The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-27
THE MORNING NEWS: WEDNESDAY. MARCH ~. 1901.
TO EXPLOIT CANE.
DEPARTMENT WILL
HELP GEORGIA AND FLORIDA.
WILL ANALYzE SAMPLES,
SOIL AND CANE WILL BE SENT TO
WASHINGTON.


Iy Undertake the work-EndOrse-
ment of Georgia and Florida as
Sugar-Producing States. by the
Agricultural Department Would.
Capt. Purse Believes, Mean Heavy
Investments In Sugar Mills-Prices
for which Sugar Mills Might be
Established.
The Agricultural Department of the
United States will exploit Georgia and
Florida as sugar producing states. 1t
will make a careful and scientific analy-
sis of the soil of the two states to as
certain just what properties for the pro-
duction OF sugar it may contain, and
samples of sugar cane will also be analy-
zed.
Capt. D. G. Purse of this city, has been
commissioned by the Department to Sc
cure the samples of soil and of sugar
cane that are to be tested at Washing
ton. He will soon take the necessary
steps to get the soil that is desired, and,
when the sugar cane crop of this year is
harvested. he will obtain samples of it to
forward to the chief chemist of the de-
partment.
1t is expected that the analysis will
prove that Georgia and Florida arc
adapted to the culture OF sugar to a de-
gree that has never been recognized by
other than Capt Purse, who has made
study of the question in all of its phas-
es and is prepared to show by analysis
made by Prof. w. c. Stubs of Louisiana,
just what the two states are capable Of
Testimony from Prof. Stubbs, one of the
most eminent authorities in the country.
Is strong indeed but Capt Purse feels
mat the endorsement of the Agricultural
Department is still more to be desired
with such Endorsement, Capt. Purse is
confident, the capitalists of the South
would sieze upon the opportunity they
are not yet ready to recognize They need
just such demonstration as Capt Purse
is sure awaits them. The Investigation
10 be made by the government will, he
Is convinced, show a capacity for sugar
production in the soil of the two states
that Will make sugar mills no more than
a logical consequence. He is looking to
the early establishment of many mills in
Georgia and Florida for the transyersion
of the juice OF sugar cane into sugar.
While on trip North, from which he
has Just returned, Capt Purse visited
Buffalo, where he had conferences with
the manager of a factory where sugar
mill machinery is turned out Figures
showing the cost of small mills were
given him, and he was agreeably sur
prlsed TO see the wide disparity between
the ngures and those that have thus far
served to scare away prospective inyes-
tors in mills in the South 1t has been
currently reported, when there has been
agitation of the question of the establish
ment OF sugar mills, that they could not
be erected for less than cost of 5000 900
each. The following, however, are esti>
mates secured by Capt. Purse that read
lily refute this contention Machinery for
2OO-to1 mill, laid down at the steamers
side in New York, $40 900; for a 15O-ton
mill, $29.5O0; for 100-ton mill, $50, 72O. The
factory estimates that the mills will con-
sumo the number of tons of cane indicated
in twentythree hours
The 20-tonl mill, in Capt Purses opin
lon, is to be chosen, rather than those Of
smaller capacity. One superintendent. one
chemist and one clerical force would do
Tor large mill, just as for a small one.
while the labor for a large one would he
but little in excess of that required for a
small one. The increase in labor neces
sary would not be commensurate with the
increase In production of sugar Economy
demands the establishment of the 2oO-ton
mill, and 1t is for that capacity that no
will work
Capitalists at several places in Geor-
gia and Florida, Valdosta, Albany and
Jacksonville among them, have indicated
that they would be glad to invest in sugar
mills If they could but be assured that
| they could secure enough cane yearly for
| their operation. For a mill of 200 tons
| capacity, 1t would be necessary for the
| farmers of its neighborhood to plant some
| $50 acres in cane. BY actual estimate 600
acres would suffice, but Capt. Purse
| thinks $50 should be the acreage. to be
on the safe side.
Beet sugar has been a sort of pet pro-
| duct with the Agricultural Department
| Capt. Purse says, and he wants 1t to rec
ognize and exploit sugar from Georgia
and Florida sugar cane in the same way
| He has so interested the secretary of the
| department as to make him feel that there
| Is great possibility for the states in
their product. The cost of making the
analysis will not be inconsiderable. but
| the department viii bear ii without
murmur because of the very apparent
prospect there is in the development of
a great industry in Georgia and Florida
1t might. too, extend to South Carolina
| and Alabama, as those states are adapted
| to the culture of cane, and success in
Georgia and Florida would doubtless be
followed by the establishment of mills In
the other states where the possibilities
are bright.
In order to make the estimate complete
Capt Purse will see that some fifty sam
Piles of soil are sent to Washington from
each state. He will make 1t point to