what may
be expected of the new industry, but in
spite of this there are certain facts behind
all the theoretical statements made that are
commanding the attention OF farmers
throughout the State. The joint stock
association under which the Cahuenga
factory is to be operated is, it Is claimed,
we'll adapted to the eAigeneies OF sugar-beet
culture. Experts on the subject tell us that
in Germany, where this industry has reached
its highest development, its success Is
largely attributed to the fact that the grow
eTs who supply the beets have been share
holders in the factories, so that their profits
depend directly upon their industry and the
quality Of their product. Thus they were
encouraged to raise the very best beets,
aiming to develop those varieties producing
the highest percentage of soluble sugar,
rather than a large tonnage per acre. Con-
slant attention to this particular has raised
the average of German beets beyond that OF
beets grown in this country. with the de-
velopment Of the industry here, however,
there is every reason to anticipate that Skill
full cultivation, in our rich soils, Will pre-
duce even greater results than have been
obtained abroad. The grower who is di-
recty interested in the sugar producing
qualities of his beets will not be slow to
avail himself Of the opportunity afforded to
increase this product.
One of the oldest factories in the State is
that located at Alvarado, in Alameda COun-
ty. 1t has been in operation number OF
years under varying fortunes. but since the
wise provision by which the Government Is
seeking to foster this industry 1t Is now
fourishiug. This factory, however, is by
no means able to utilize the quantities OF
high grade beetS that could be raised IN that
section. They have under cultivation this
year about 1000 acres of land. producing
about 1900 tons Of beets yielding ., 100000
pounds of sugar In the valley there is
large territory stretching from Haywards
nearly TO the south line of the county ad-
mirably adapted to the growing of sugar
beets of high percentage Of saccharine mat
ter The farmers, however feel that the
price paid for beets is not enough to Justify
them in putting large acreage under culti-
walton, the maximum price per ton-S5-
yielding them an average return of but $50
per acre gross. a similar state of affairs in
Southern California has prompted the CO.
operati We scheme of the Cahuenga
growers. These parties have the following
figures as showing the cost of factory ca
pable of utilizing 200 tons of beets per day