The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-02
MAKING BEET SUGAR.
GOOD OPENING ron THE INDUSTRY
IN WASHINGTON.
Soil and Climate Adapted TO the
Raising OF Beets-Immense Adj
vance Made During the Past Year
In the Manufacture OF Beet Sugar.


is no less true of individuals than OF
communities under municipal and state
control The facts about the manufac-
ture OF beet sugar go to show that IL has
mad marvellous growth In the past sixteen
years. and that in the near future nearly
all the sugar supply will come from that
source In 1880 two-thsres of the world 5
sugar was manufactured from cane. out
in 1885 two-thirts of its supply was pro-
duced from the sugar beet. So great a
change in the short time of sixteen years
Is most remarkable. IL indicates that the
Hood tide of beet sugar manufacture IS
now upon us. Will the state or Washing
ton look to its best interests in time, and
take a part in the development or TINS
great industry? Now is the time 10 act.
Other states in the union not SO well
adapted to raising beets as this. nave
already made a start. In amount the
annual consumption of sugar IN the
United States is over Sl5o. 06ooe. About
noo.0oo worth is imported from foreign
countries. This money paid to foreigners
Is quite a drain on the country. ana
should kept at home In the upbuilding OF
great home industry.
But are the United States adapted to
the work. Prof. Wiley of the agricultural
department says so; practical sugar
makers from the old country say so: and
alton in California, Nebraska. New Mex
leo, Utah and Wisconsin afford confirm
atory evidence.
Beet sugar to the amount of 5000 600
pounds was produced last year in this
country Analysis from experimental sta
tons IN twenty states of the union show
satisfactory conditions for successful beet
sugar culture. The bala nee of the states
produce cane. sorgum. or maple sugar.
Tnen why should this country so well
adapted 10 furnish it's own supply of
sugar. so abroad for the same? The
practice is suicidal in the extreme. and
from all present indications IL will soon
cease. There is hardly another civilized
country capable of producing it's sugar
supply. but what does IT. The first trials
of sugar making from beets gave only
per cent. of sugar. but by perseverance
In careful selection II has been brought
up 10 the paying standard of from Is TO
Is per cent of sweetness. which virtually
settles the sugar problem
Twenty states have the soil and climate
suitable for beet sugar production on
paying basis according to Prof Wiley
and many OF them. IL not already en-
gagged. are preparing to engage in the
business. In Minnesota a company has
Just been organized with capital of S.
100000 to engage In the industry There
seems TO be no question about it's being
a good thing for farming communities
adapted by soil and climate to the bus
mess. And what especially recommends
IL To such localities Is the fact that agri-
cultural and manufacturing operations
are placed side by side thus enabling
them to reap mutual advantages which
must have a wonderful effect in giving
life and activity to such a community.
and building up all fits institutions of
whatever kind. Besides land values are
doubled in the vicinity Of sugar factories
In short time. because OF greater utili-
cation Of the land.
This Is an industry established on a
solid. enduring basis whose products to
the amount OF $50 900 0Do will find a home
market. No doubt such a diversion of
trade In our favor would open the road
TO prosperity in other directions. Washing
ton Is as much. even more. interested In
the manufacture OF beet sugar than any
other state IN the union because OF the
better adoption OF its soil In chemical
composition and physical qualities: and
further because the climatic conditions
of temperature and rainfall fulfill the re-
quirements In a better measure-indeed
are almost ideal
Investigation Of the ada ptability OF beet
sugar culture for the state of Washing
ton has been going on for three or four
years at the experimental station con-
nected with the agricultural college To-
Gated at Pullman, and reports show,
without any exaggeration, that II is ahead
Of any state in the union. This being a
correct version of the matter. is IL not
all fmportant that the citizens of the
state should reach out at once and take
IN this rich prize? While many natural
resources of great value have fallen to
the state, there Is no one. perhaps, that
rests on better paying basis than the
possibilities involved in the beet sugar de-
velopment.
Seed was sent out from the experiment
station of the state agricultural college
10 various portions of the state with in
strictions how TO cultivate the beets.
one HUNDRED localities, representing
twenty-six counties. responded with beets
at the station in the fall. Eleven conn-
ties in Eastern, and fifteen IN Western
washington gave the business trial.
Although the soil and climatic conditions
are somewhat different in the two sec
tions. still the yield was but little differ
ent.
bulletin Is. issued from the experimental
station. shows yield of sweetness above
the requirements OF sugar producing dis
tricts. besides having greater purity.
Average sweetness runs from 10 10 ~ per
cent and purity IS per cent. In some in
stances even higher record Was made.
one making 2zis per cent OF sugar ana -
of purity, which is said TO be the best yet
recorded of the beet sugar indus
try in any country. IL may be
observed. too. that every year
~ trial has brought out better develop
ment of quality and quantity In sweet
ness and tonnage Estimates on the ton
mage OF beefs from so limited trial can
not be considered altogether reliable; yet,
they give fair indication of what may
n. done in a practical way. Some esti-
mates place the tonnage all the way
from Is 10 - per acre. A practical sugar
nroaueer from Germany who made a trial
savS with experience and under favor
ahta conditions ~ tons of beets per acre
ua,,ld be the probable yield for the state.
paets sell at the factory from 81 10 s.
- tor Estimated cost OF growing the
hests il all the way from 80 TO 50 per
are. SO IL will be seen there Is big
,,cnav 10 the farmer in this productions
"a What Is better. he knows beforehand
~.na. his crop will bring and, Of course,
800 the benefit of a large crop without
Preference from middle men and specu-
,a,nrx When the business shall be re-
a,,cea 20 the most economic conditions
,,u,3sr experienced producers. there Is
,...ts question but that sugar beets viii
- the most profitable crop grown in the
s,ate and the advantages Of production
and manufacture OF Ahc aftfcfe an the
avoa section will be immense from every
,sas,, Of view BY sub-soiiing and filling
,ha ground on the Campbell plan, now
80 introduced n stands TO reason that
-. -. Weld would be much larger than
ssa,.a Indicated Mr.. Fulmsr % the ex-
-.s~ir,antal station az Pullman. remarks
- follows: Never In the existence of
~ weather bureau here has there been
~ aut,.u,n OF such excessive rainfall and
1ryx temperature. Yet. through IL all and
4, sn,te Of II all. we find beets remaining
~ the ground until the latter part OF
November IN good marketable condition