Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-02-18


Total 457, ,59l
Showing that the wheat and flour,
which we calculate are one OF the
main sources of revenue for the farm
ing community, are almost off set by
the importation of the sugar products
There seems to be no question in the
minds of any one, but what we can
raise as manv and as good beets as
Germany, and why we should not
manufacture our own sugar instead
of importing ii? This problem will be
one that will doubtless he decided in
favor of home production within a very
few years. We have cheap lands to
grow the heets on, which will off set
the cheaper labor of Europe, besides
which, we have cheaper fuel Those
pats of the States which will encourage
and foster this industry, will be the ones
that will get the most benefit There
is no doubt that even if there is no en-
cOuragement gwen to the beet sugar
industry, in time the factories will be
erected. but for the present. ONLY those
will be erected where they get en-
couragement, and it is for the people of
Wood county to state whether they
wish these benefits now, or wait twenty
years hence.
In regard to the capital to erect these
plants, which are very expensive. will
state: | have had some correspondence
with Luis Jackson, commissioner of the
G.. NJ. & St. 2. Ry., and he claims that
he has had extended correspondence
on this subject, and that the prospects
are not bright for getting Eastern
capital interested in this industry My
impression is, that if One-half of the
stock could be subscribed in the
county, that the other could be readily
secured. The capital should not be less
than S2OO,OOO
There are two good factories in
Nebraska and three in California, that
are now on a successful paving basis
There will probably be one-haif dozen
erected the coming year, from what re-
ports we have been able to get, one of
which will probably be erected at
Merrillan in Jackson comfy, provided
sufficient capital can be obtained.
The Norfolk Nebraska Beet Sugar
factory produced in 1895, nearly 50OO,-
900 lbs. of sugar from 27,204 tons of
beets.
FROM BULLETIN.
The experience of beet sugar
countries: 1t is a fact noted by all
travellers and most keenIy recognized
by European governments that the
farmers in the best growing districts are
thrifty and getting on in the world be-
yond those in all other districts, dairy
regions, perhaps, only excepted. In
this country the farmers in the vicinity
of the beet sugar factories in Nebraska,
Utah and California are awakening to
the fact that beet crop brings them
more money than any other system of
farming available to them. To produce
the sugar consumed in Wisconsin will
call for 20 or % beet sugar factories. Is
their profitable maintenance by a full
supply Of beets of good quality a
possibility, or are we outside the
boundaries of this industry?
A few statistics, taken from the San
Francisco Chronicle, January 3rd, 1897:
"kt present the American people are
sending over S100,0O0,000 a year to
foreign lands for sugar, every pound
of which ought to be and readily can
he grown within our own borders.
Even admitting that it is partially paid
for with our exports of farm products,
we have to pay the freight with COM
missions and middlemen's profits. All
this could be saved by producing the
sugar in America. The farmers would
get at least $50,00O,000 for the crop of
sugar beets required to meet home
needs, while by so much reducing the
surplus of other produce and thus
aiding and strengthening farm values
throughout the country. American
labor and capital would get the re-
naming $50,00J,000 or more, and the
benefits would be felt IN many leading
lines Of industry throughout the nation"
In order to show what a small pro-
portion Of the sugar consumed in the
United States is of home production,
the following official figures for 1894 are
given:
Tons Value.
Consumption. O24694 s128,871, $50
Production .............. 3O5,SO0 2O,2S3,O14
,S12 ,866 Jos, $685. 946
This sugar, for which America paid
over S10S, 100000 in 1894 to foreign
growers for foreign labor, came from
the following sources:
Tons.
Guoa......'... .......I,O OO3 I6l