The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-12-13
at q stipulated price based upon the
acreage under cultivation.

at q stipulated price based upon the
acreage under cultivation
Some interesting facts about bee,
sugar production are given in a bulle-
tin issued by the Montana experiment
station, which says the location IN
any community OF a beet sugar factory
OF a capacity of 800 tons-the most
approved and economical unit-means
the purchase of 10000 tons of beets
from the farmers of the immediate
neighborhood, at an average of IS per
ton, and a pay roll disbursement of
S6O, 600 per annum-a total of 1850, 900
paid In cash to such community dur.
ing the fall and winter months. The
effect of the distribution of this enor.
nous sum, in addition to the ordinary
dis bursements, may easily be con-
ceived.
The bulletin states that the follow.
ing are the essential requirements of
location for a successful factory:
First-Beets, in sufficient quantity
and of the required sugar content and
purity. 1t Is Improbable to work
beets containing less than ~ per cent.
OF sugar, and they should rather aver.
age IA per cent. Anything above this
average is 80 much better.
The purity Of the beet is of equal, II
not greater, Importance and should be
at least 80 per cent. or better. Beets
OF high purity and comparatively low
sugar content yield more sugar than
those of higher sugar content and low
purity. BY purity, OF the coeficient
of purity, as it is technically called,
Is meant the ratio of the sugar to the
solid contents OF the juice.
On general principles, the acreage
required for a plant Of any capacity
should be ten times the daily tonnage
capacity: for a 600 ton plant, 5000
acres. A triAe smaller acreage in ir-
rigated sections might suffice, as the
tonnage product is apt to be, with
proper care, nearly so per cent.
greater.
Second-Water The water supply
should be at all times adequate and
not subject to fluctuations or failure,
and as free as possible from mineral
matter. At least 5000, 600 gallons
daily are required for the operation
of a 600 ton factory; and the source
OF supply should always be reason
ably near the factory site, to avoid
excessive pumping apparatus and op.
Grating expenses.
Third-Drainage. As the above
quantity Of water must be discharged
from the factory heavily contaminat.
with soil washed from beets, with
The waste lime and impurities removed
from the beets and juice in the pro.
cess of refining, it should not be al
lowed to aow into any natural water
used below for domestic pur-
poses.
F0urth-Money. Without this all
The others are valueless so far as the
establishment of this industry is con.
cerned. To construct and properly
equip q modern sugar beet factory,
the cost will be approximately $1,000
for each ton OF daily capacity; that
is, a 600 ton plant will cost about
$500, 900.
This does not include the cost nj
railway switches, purchases OF seed,
or agricultural expenses, for which
and for a small working capital q
further sun should be raised, varying
with the conditions. This amount Of
money must be fully assured from
some reliable source before 1t Is at all
safe to enter into any contract for
construction.