New-York tribune., 1903-01-02
BEET SUGARS FUTURE.
CAN MEET COMPETITION
The Industry Not Endangered byths
Treaty WHh Cuba.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO TEE rs1suSr.J

IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIsrNEi
Washington Jan. 1.--Senator OrvflIe II P1zst
who has returned TO Washington for the ss.-
sion. said to-day that he had not been here long
enough to estimate the situation with regard to
the Cuban treaty accurately, but he character
ICED all the objections so far advanced against
the convention as pure nonsense. and said that
its friends would have little difficulty In meeting
such arguments when the proper time came
The most encouraging information IN regard
to the future Of the beet sugar industry and IN
formation which has an important bearing on
the Cuban treaty now before the Senate. comes
from Secretary Wilson. than whom no one is
more competent to speak. Eoreseeing that
closer trade relations with Cuba were inevitabls
in the near future, Secretary Wilson has d.
rected the attention OF the scientists In his de-
partment to the cheapening OF sugar production.
and he told The Tribune to-day he believed that
within five years the United States would be IN
position to supply its own enormous demand
for sugar, estimated for the last year at 6.020-
O00000 pounds. or seventy pounds per capita. at
d price not exceeding two cents pound This
statement analysed means that even II 20 per
cent concession is granted to Cuba on her sugar
product the time is close at hand when. by i'm
proved methods. the American manufacturers
will be able to undersell Cuba and all other COM
petitors. Secretary Wilson says, There "a no
more profitable branch Of farming than the
growing of sugar beers, and ne produces 0s-
ures to prove his statement
NEW FIELDS FOR SUGAR BEETs.
BY means Of the Soil Survey new lands on
which the cultivation of this crop can be en-
gagged in WITH the greatst profits are constantly
being discovered. Within the last year the sur
vey has discovered extensive areas OF such land.
notably in the vicinity OF Lyons, N z: IN the
Salinas Valley of California. in the Arkansas
Valley, In Cerro Gordo and Story counties in
Iowa, and other sections. The national govern
ment is promoting irrigation on most extensive
scale, and the movement promises TO develop
large areas capable OF immense yields OF sugar
beets. where heretofore the land has been abso-
1uteIy unavaiIabIe because OF lack of water.
With irrigation properly applied the profit OF
sugar beet raising is largely increased. the sugar
content Of the crop being materially augmented.
While to-day the average beet grower produces
approximately twelve tons OF beets to the acre.
which yield him net profit OF SIS 70 S24 an
acre. under irrigation the returns are iuamedi-
ately increased to thirteen tons OF beets richer
in sugar. and the net profit is increased TO from
SIS to SIS 90 acre. But much greater In
creases are predicted by Secretary Wilson a.
result OF the application OF improved methods
and scientific principles. and he says that many
farmers already receive from s75 TO 500 acre
without increased cost OF production, and the
time Is not distant when all I'D to date farmers
will secure equally satisfactory yields
DECREASING COST OF PRODUCTION.
Another important factor IN cheapening the
cost Of production in this country will be the
growing of the beet seed, most OF which is
imported. Secretary Wilson has paid special
attention to this branch Of the industry. with
most gratifying results A hardly less i'm
portant factor IN the decrease OF the cost OF
producing beet surgar promises to be the in
creased consumption OF the beet pulp. or resi-
due, after the sugar is extracted This con-
stitutes valuable cattle food, but one that is
only beginning to be appreciated by stock grow
ers. The gradual failure OF the Western range
is resulting in an increased demand for sub
stitutes for grass, and the beet pulp once known
will be used extensively for this purpose. II Is
also believed that the percentages OF sngar yield
ed by ton Of beets can be stiu further in
creased. In the past, this increase, a result
of selection and breeding, has been going on al
the rate of from one-eishth to one-half of 1 per
cent year: and there IS no reason to believe
Not only will an increase of the sugar content
yield better returns to the growers, but It will
cheaper the process OF manufacture, that
the consumer is bound to be benefited in the
end.
when the beet sugar industry was in it's in
fancy there was no one in public life who was
more anxious than Secretary Wilson that IL
should have all the protection necessary 10 its
proper development. but satisfactory have
been the results of that protection that, IN the
estimation of the Secretary. the great essential
now is an absence of agitation which may oper-
ate TO divert the investment OF capital that
would be otherwise attracted to so profitable an
industry With the assurance OF stability IL Is
believed that capital will gladly seek beet sugar
production as profitable and safe investment,
and that in a short time IL will have developed
eign competition. but the successful establish
ment of the industry already accomplished VIII
remain as a monument to the protection poIlcE
to which that establishment is due.