The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-27
srGAR BEETs IN WASHINGTON.

ity to win along the entire line.
SUGAR BETS IN WASHINGTON.
Prof Fulmer, OF the state agricultural
college. says that one OF his missions IN
this state is to assist In the building up
OF the sugar beet industry. For several
years he has been making somewhat ex-
tensive experiments with view OF as
certaining whether the soil and Climate
were adapted to beet culture. with the
result that he now firmly believes that
all the conditions exist here for success
fully raising sbeets and manufacturing
sugar .therefrom.
The question OF raising beets for sugar
has been agltated in different parts of the
state for several years. The agricultural
department OF the government first
undertook experimental work with as
good results as could have been expected
among people who were new to the ousl-
ness and unskilled In the proper cultiva-
ton of the beet. II was demonstrated,
however. that the Washington beet was
adapted TO sugar making. and an interest
perlmenting easier and more satisfactory
with results that should prove especially
gratifying to the agriculturists OF the
state.
Prof. Fulner has been at work for
about two years and has made a very
thorough investigation OF soils. climate,
methods of cultivation. with exhaustive
analyses of the beets produced. The past
two years were favorable for such expert
ments Single crops have proved IN many
instances unremunerative. and farmers
willing to make tests along the lines OF
diversified farming have had an incentive
to ascertain the possibilities OF putting
part Of their acreage into sugar oeets.
Applications for seed were made by lob
farmers living In all parts of the state
and sample beets were received from SSa
different parties, and from every county
In the state except eight. The reports
from the beet raisers were full, covering
details as to character of soil. methods of
cultivation. yield per acre. date OF har-
vesting. weather during growing season,
and such other facts as would furnish an
idea as to whether the sugar beet could
be successfully grown in this part of the
Pacific Northwest.
out of all the samples received 100
were analysed. coming from twenty
seven different counties and 10i different
towns The results showed that both
Eastern and Western Washington can
raise as good sugar beets as any other
state in the Union. A factory require
ment is that the beets shall show per-
centage OF sugar of at least l. per cent.
over 30 per cent. OF the Washington
bests were above the required percent
age, and had not a certain variety OF beet
been experimental with IS per cent. of
the samples would have gone above the
test demanded. Another factory require
ment is that the beets shall show a ?ur-
ity OF So Out of twenty-seven counties
only four submitted beets which went be-
low the requirement in purity. The aver
age weight OF the Eastern Washington
beet was twenty-three ounces. that OF
Western Washington twenty-six ounces.
Tho average percentage of sugar In the
Western Washington 1873. Eastern Wash
ington beets showed a purity of 2i.
Western Washington SIS.
Comparisons with the bulletins from ex-
pertinent stations in other states indicate
that the Washington beet in percentage
OF sugar is OF higher character than
tie beets OF Dakota, Indiana, Wisconsin.
Iowa. Kansas. Minnesota and Colorado.
and in purity is excelIed only by the beet
OF Michigan. II is proven. then, accord
ing TO Prof. Fulmer, that We can produce
a beet which Is greatly desired by fac
tories. The question is whether the rails
ing OF them would prove profitable TO the
farmer Beets in Nebraska in 1894
brought s. per ton. this year they have
been contracted for there at 81 per ton.
with = cents more per ton for each adj
ditionai per cent. OF sugar. Out OF 22s re-
plies fran Washington farmers 156 said
they could make a profit out OF beets at
81 per ton. Judging from the remarkable
capabilities OF our sou, therefore, with
the higher average OF sugar in the Wash
ington beet. Il is not AZ all improbable
that thu Washington farmer could dis
pose Of his crop NJ handsome profit II
thu prices for beets in other states pre-
vailed here.
Another important question IL as 20
whether the farmer can md market
for his eeess provided he raises them.
In other words. are the conditions such
as 10 warrant the establishment os beet
factories IN the slater Our state by law
stands ready 20 paw a bounty OF one-half
cent per pound on al sugar manufae-
tured within her boundaries. Those who
have looked into the matter profess 20 be-
lieve that the manufacturing or sugar
from bcets can Re made highly success
f,ll and profitable Industry. The demands
Tor such an undertaking are beetsof sat
iSfactory quality. and abundance OF good
water. plenty % pure limestone and cheap
fad Al these exist and I, oniy requires
capital 20 inauguFate work There are
parties n me state who have given these
matters mach thought and have been
thwavsei n their euseavors 20 establish
beet mapasactories only by the unusual
depression and financial difficulties OF the