The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-01

do not think the production of raw sugar
in this country can catch up with the con-
sumption inside of twenty years. BY that
time our population will reach at least 1OQ,-
600 and our consumption OF sugar Will
be at least $780, 900 tons a year instead OF
1000, 900 tons, as it is now. Speaking rough
~, that would require the raising or at
least S2OOO'O0Q tons of sugar beets and
would probably give the farmers at least
$780, 900 a year. 1t would require the use
of about 1900 900 acres of land and enorn Gus
amounts of coal chemicals, labor and ma
chinery There is no reason in the world
why the Industry should not be developed,
and look for ii to be done as rapidly as
the Bessemer steel business has developed
in the country. l think the best sugar ma
chinery in the world is made in the United
inducement our mechanical engineers will
certainly surpass the world in machinery
and processes, just as they have in every
other great line OF industry when they have
had the proper incentive to use their wits.
Probably nothing Is needed so much in
this country to bring about prosperity
to give the farmers a better chance to live
and make some money. A factory which
would use 900 tons of beets in year
would give the farmers in the vicinity
450000 in cash. The factory would pay for
labor at least $l50000 more. Where fac
tories have been established they have al
ways resulted in large increase in the
value of land, large increase in the Cir
culation of money, and the betterment OF
the general condition of every one in the
vicinity. Most of the money paid out re-
mains at home, where ii is needed. Be-
sides the sugar produced in such a factory
tons of beet pulp annually. This beet pulp
is excellent for fattening cattle and sheep.
That quantity would fatten fully 10000 head
of cattle, which would be another big item
of profit to the farmers.
"Of course, a great many mistakes Will
be made by people who embark in the bust
ness and there will be a great many fall
ures, but most of them will be due to the
location of factories where the climatic
conditions are unfavorable. Amy country
where the fall or the ripening harvesting
season is likely to be wet and the fall very
cold is, in my opinion, united for this
business.
What do you think Of the possibility Of
the industry being conducted successfully
in New York Slater" asked the reporter.
I do not think the State of New York
is fitted for the business was the reply.
Il think 1T would be impossible TO raise
beetS here, averaging one year with an
other, with more than Is per cent of sugar,
from which about 10 per cent. of refined
sugar could be extracted IN the most ia
Vored localities in the arid region you can
count on 16 per cent The additional per
cent. of sugar, obtained with little extra
cost, would pay for coal and labor and all
the manufacturing expenses. Besides this,
owing to the cold fall and winter, a large
share of the beets would have to be stored
at considerable expense and deterioration
of quality. Again, the lands have been
worked out, and to raise good beets a great
deal of money would have to be spent for
fertilizers, which in the West viii be I'M
necessary for long term of years. Most
of the sugar, however comes from the sun
light and not from the soil. and therefore
those localities produce the rlchest DeetS
which have the most sunlight In that part
Of the arid region most suitable Tor the cul-
tivation of sugar beets there are at least
three hundred clear days in the year EVEN
two or three days of fog viii take much
sugar out Of the beets. sugar Is prlnclpaHy
absorb these things and store them up in
the beet