The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1892-11-23
SUGAR BEETs IN KANSAS.

FatIong for q descent upon the leglsla-
ture with all sorts Of "jobs F" calling
tor appropriations Of the peoples
money providing fat, easy places for
somebody and often concealng
schemes Of vast proportions. These
are usually innocent looking and care
fully disguised as beng for the pub
Lie good. Every reform member will
be on his guard as to these matters,
and the ADVOCATE will be on duty to
assist by calling attention to all ques-
tionable schemes which come to its
notice. 1t is not the part Of the true
reformer to oppose indiscriminately
everything proposed, but to examine
carefully and decide with delibera-
tion and honesty what should and
what should not be promoted.
As an illustration of the demands
which will be made for useless ex-
penditures and appropriations with
out reason, we copy the following
from the Kansas Farmer of Novem-
ber 2, with reference to experiments
which are important enough, but as
the Farmer well shows, already amply
provided for:
At the recent meeting of the Kansas
Academy of Science, resolution was
adopted favoring an appropriation by the
state legislature for the purpose Of conduct |
ing extensive experiments in the cultivation |
OF sugar beets. Whether any discussion Of
tho subject was had or any statement Of
what has already been done In the line Of
such experiments, has not been stated to |
the public. While Kansas is very broad.
RRuged and liberal in all matters Of public |
enterprise, yet it is well, before determin-
ing In favor of sppropriating the peoples
money, for any purpose, TO ascertain what
has previously been done, what is now in
progress, and what has been provided, for
the continuance Of the work proposed. The
experiments with sugar beets have not been |
30 meagre as may be supposed A brief
statement Of IL is here made;
In 1883, the Douglass Sugar Co., Of Doug
lass, Butler county, Kansas, through It's
superintendent, Mr.. Fred Hinze, imported |
from Germany quantity Of sugar beet
seed of the most improved varieties. A
portion Of these we're planted, under the
capable supervision Of Mr.. Hinze, and grew
very well until most Of them were destroyed
BY insects. Samples Of those that survived
the attacks Of the insects were analy zed By
United States Government Chemist Hubert
A. Edison, and found to contain, at their
best, fair percentage Of sugar, considering
the vicissitude through which they had
passed.
In 1889, the remaining portion Of the seed
imported at Douglass were planted at
Medicine Lodge, under the supervision Of
Mr.. Henry Hinze, superintendent Of the
Medicine Lodge sugar works. These made
fine growth and contained good percent
ages Of sugar, as shown By the analysis Of
the chemists Of the department Of sgriOul-
tuYe. Most of these beets were manufac-
tEred into sugar. So pleased was thesugar
company at the result that IL was determined
10 plant considerable acreage the follow
ing season. Three tons Of seed were i'm
ported from the best growers in Germany,
and the farmers who had grown beets in
1889 were asked TO contract for considerable
drops in 1890. To the surprise Of those most
interested, those farmers who had seen most
Of the practical work of cultivating bestsin
1889 were very 10th to contract in 1890. Con-
sequently q considerable proportion Of the