The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-02-18
.SUGAR.BEET CULTURE
Historical Sketch OF the In.
dustry in America.
FIRST ATTEMPT A FAILURE

FIRST ATTEMPT 4 FAILURE
It Was Established Near Philadel.
phia in 1s3O-Factories Now
in the United States
Mr.. Albert Gerberding delivered an
address before the Chit Chat Club, Of
San Francisco, which contained brief
history of the beet-sugar industry in
this country. As the subject of start
ing the industry in the Northwest is
being agitated, it is thought information
from its perusal may be obtained. The
historical sketch Of the industry is as
follows:
Europe has 8, 900, 900 acres of fields,
producing say, 1850, 900 tons of sugar
annually, and of this amount is selling
to the United States sugar to the value
of $40, 100000 year. Although the
industry has been established in Euro
pean countries for years, it has been
slow to gain hold in America. Its
history On this side of the Atlantic is
short, although the same climatic con-
ditions prevail.
"Our first commercial experiment in
making sugar from beets was near
Philadelphia, in 1880, contemporaries
ously with the final establishment of
the industry in France, but with wide
~ different results. Intelligent pursuit
in that country brought success; ignor-
ance in our own, disastrous failure.
The experiment was tried again in 1888
by man in Massachusetts. His sugar
product cost him II cents a pound. He
was the victim of the theory that beets
must be dried before processing. He
had his experience, and those who came
after him profited by his failure.
"For twenty-five years thereafter
America made no attempt to manufac-
ture beet sugar. In 1868 factory was
established in Illinois. The land was
unfavorable to beet culture, and, after
six years Of unintelligent endeavor, the
factory was moved to another part Of
the state, not more favorable, and fail
ure was again the result. Again the
machinery was moved, to Wisconsin
this time, where both the soil and eli
mate were unsuitable, and since 1871
nothing has been heard Of the establish
ment. A factory was afterward started
in Fond du Lac, Wis, and attracted
much attention.
In 1869 the owners, two German
chemists, came to California to superin-
tend new enterpris. of the same sort
at Alvarado, started by Mr.. Dyer, who
is entitled to the credit of inaugurating
the beet sugar industry in this state.
He still resides in close proximity to the
Alvarado factory, and we are pleased to
note that he is yet stakeholder in
what is now dividend-paying enter
prise, the ultimate result of his long
years of persistent effort. After years
of Indifferent success the company was
recognized in 1889, the plant enlarg-
ed, and since then the business has
been success.
Sacramento started a factory in
1869, with machinery costing $780,
900. In 1876 it was sold for $40, 900,
and used to re-equip the Alvarado fac
tory, which from that time until 1889
was the only beet-sugar factory in
America.
'In 1889-90 the Western Beet-Sugar
Company erected it's factory at Watson
vile, Cal. Chino, CAL, was the scene
of the next factory, started about 1891,
and about the same time factories we're
built at Lehi, Utah; Grand Island,
Neb., and Norfolk, Neb. New Mexico
and Virginia also claim factory each
now.
IA new factory is now being con-
at Alamantis, in the vicinity
of Anaheim, CAL, and one has been
commenced at Salinas. Thus we have
at present eight factories in the entire
United States, three of which with two
more in process Of construction are To-
Gated in California. In this vast state
of unlimited acreage, favorable climate
and soil, there are perhaps today about
60, 900 acres. or one-twentieth of per
cent of the area of California, devoted
to beet culture, and yet we are paying
Sc, 600, 900 to our friends
across the water for what we could as
we'll and better produce ourselves.
.'This sugar beet has been bred, and
bred for desirable points, such as shape,
color, size, soilage and saccharine con-
tents, until, by careful selection, these
qualities have become fixed. The seed
planted in California has been imported
from France and Germany, but, under
the influence of the climate and soil, a
higher percentage of saccharine matter
has been developed than in any other
known place. Beets are known to
grow in this state on about %, 900 ares
in four counties, and, while we know
they flourish in the neighborhood of
three factories. it is interesting to de-
scribe the method Of testing and bring
ing to public notice new territory. 1t
has been the experience Of all the fac
tories that for the first few years the
greatest difficulty has been in securing
Q sufficient quantity Of beets. but as
soon as the far1ners begin to understand
the business. the supply taxes the
utmost capacity Of the factory.
Beets, as crop. are Of but little use
without the factories, and factories are
yalueless without the beets.
The farmer has the land, which he
knows win produce good beets, butthe
capitalist will not venture his wealth
until he sees the beets growing, and
unless the capitalist il also the land
owner, and appreciates the advantages