Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-04-04
Graat County 9erald
CLYDE r. SHoWALTER
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
Beet sugar Industry.

paratlyely new To this country.
In the year 1S47 the German chem
list Andreas Sigismund Marggraf dis
covered that the common beet (betG
,ltlgdris) contained sugar. BY his
process he could extract per cent. of
sugar. He continued his experiments
and was ably assisted therein by
many other contemporary chemists,
until his death in 1882. Franz Carl
Archard, one Of his pupils, continued
these experiments Of his master. and
in 1899 with the primary assistance
Of King Frederick William the Third
OF Prussia, established the first beet
sugar refinery in the world This
factory was erected near Steinau, in
Silesia. Prussia.
The early history Of this industry,
like many others, was mostly expert
mental, and had many obstacles to
overcome. Slow progress was made
at first, but gradually, as the cultiva-
ting of the beet became better known
and the machinery for extracting the
sugar was improved, the offers Of
capital to this industry increased. At
present there are about $500 beet
sugar factories in Europe. and the
capital invested in these and for OPP
Grating expenses is over 500. 600. 000
nearly 5000, 600 acres of land are
under beet cultivation, giving ON
ployment to about 100, 600 farm
hands and boys, and producing an-
nually over 80, 900, 900 tons of beets.
from which 100000 tons Of beet
sugar is made. which is over half Of
the sugar crop Of the world.
From the small beginning made by
the German chemist AcharG, less than
100 years ago, and by the untiring
efforts of scientists, capitalists and
agriculturists Of Europe since then,
has been evolved the greatest indus
try OF the world, giving profitable
employment TO many persons and
more capital than any other single in
dustry, and it has made Germany the
greatest sugar producing country.
The statistics Of sugar production Of
the world for the season 1891 % are
as follows: Germany, 1,2s0.000 tons;
Austria, 100000; France. 100000;
Russia, $50. 900; Belgium. 295, 900;
Holland. 10000; niued States. 49,
100; other countries. 81 900; mis-
cellaneous. $3.50, 600; total, 6,I6O-
900 tons.
THE CULTIVATION OF THE SUGAR BEET.
At present the cultivation of sugar
beet is no longer experime ntaE The
soil, the variety to plant, cultivation
and harvesting have all been in sue
cesstul operation for nearly 50 years
in Europe. In California the first
beef sugar factory Ut Alvarado was
established about 1880, and Is rum
ming to-day successfully Since then
factories have been established in
Watsonyillc, Chino and Ontario Of
that state, and these are in operation,
successfully to both farmer aud man
ufaeturer.
Any soil that will grow wheat sue
eessfully will give good crop Of
beets with a high percentage!of sug-
ar. The climate should be moist dur
ing the planting and the early stages
Of the plant growth, say April and
Mays and then followed with sunshine
and warm weather during Juhe, july
aud August The Wisconsin climate
is just rs well adapted for the sugar
beet culture n any part Of Germany,
YIELD AND CosF.
The yield per acre Of sugm beats
i'll Wisconsin has been found IN sew
eral experiments Ia be- about is 10. 20
tons per acre, pHh q percentage Of
sugar from. II 10 Is per cent The
Experiments have lmen made on ii
small scale and the probability Is. that
when cultivated on a large scale aud
with profit in view, he above figures
would be improved upon 10 quote
from from Bulletin No 26 aud 80.
AS "a the cost Of sugar beet raising
the nearest approach To our state that
can be secured If found according to
statements OF growers in this state.
and the figures given arc those OBJ
tanned from actual experiences, from
S2i.00 maximum 70 $50. 90. These
results were obtained from farmers
unurquuinted with the sugar beet,
and with the most economical method
OF cultivation, but II is safe To san
that the net profit TO the grower HI
In Europe. especially in Germany,
II has by experiments extending OVID
90 years, been proved that tits better
for the land to raise hcets on il Than
to let il lie idle in summer fallow. As
4 crop Of rotation st has made the
lands there more productive aud ut
the same time more profitable lii
all countries where the sugar beet is
raised as a commercial commodity,
the land owner has bettered his cid-
.eumstances. II has raised more mort
cages from lands than any other crop.
and has never vet been failure whert
properly cultivated.
senator Spenslcy has secured ali
amendment to the dSh and game laws
by which iishing With hook and time
may be indulged in at amy time III
b.,t j..