Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-02-16
The Beet.Sugar Industry.

The first experiment in the United
States was in the year 1880 by two
enterprising Philadelphians, who were
said to have been wholly ignorant of the
cultivation of the beet root or the exErac-
ton of the sugar, and failure was the
natural result. Eight years later it was
again attempted at Northampton, Mass,
| resulting only in producing small
amount of sugar at cost OF thirteen
cents per pound. 1t was again attempted
at hats Ill, in 1862, but OWN
| to i'll chosen location rs regards soil and
clim4te-the TWO princi pal conditions CT
| successful culture-failed after a strug-
gle Of xix years. The company then
removed 70 Frecport, Ill, remained one
year. and again removed, to Black
| Hawk, Wis. these trials all resulted in
disaster. as the sections chosen were not
| provided with the requirements of sue
| cessful work A later experiment at
Fond du Lac. Wis in 1872 was the frat
| to give good results, where during Two
years considerable sugar was made
The proprietors of this company re-
| moved to Alvarado California, and went
to the wall, as did several other COM
panies The Sacramento Valley Com
papy was organized in 1863, and contin-
ued until 1875. The State Agricultural
Society reported > a45 900 pounds Of
sugar manufactured during the four
wears prior to the year 1873. In other
localities experiments have been made,
notably AT Camden. n. j., Portland,
Me. Nlmington, Del and at Salt
Lake City, Utah. attended with differ
cnt degrees of failure These expert
lor NJ n
ey unnecessarily lost. AT Salt Lake City,
tab where factory is now about
ready for operation. the Mormon church
expended 100000 in their efforts to
manufacture sugar between the years
ls53 and 1861 1t was not until 1919,
hen the Standard sugar Manufacturing
Company was organized by f. q. Dyer,
at Alvarldo, California, that any marked
degree of success in the manufacture OF
beet sugar was secured. Since then the
company hiss been reorganized with
additiua aI capital, and are still prosecut-
ing successful business under the man
agement of Mr. Over.
The factory at jacksonville, California,
owned by Claus Spreckles. has now been
in succe. sful operation for the past three
years The Oxnard Beet Sugar Factory
at vi iIu lslhllti WI htu us hi7S WY 4"
1870. Its success is assured, notwith-
standing its first season was very I'M
favorable for a crop Of bects on account
OF extreme drouth. Three large facto'
riss have been erected for the crop of
1891: one at Norfolk, Neb.. and one at
Chino, California-theset two are owned
by the Oxnard Beet Sugar Company
and one at Lehi, near Salt Lake CITY,
[ tab. being erected hY + ii. Dyer Il
Co aud owned by the Mormon church.
all these factories, now in successful
operation. we're located after thorough
Investigation OF soil climate and other
natural conditions, and are represented
20 meet in every respect the require
ments now known to be necessary TO the
| successful cultivation of the sugar beet.
The conditions necessary for success
are, sufficient capital, a knowledge OF
the business in its details, favorable
cation as to transportation, accessibility
TO limestone and fuel. pure water and
full supply OF beets.
The analyses made of sugar heets
grown in many parts Of the United
States reveal the fact thst the general
average of the per cent. of sugar in the
beet is greater than those grown in EG-
rope / his must be credited to the nat
ural conditions of soil and climate, and
not to scientific Knowledge of cuitiva-
ton and use of fertilizers. "a is prac-
ticed therein. A. Lunn in Frank Les
lies Weekly. January Both.