Smyrna times., 1891-01-07
The Effort of our Farmers at Sugar
Making.

At the Farmers meeting at Newark
DIR. A.. T. Neale spoke on the subj ect
of the Progress Made Last Season
Towards Domestic Sugar Industry"
This was listened to with rapt atten-
ton and created a marked impression
on the farmers, many of whom believe
with the doctor that sugar cane max
ing is bound to become profitable in
dustry for the Delaware farm
ers. The address was so interesting
and of such importance that it is here
given in full. Many slides were shown,
which made clear the process of sugar
making by the diffusion battery, &c
He said
"Our last census credits the United
States with population of 63O0O,OOO
Statisticians estimate that each man,
woman and child on this roll consumes
on an average 63 pounds of sugar per
annum hence it will take in round
numbers 100000 tons of refined sugar
to meet the next seasons demand.
Louisiana may produce 10000 tons,
which would be a fair crop for that
state. In this event we shall still be
obliged to import SO per cent of the
necessary supply, and by so doing we
will be found to pay a tribute to the
land holders of nearly every other civ
ilized country Of the world.
1--WE all know that the farmers of
this Peninsula are looking for another
money making crop, and the question
IS, can we compete in our own sugar
market with the European beet men
and the tropical cane planters. 1 be-
lleve that we can do it now, and the
only question is as to which of two
methods of conducting the business
will in the long run prove best, for the
farmer in particular, and the country
in general. l say that believe that we
can do it now, but l admit that it will
require the very closest business man
agement. [ base my claim in part on
past crops at the New Jersey sugar
station, and in part upon the efficiency
of the machinery tested lasted year at
Rio Grande.
IAN average ton of field sorghum in
1888 carried 80 pounds Understandable
sugar and 11.5 gallons of low grade
molasses; including seed these prod
ucts have market value equivalent to
Sc 60 As the Rio Grande house was
equipped last OstO5er, it could have
been made to work so tons of cane in
% hours, at a total cost of $40, or 50. 20
per ton. This includes all expenses
for cutting and hauling cane, working
OFT the products, paying for barrels,
&c. This cane can be raised for S25
per acre, or 81 so per ton; hence the
total cost of securing so pounds of
sugar. 11.5 gallons of molasses and L.
bushels of seed should not exceed S4.75
per ton, leaving balance of $215 per
ton for salary account of superintend-
ent, for interest on 300 acres of land
and on capital invested. On this basis
interest figures IL per cent on one sys-
tenn of management and % per cent on
another.
"By the one system, l mean that
which makes the farmer an equal part
ner in the profits or losses of the busi-
ness. By the other, mean that one
which farmers generally have followed
in the west and elsewhere, viz: ac-
cepting $3.50 per ton for their cane
delivered at the sugar house, and al
lowing those who manage the machin-
cry to run all the risks and reap all
the benefits. Ifs capitalist can per-
suade farmers to sell cane to him at
$3.50 per ton, he can make % per cent.
on his capital of$2O,OOO. aim to show
you to-day the machinery used in ex-
tracing sugar is no more complicated
than that which each of you must use
in ordinary farm management, and
that when it has been explained, and 8
few days experience with it has beer
gained, your ordinary farm labor car
use it with good results.
by this step hope to demonstrate
that both courses of management are
open to you. After lantern slides tC
illustrate said machinery have beer
shown, 1 will endeavor to explain wha
the possibilities Of this sorghum PLAN
really are. That is, to show a target al
which you can direct your efforts, fol
l feel that the inventors of machinery
have done their part we'll and believe
that our ability to compete with for
eign resources must now depend upoi
farming skill, upon business ability
and upon the effort of the experimen
station.
POSSIBILITIFS