The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-02-02

industry in Nebraska as well as in all
parts of the country, but those who
are in position to know claim that the
business now is in a healthier cOndi-
ton than ever, and on the eve OF
great boom. The outlook is especially
favorable in Nebraska, where a State
law enacted in 1895 provides for the
payment of a bounty of five-eighths
OF one per cent. per pound upon al
sugar manufactured ia the State,
whether from beets, sorghum or other
sugar-yielding plants, grown within its
boundaries. Small as this bounty APP
pears. it is something, and will doubt-
less act as an incentive to sugar pro-
ducers.
The soil of Nebraska seems to be
well suited TO beet culture, but growers
have 10 contend with drought or ex-
cessive rains, either condition being
inimical to the successful growth CT
any crop. However, the claim is made
that beets have been raised there.
yielding so tons TO the acre. This is
not subject for congratualtion, as it
signifies an abnormal size of the roofs
and corresponding decrease of sugar
content. Beets OF not more than three
and one-half pounds weight are more
highly esteemed by manufacturers, and
inueed, it is expressly stipulated in
many contracts that they shall weigh
no more than that, and that they shall
contain not less than IL per cent sugar
50 per cent. pure.
The statistician, LIGHT, in Magd :
burg, denies the possibility OF bees
ever containing more than 10 per cent
sugar on an average. Nevertheless,
Nebraskans claim that beets have been
produced in that State containing z3
per cent sugar, which result has also
been attained in some parts OF Can
fornia. We were not able 10 learn me
yield per acre in connection with this
statement. 1t is fair TO assume that
1t was much below the average IL 10
10 tons to the acre. for SUCH an excess
OF sugar means abnormal dryness OIL
the soil, which in turn means small
yield in weight, so that neither the
producer nor the manufacturer gains
by such an exhibit.
Despite the vicissitudes OF climate
with which the Nebraskans have 10
contend, they are very much in ear
nest. They have. all told, about 4.OOJ
acres given to beet culture, and in one
year produced one 5OOth part of the
nations supply of sugar This does
not imply small figures. 1t means a
line OF sugar barrels, placed end 20
end, 125 miles long, as we are informed
by a statistical fiend, who also tells
us that the United States eats enough
sugar to fill four lines of barrels plac ed
in the same position reaching from
New York to San Francisco.
The beet sugar industry is yet in it's
infancy in Nebraska, but it has the
fostering care of the State in providing
a bounty, and furthermore has the en-
enlargement and protection of The
State University. This institution, to
guard against the deterioration of SEED,
therefore lessening the percentage of
sugar, and destroying the profit of the
industry, has undertaken to grow seed ;
and in addition, in order to insure to
manufacturers the aid of skilled work
ers, the university gives a course of
instruction in beet sugar manufacture.
which also includes chemical analysis
Altogether, there is reason in the
hopefulness displayed by the beet sugar
manufacturers of this Western State.
and an intelligent method in the way
in which they have set about the de-
velopment of tile new industry.