The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
This State Could Supply the Mar
kets of the Entire
Country.
VALUABLE HINTS TO FARMERS
Guide to the Farmer in the Planting,
Culture and Harvesting of
the Crop.

A great many inquiries have recently
been received by THE CALL relative to the
beet-sugar industry. These inquiries refer
not only to the general questions of adapta-
bility of soil, profit in sugar-beet growing
and individual benefits to be derived, but
also to the details of preparing the soil, Sc
Iecting the seed and the cultivation, har-
vesting and marketing of the crop.
Approaching the long experience and
thorough knowledge of Claus Spreckels
upon the subject, The CALL has frequently
taken the liberty to refer these inquirers to
him. Mr.. Spreckels has kindly answered
these questions personally. But the in
creased number of them, showing the wide
spread interest evinced by the farmers of
California upon the subject, demands the
presentation of facts as to sugar-beet grow
ing in such a manner that every farmer in
the State may have the beneht OF Mr.
Spreckels' knowledge.
With this in mind Mr.. Spreckels was
yesterday asked to present through The
CALL such information as will serve the
people to the best possible advantage.
~ believe" said he, that the beet
sugar industry is one of the great means
by which the State of California will be-
come universally prosperous. 1t is great
industry and one that, when more thor
oughly comprehended by the farmers and
Others who should be interested, will be-
come of great value to the farming, COM
mercial and transportation interests Of the
State.
ut may be contended by persons not
fully cognizant of all the details of the
INDUSTRY and the benefits accruing that
there is profit only for the manufacturer.
But this will not be the result. The pro-
ducer and the employe must in the nature
of things share with the manufacturer.
As the sugar industry Will add to the titled
acreage of California so will it add to
facilities Of the farmer for the accumula-
ton of wealth and demand an added num-
Der of employees. The commercial inter-
ests OF the towns and cities must likewise
be enhanced, and the consumer share in
the general result. The producers and
manufacturers of this State by an asso-
citation which is active in its efforts desire
the patronage of home products and home
manufactures. The beet-sugar industry is
right in line, in double sense, as it in
cludes both the production of the raw
material and the manufacture of the arti-
Gle ready for consumption. Should the in
dustry grow, as l hope it will, to such an
increase of acreage as to demand the ad
vent of more farmers into the State, then
it will become an indirect adjunct to the
Half-million Club in aiding the increase of
the population of California, if not of San
Francisco.
Il am willing to add to my investments
in this State by the establishment of beet
sugar manufactures, in the hope of arous-
ing the people of California to the due
importance of this great subject, as well
as to my own profit. No man puts his
money into an enterprise merely for the
benefit of his fellow-men, but it should
not be construed that an investment of
money in a California home industry is
purely selfish investment. The people
who will be directly or indirectly benefited
by added sugar plants should not lose
sight OF the advantages of theindustry to
them. Manufacturers are no more selfish
than are others who invest capital with
view to the accumulation of wealth. If
the investor adds to his possessions, natur-
ally the people whom his industry affects
will prosper. The farmer who helps the
manufacturer helps himself as well.
"The subject of tariff on sugar Is one
that, in view of adding to the sugar manu-
featuring industry, must of necessity in
terest the people of this State. The Re-
publican idea of protection becomes an
object-lesson in the establishment of the
sugar industry. Without a protective
tariff there could be no success attendant
upon the efforts of capital and the tillage
of the soil to this end. But the tariff on
sugar should not exceed the demands of
protection. California asks nothing more
for any industry than to be protected
against unfair competition. But this
State need not confine itself to the mere
effort to supply the home market with
beet sugar. If this State can become a
com petitor in the markets of the
country there is no reason why the effort
should not De made. Let there be a'tariff
OF IA cents per pound on sugar and Cali
fornia, with the cooperation of the
farmers. would be enabled to turn 100 600
acres of land, which is not now in condi-
tion for tilling, into the growing of sugar
beets, and could produce enough sugar to
supply the markets of the entire United
States.
From careful study of the subject /
have been enabled to prepare some points
OF information for the guidance of farmers
that will be OF service to those who may
be desirous Of experimenting in sugar beet
culture.
The tract or land to be prepared for beets
should be measured and a note taken of the
crop raised upon it in the previous year. No
stock whatever should be allowed on the land
after the first autumn rains.
In the preparation OF the soil sugar beets
must have deeply plowed,. well-worked and
finely pulverized soil Sow from ten to tive We
inches deep as soon practicable after the
first rains. Thereafter at proper intervals cul-
uVate and stir the soil so as to thoroughly pull
before planting. 1t should be remembered that
beets can only derive sustenance from finely
divided, moist soil. If it is badly prepared and
full OF clods it will soon dry out, the beets will
cease 10 grow and the experiment will end in
failure. If from any cause the land is not
properly prepared it is better to abandon the
experiment.
The sowing should be done as soon as the
soil is warm enough to germinate the seed.
Sow about ten pounds of seed to the acre, III
rows 1S to 81 inches apart, using any suitable
drill, with forced feed Sow as shallow as
possible, just deep enough to be covered with
moist earth. Seed should come up in from z to
81 days. If the stan1 of young beets is not
good, cultivate them up and resow.
Beets should De thinned as soon as they de-
yelop four leaves. If thinning is delayed the
beets left viii be disturbed by those plucked
out. If thinned when only four leaves are out,
the top soil is still moist, and the beets left
have no difficulty in taking hold and growing
with increased vigor, but the violent disturb
ance caused by thinning few days later is not
20 easily overcome. The top soil is dryer, and
the young beet receives q setback that viii GER
tainly effect the yield. Thin out from TO 10
inches, according to richness of SOIL Leave
only one beetin one place, taking care 10 select
the most vigorous.
Weeds must be vigorously kept under by
hoeing and cultivating. If rain falls after
sowing and a crust forms on the land it must
be broken up by hoeing or cultivatfng. Rows
eighteen to twenty-one inches apart allow
enough space for horse to draw cultivator
through them. This is O cheap and effective