The Holly chieftain. (Holly, Colo.) 1897-1987, 1907-12-27

sugar is made from beets, says
Bent County Democrat:
During the year of 1906, the
total production of sugar was
approximately I3,44o.ooo tons of
which amount 1906, 500 tons were
in shape of beet sugar; in other
words, something less than 60
per cent. During the same per-
iod, the United States only pro-
duced about 100000 tons, of
which 10000 tons were in the
shape of beet sugar, SO you will
see that this country does not
produce much more than rs per
cent of the entire amount of SUI
gar which it consumes.
"Of the nearly half million tons
of beet sugar produced in the
United States, the state of Colo
RADIO is credited with 10000
tons. or about 80 per cent of the
entire amount of beet sugar pro-
duced in the country.
In order that you may under
stand the tremendous growth of
this industry in our state,
might call your attention to the
fact that eight years ago there
were only 1000 acres planted
in sugar beets in the entire
state of Colorado, whereas the
contracts for the present year
show an acreage in excess of
10000 acres. Eight years ago
the 1000 acres planted returned
to the farmers only about $780,
600; this year We expect the
crop will be in excess of one and
one-half million tons of beets,
which will return to the farm
ers directly over $7,5oo,ooo. In
addition to this amount, the
factories will spend for material.
labor, etc, an additional $500
600. So, we can see that this
great industry will return di-
rectly to the citizens Of Colora-
do over $15,ooo,ooo during the
coming year. In the year of
1900, there was but one beet
sugar factory in this state, where
as today there are 16 factories
running, which represent an in
vestment of considerably over
$25,ooo.ooo and which give en-
ployment, directly or indirectly,
to probably more than 10000
persons. From statistics which
are at my command, I find that
for every acre of sugar beets
planted, the sugar factories pay
the railroads for freight from
$22 to SIS, and you must bear in
mind that this does not include
any indirect returns to the rail
roads from the carrying of other
products, such as food stuffs, etc.
"The large growth in such a
short period shows the tremen-
dous fertility of our state, and
its wonderful adaptability to the
culture of sugar beets, but, to
my great surprise, | find that
there is in the minds of nearly
everybody very great ignor-
ance as to the methods of manu-
facture Of this valuable commod-
ty. In fact l was asked the
other day, by gentleman of my
acquaintance, whether it was not
probable that some cheap method
Of manufacture would be dis
covered whereby the farmers
might produce, at least the raw
sugar on their own farms, and
in that way entirely throw out
the costly factories which have
been erected. / said to him that
probably the best answer l could
make would be to take him thru
beet sugar factory, and had
the pleasure recently of taking
the gentleman in question to our
factory at Rocky Ford, and show
ing him the entire process, from
the beet in the bins to the spark
ling granulated sugar in the
bags. With your permission, this
is what will try to do for you
all this evening.
First, however. let me say for
your information, that the sugar
which is contained in the beet,
is held in suspension together