The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-25
BEET-CULTURE LIMITATIONS.
Only a Few States i'm Which the In
dustry Can BE Made Profitable.

Washington Letter in New York Post
In the discussion of beet-sugar prospects,
which is now at its height, ii is apparent
that the representatives of this new indus
try are taking an altogether too optimistic
view of it's possibilities in this country
One need only open a treatise issued a few
months ago by the Department of Agricul-
ture, which is really the head of the beet
sugar Propaganda. to learn that there are
decided limita tons TO the growth of the
beet in many parts OF this country. The
farmers, II seems, were requested by the
department TO send samples OF the beets
they were raising to Washington for analy-
sis, and upon them a report was made.
From Illinois. for example, one hundred
samples had been received. OF which the
average size of the beet was normal but
both the content of sugar and coeficient OF
purity were below the standard"
Two hundred and thirty-five samples
from Indiana showed that State as prac-
tically in the same rank a sugar-pro-
Queer as Illinois. The report adds that IL
is not advisable TO try TO carry the COM
mercial growing Of sugar-beets farther
south than the central part Of these States.
From Iowa several hundred samples were
received but the department says that
their content of sugar falls just short OF
the average standard fixed for successful
manufacture. The purity Of the Iowa beets
sugar is considered This fault can doubt
less be remedied by more careful culture"
AS 10 Kansas this exhaustive study OF
conditions concludes that the climate is
not suitable TO growing high-grade sugar
beets The summers are too long and too
dry. The uniformly low sugar content OF
the samples received from Kentucky Is
mot encouraging The samples received
from Maine, the bulletin says, were re-
markedly poor in quality" Maryland ap-
pears to be ''one of those States which are
Just on the border separating the good
from the Indifferent areas for beet-sugar
production. The data obtained from MIN
nesota are not favorable a. theoretical
indications would lead one 10 expect" Mis-
souri, is like Maryland. OF New Hampshire
the bulletin recites that the character OF
the soil and the contour of the State will
prevent beet culture from ever becoming
an industry OF great magnitude Ohio can
not, 'as a whole, be regarded as favorable
TO beet culture" From Oklahoma the data
are distinctly unfavorable. The samples
received from Virginia ARE not encourage
ing TO the belief that a successful beet
sugar industry can be established therein
And so one might proceed.
Tie places where the beet-sugar industry
may be expected to thrive, If the depart
ment's views are correct, are certain parts
Of California Colorado, Idaho, Michigan,
Nebraska, New York. Oregon and Utah,
with, of course, smaller areas in other
States. The irrigated lands of such States
able. and il the government will further
subsidize the industry by paying for the
irrigation, the crop doubtless will prove a
great success. Michigan seems TO be doing
most just now, and although its available
ity for this industry is not doubted. the ex-
pert Investigations are not wholly natter-
ing. The departments conclusion Is TINS.
after examining 100 samples There IS
little doubt of the fact that Michigan is
one Of the most favorable localities IN the
United states Tor the growing OF nlsn-
grade sugar beets. When the farmers OF
the State thoroughly learn the art OF sue
cessful beet culture. they Will be aole 10
compete with even the more favored dis
tricts of Europe, both in the quality OF
the beets produced and in the yield per
acre"
Nebraska is another State in which the
beet early impressed itself upon politics
and politicians. Even Senator Thurston.
who wept so eloquently over Cuba before
the war, began 10 turn cold shoulder to-
wards her shortly afterward IN way that
surprised Eastern observers. II was the
beet that did it. OF this State the de-
partment says: Many years OF the corn
mercial culture OF the sugar beet have
distinctly fixed the status OF Nebraska in
respect TO this industry. IL has been
demonstrated that beet sugar can be made
in Nebraska, but il is evident from the
data OF the last few years that Nebraska
does not rank so high as some Of the other
States in its capability or raising high
grade sugar beets.
IL thus appears that in the race between
the temperate and the torrtd zones over
the production Of sugar, we have no ex-
traordinary advantages. even when seer
by the eyes OF those who have most al
heart the success Of the beet-sugar indus.
try. The diseases OF the highly developed
beet are sure TO give the scientific experts
Of the department a good deal OF trouble.
Pages of this bulletin are devoted TO II
in which FIVE distempers discussed II
detail. When IL Is considered how much
German scientists have done for the de-
velopment OF this plant. IL may well be
wondered what would be the condition Of
| the cane crop to-day had IL ever received
| anywhere near so much study and atten.
| ton
How TO compete in this country with the
| labor OF the tropics Is another seriouf
| problem. The labor OF the West Is too high
priced for the beet culture, even with tn
| present heavy protection and the bounties
which many OF the States are paying. Some
| people believe that New York will becoms
/ a great sugar State, IL this country decides
| 10 keep out the cane. because OF the large
/ numbers OF newly arrived immigrants from
| southern and eastern Europe who could be
| set TO work by whole families in the beet