Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-12-19
NEW MExIco'S SUPERIORITY AS
A SUGAR BEET PRODUCER.
The Pecos Valley Beet Sugar Co.

that our people last year Imported SuSd
to the value of Sl35 100000 This is al
enormous sum to expend upon produc
that could Just as well be raised at home
"a product by the way that promises il
the near future to become one OF the
leading industries of New Mexico anC
especially of that great agricultural basir
living in the southeastern part of the
territory, known the world over for its
wonderful fertility of soil, and named
Pecos valley.
A very large proportion of the extern
sive importation above mentioned came
from OVERWHELMINGLY, that twenty
five years ago produced less than one
fourth of the amount required for home
consumption, but today one OF the sugar
exporters of the world. This remark
able change was brought about by the
liberal policy adopted by the German
government in fostering an industry
that promised good results, and only
serves as an illustration OF what might
be accomplished here in New Mexico,
where all the conditions are more favor
able to the production of the sugar beet,
than in any other section OF the United
States or the German empire.
The beet sugar industry is compare
lively new, but it's expansion has been
remarkable. Several years ago it passed
the experimental stages, and now stands
forth as one of the important industries
of the west. 1t has been demonstrated
beyond a reasonable doubt, thus given
the proper climatic conditions, and more
money can be made from the production
of sugar beets than from any other vege-
table that grows.
In the Pecos valley these conditions
have been found, as nearly perfect, as
may be reasonably supposed to exist
anywhere, and to this fact is due the
impetus impaired to this most profitable
branch of agriculture during the past
two Years. As the oldest section of the
great valley that is the oldest in agri
cultural developmen) Eddy naturally
became the center of this industry and
the first to demonstrate its Feasibility
The farmers of the Pecos valley have
been raising sugar beets for two or three
years past in small way, but it was
less than year ago that an agitation
was commenced looking to the extension
of the industry and the building OF a
refinery.
Before this was decided upon two i'm
portant facts were developed First,
that the average yield per acre in Pecos
valley was much larger than in any other
section engaged in beet culture. Sec
ond, that the beets raised here con-
tanned larger per cent OF saccharlne
matter than those produced in any
other section.
With these two important points es-
tablished the farmers and those inter
ested in the project for factory, felt as
sured of success. Professor Wiley's
statement relative to the latter point
amounts to positive evidence, it any
such were needed, in addition to care
fully conducted experiments. He says:
"A number of samples grown in the
valley were included in shipment from
the various parts of the territory OF New
Mexico to the department of agriculture
at Washington for analysis. The Pecos
valley samples were found to average
14.45 per cent sugar, the richest beet
giving 21S5 per cent. This result is ex-
ceptionally fine and shows that the pos
sibility of the production of beets of
high saccharine richness is very latter
ing
Among those who worked faithfully
for the development of the beet sugar
industry at Eddy and to whose untiring
efforts are, in large measure, due the
success of the enterprise now on sound
financial footing, Mr.. Arthur Goetz Is
entitled to prominent place. 1t seems
eminently fitting that Mr.. Goetz should
lead this great enterprise. AS a boy OF
IA he entered the employ of Mr.. Hager
man, and by faithfulness and ability has
risen, step by step, until at the present
time he is closely identified with most
of the various projects controlled by the
great investor. 1t goes without saying
that his business training under one OF
the most astute men of affairs in Amer
lea today stood him in good stead and
fitted him for projects OF great pith and
moment.
The gentlemen interested made care
full study of the beet sugar question,
convinced themselves and others that
they were right and then went ahead.
1t was no small undertaking to get cap
itaI interested in the enterprise, but
they accomplished it at the expense of
considerable time and hard work.
In January last company was organ
lied with capital stock OF S2OO,0OO
August Uihlein. the well-known tinan-
cier and senior member of the Schlitz
Brewing Company, whose beer has made
Milwaukee famous, became president OF
the new corporation. The other officers
were as follows: j. j. Hagerman, vice
president; Arthur S. Goetz, secretary
treasurer and general manager; directors
August Uihlein, w. H. Osborne, j. J
Hagerman, Eugene Wuesthotf, G. II
McLenathen, Arthur S. Goetz.
AS soon after the organization Of the
company as possible, work was com
menced on the factory which is nov
completed. A commodious brick struc
ture employing hundred men in oper
alton and having capacity of 225 toni
of beets daily. The factory has com
menced work on the first years crop
upon which the company will spend
about $4,000. Encouraged by the fac
4 e.. ho,