Year: 1869

Many causes are now at work to interest
the capital of this country in the production
of beet root sugar. Among these may be
enumerated, first, the depression OF the su-
gar trade of the West Indies consequent up
on the competition of European beet root
sugar, which threatens 10 compel the aban-
donment of the business on many planta-
tions Second, the changed condition Of
affairs in the sugar growing districts OF the
United States on account of the abolishment
of slavery and the increased cost of labor re-
sulting therefrom. Third, the recent intro
duction and success of the diffusion process
in the East Indies, which renders it extreme
ly probable that the same process will very
much cheaper the production Of beet root
sugar. Fourth, the success which has been
achieved by some establishments already de-
voted to this industry In this country, which
demonstrates the feasibility of a further ex-
tension of the manufacture.


We have not yet learned the success which
the Roberts diffusion process has met with
in its application to beet root sugar extrac-
ton In Germany, where II Is now undergoing
term of probation; but whether il succeeds
or fails, we do not entertain a doubt that the
beet, and not the cane, Is to be the chief
source of sugar supply for the future.


The beet has the advantage that 1t can be
raised on very much more extended portion
of the earth's surface; ii can be worked for
long time after it is harvested, very great
advantage over the cane; and, with labor at
equal rates, it will yield given WEIGHT of
sugar of equal quality at less cost than
cane. These are facts capable of demonstra-
tion. Our attention was called to this sub
ject at a time which presented much less
favorable auspices than the present for the
establishment of this industry in America,
the period when the blight of civil war was
resting upon the land. At that time We OBJ
tain nf wv h0u
had become familiar with the matter by long
practical experience as superintendent of a
beet root sugar mandatory in Europe, esti-
mates OF the cost, expenses and probable
profits of a similar establishment here, which
we may at some future time, after some
changes to suit the altered condition Of
affairs, lay before our readers.


Very few are aware of the enormous guam
tity of sugar used in this country, aud the
extremely small proportion grown here
The reports of the Commissioners of Agri-
culture, show that the United States con-
sumo over one billion OF pounds of sugar,
and forty-five million gallons of molasses
annually. OF this great total not one per
cent. is of home production, while every
pound ought to be grown on our soil.


The fact has long been established that,
owing to peculiariiies of our soil and climate,
beets grown in this country contain from one
or two per cent more saccharine matter than
those grown in Europe. In the manufacture
of beet root sugar circumstances are all in
our favor except the one item of labor, but
as labor only represents "a per cent. Of the
cost of production, the difference between
its value in this country and in Europe is
nearly counterbalanced by the cheapness of
our lands and the increased product, SO that
without taking into account the tariff on
sugar, We could nearly compete with French
and German producers.


The amount OF revenue received by France
from the sugar industry is greater than from
any other one source. In this respect ii is TO
France what the malt tax is TO England.
Now possessing advantages superior to
France in every particular except cheap labor,
it is, we think, impossible to show why this
industry should not spring at once into
healthy activity, if capitalists would open
their eyes to the promise of profit it offers.