The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-09-26

smoune to anything
The letter from Mr.. Ferguson reads
Is follows
S74 West Polk STnEEr,
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Sept. 4. 1894.
Governor TilImaD, Columbia, S. c.
nv Dear Sir: From careful examina-
ton Of the formation and soil Of South
Carolina as given in book published
by the State Board of Agriculture of
South Carolina, I believe you have one
of the best States in the Union for the
cultivation of the sugar beet and the
manufacture of beet sugar. 1t is afact
that the cultivation of the sugar beet
under the scientific method necessary
to it's success increases the productive
ness Of the ground for other crops. It
is also particularly hafdy plant, ad-
iusting itself without difficulty to con-
dition Of sol. aud climate With ex-
sreme tenacity Of life aud succeeding
where many other agricultural pro-
duets would under the same conditions
be total failure. The sugar beet
would average 10 most parts OF your
State 6fteens tons per acre and would
sell for $3.50 to S. . ton at The factory.
Factories could be established on your
nayigable rivers and railroad lines and
located SO as to be convenient to the
largest number Of beet sugar produ-
GERS.
I write you because 7 have been
deeply interested in your Admioistra-
ton and the able manner in which you
have conducted it and because [ like
your State and want to see it prosper.
How is your State Board Of Agricul-
ture formed? Do you appoint it?
Could you secure me position to ex-
pertinent With raising eugar beet in
your State ? know the introduction
Of sugar beet culture and the manufac-
sure of beet sugar would be of the
utmost value to your State. and | would
be pleased to have your personal views
in relation to the same. Take your
coast counties from to Beaufort Horny !;
then the next tier from Barnwell to
Marlboro then the next from Aiken to
Chesterfield !; and next Edgefeld to
Lancaster all possess the soil suitable
to sugar beet culture and would pro-
duce the best results, making from $50
and $50 per acre clear profit. and sure
crop, no dauger Of failure. If you can
inaugurate this new source of wealth
it will be a fitting crown to your Ad-
.miuistration. Will you kindly let me
hear from you? will furnish you
satisfactory references if there is a
chance for business.
Respectfully yours,
r. a. FERGUsoN.
Governor Tillman replied as follows ::
COLUMBIA, September. 10, 1894
R II. Ferguson, Chicago. Hl.-My
Dear Sir: Your letter Of September 4
has been resolved In reply l would
say that experiments in the cultivation
of the various varieties of beets, in
cluding the sugar beets. have been
made in this State time aud time
sgain, and there il 10 doubt whatever
as to our soil and climate being we'll
suited to beet culture. The difficulty
which I foresee in developing the sugar
industry here will be lack of capital to
manufacture the beet and the sugar.
The production of the beet in paying
quantities will be easy. The skilled
labor, confined mainly to superintend-
euce, can be easily obtsined in Europe.
The question is, who will furnish the
machinery to make up the prodact.
am particularly interested in devel-
opipg the production Of any new crop
that will take the place of cotton in
our agriculture. and will be glad to
have you give me. if you are familiar
with the subject, estimates on the cost
of plant to manufacture beets into
sugar. We have large areas of very
fertile, cheap lands now devoted to
cotton culture. Our farmers can sup
ply all the beets at prices as cheap as
they can be produced anywhere in the
world The time is propitious for
enlistiog their support to any new ag-
ricultural production which promises
profit, as cotton at present prices yields
none. We have no State Board of Ag-
ricul.ure at this time, but you might
correspond with the director of the ex-
detrimental station located at Clemson
C,lleoe hnt as I have already told Won.