The morning call., 1894-09-11
CALIFORNIA BEET SUGAR.

Sugar from beets has been made in
California for fifteen years. For the first
two years the business was mainly con-
fined to the factory at AlVarado in
Alameda County. That plant has been
almost cont nuously in operation every
season during the past 6fteen years. 1t
starts to-day on a fresh campaign with a
good supply Of beets on hand and
promises to make the largest output of
sugar in its history. Though the factory
at Alvarado is the pioneer in this busi-
ness it has been outstripped by the other
TWO factories at Watsonvile and Chino.
The factory at Watsonville was started
in 1887 and Its product has been steadily
increased from year to year. A third
factory was sttTted at Chino, San
Bernardiuo County, in 1890, the largest of
the three. The campaign at the Chino
factory started up a few days ago, and
its output this year will exceed any
former year and will probably be the
largest in the State. The factory at Wat
sonville has also commenced the crushing
of beets for the new season of 1894-95. A
fourth factory was in contemplation al
Anaheim a few months ago. bat the
project was abandoned when it was
found that there was a disposition in
Congress to abolish the bounty authorized
by the tariff of 1890.
There are only three other beet-sugar
factories in the United States. One of
these is at Lehi. in Utah. and the other
two are in Nebraska-at Grand Island
and Norfolk. All these enterprises have
been fairly successful from the start. 1t
is claimed, however. that the best results
have been obtained from California.
Bset sugar is an important industry in
Belgium, France. Germany and other
European countries. Nearly half of the
worlds sugar is obtained in this way.
The conditions of the business are much
more favorable 10 this country than in
Europe. In Germany the average OF sac
charine in the beets is not over II per
cent. An analysis of the soil in various
sections in California indicates an average
of II per cent. In fact some of the beets
now being crushed at the Chino factory
show 16 to Is per cent. Oregon capitalists
have become so favorably impressed with
the enterprise as TO order an Investigation
of the adaptabil of the soil in that
State. In some sections as high as 16 per
cent has been guaranteed. A project is
UUW Ou lOOb III luab 0hdeO W W 6NhILS n
company with $1,000 600 capital and erect
one or two factories for the manufacture
OF beet sugar.
There are great possibilities wrapped up
in this business. 1t has passed entirely
beyond the experimental stage. OF course
there has been disappointment in the
abolition of the bounty. This was guar
anteed By Congress from July l. 1891. to
July l, 1864 period of fourteen years
during which time it was thought by those
who advocated the measure the business
would be so thoroughly established ae to
no longer need such fostering care. This
has now all been cut off by the new ia i'll.
According to the latest decisions the
bounty for the current fiscal year will not
be allowed. although TIE licenses are made
annually in July. The manufacturers
will claim their equities under the law, at
least for the current year. Even without
a bounty it is thought the business can be
made to pay fair interest on the invest
ment, provided the duty on foreign sugar
be no less than at present. 1t is hoped
this view of the situation may be fully
realized. In that event a further and
steady enlargement OF the business is
assured. The agricultural districts need
just this sort of an industry to average up
on the deterioration in other branches.