Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-02-02
THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY
Mr.. Arthur GOetz Tells of What Has
Been Accomplished in the
PecOs Valley.
TIE POSSIBILITIES OF The INDUSTRY
New Mexico Will Lead the World
AS Sugar Beet Producing
Country.

Country.
Mr.. arthur Goetz, of Eddy, manager o
the Pecos valley sugar factory, is in the
city on his way home from the east
where he has been in the interest of his
company. Mr.. Goetz was seen at the
Palace this morning and gave some very
interesting facts concerning the Pecof
valley sugar factory in particular, and tht
beet sugar industry in New Mexico il
general. He said:
"To show what enterprise and industry
will do, let me tell something of tht
building of our factory. During the fal
and winter of '95 and '9G the farmers Of
the valley became interested IN the cul.
ture of sugar beets and came to my com.
pany urging that factory be- built. In
February, one year ago, we decided to
build the factory, but it was not until the
t1th day Of May that work actually be-
gan. On November 26, following, we
turned ont white granulated sugar. Our
product is sold throughout Texas and
southern New Mexico, and we have yet to
hear of single complaint concerning the
quality of the sugar.
"Of course it has been uphill work
establishing the factory. We had to
educate our help; the farmers were
obliged to do considerable xperimenting,
but despite these drawbacks the manage
ment is more than satisfied with the
results, while the farmers are enthusiastic
over the past years business. And there
is every reason they should he. The per
cent of saccharine matter in the beets
grown in the Pecos valley is larger than
any other beet district in the United
States. The average of the first 500 tons
of beets we run was II per cent of sugar,
making the price paid farmers $4.75 per
ton. With intelligent farming fifteen
tons of beets can be raised to the acre.
Men who have been in the business for
twenty years say they never saw 80 large
percentage of sugar in beets, nor better
returns to growers. Considering the
late start in building, the late planting
of the beets, the business for the past
ysar is success in every particular.
The capacity of the factory is now 200
tons per day of twentyfour hours, and be-
fore next seasons run begins the plant
will be increased to $50 tons. The in
crease of acreage devoted to beet raising
in the valley making this enlargement
necessary.
"In regard to the beet industry so far
as the rest of New Mexico is concerned,
am Of the opinion that there is not an
agricultural district in the territory which
will not produce sugar beets successfully.
The sugar beet requires from five to six
months to thoroughly mature and ripen;
the saccharine matter in the beet does not
come from the soil, but from the air and
sunshine, and know no part of the ter
ritory where there is not an abundance of
both. The northern and western states
have rich soil and can grow beets of great
size, but the many cloudy, rainy days
which prevail prevent the accumulation
of sugar. In the culture of the beets the
leaves must not be unnecessarily dis
turbed. They are the arteries through
which the sweetness of the air and sun
shine flow into the beet. The more
spreading and luxuriant the leaves the
better. The soil of New Mexico is rich
enough to grow the beet, while our sun
shine and pure air does the rest. l
think that in few years the growing of
sugar beets and the manufacturing of
sugar therefrom will become one of the
leading industries of the territory, and
will revolutionize our agricultural con-
ditions.
"Our company and the farmers of the
valley have now the benefits of A years
experimental work and the coming year
they will profit by the mistakes that
have been made. Say to your readers that
we will willingly and gladly render all the
assistance in our power to the people of
other districts interested in the beet sugar
industry. All correspondence directed to
us on the subject will be promptly an
swered and we will give all the benefits of
our experience. We do not want anyone
to hesitate in asking us for advice"
Mr.. Goetz is deeply interested in the
development of the resources of the ter
ritory, has been connected with the Pecos
Valley Irrigation company ever since its
formation, has been all through the ex-
perimental work connected with the beet
sugar industry and therefore speaks from
actual knowledge. Judging from what
he says, and taking into consideration
the climate, soil and irrigation possibili-
ties of the country surrounding Santa Fe,
the NEw MEXICAN is of the opinion that
no better opportunities are offered any
where for the growing of beets and the
manufacture of sugar than right here at
home. Our citizens should look into this
matter and place some movement on
foot that will result in the establishing of
khis enternriae in santa Ee