Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1892 — MAKING BEET SUGAR. [ARTICLE]

MAKING BEET SUGAR.

A New and ible in Northern Indiana. The following is a unanimous committee report on the feasibility of the introduction of the sugar beet industry into northern Indiana, and the location of a sugar refinery at Logansport: March 1, 1892. To Clerks Union No. 6: Messrs, and Brothers—Upon a thorough investigation of the abundant printed mattersnbmitted by Mr. Weldon Webster much of which was carefully compiled, scientific literature, and reports from valued and undoubted authority—it was ascertained that at all places throughout the United States where the sugar beet industry has become fixed, viz Nebraska, California, Kansas, etc., etc., the net profits to the producer as compared to other crops has been such as shall arouse the mostprofound concern of all communities residing in countries equally favored. By letters from capitalists it was shown by Mr. Webster that upon submission of conclusive evidence of adaptability of soil and climate, that a refinery could be located at Logaffsp. >rt. Tn the reports of the Agricultural Experimental Station at Purdue University Lafayette it is said that the larger partof northern Indiana is favored in climate, soil, rainfall and mean annual temperature; that it equals the countries Avhere the raising of sugar beets has been entirely satisfactory, and where the net- profits range from S2O to S4O per acre according to yield and percentage of sugar. Cass county which furnishes a fair average of other northern counties, has been so far found to yield 13 to 30 tons of beets per acre and 10 to 15 per cent, sugar content. These figures compare favorably with the sugar beet regions of Nebraska, Kansas and California. At $35 per ton for the kind of j yield aud per centage (which your committee found to be the minimum prices) the successful farmer would get from $45.56 to $lO5 per acre. Deducting the average cost for raising which we found to be about S2O per acre (sl6 to 25) there would be a net profit of $25 50 to SBS according to yield and p£rcentage of 'sugar content. The price per ton has been as high as $5 to $7 where the beets were richer in sugar. That which has been done in the sugar beet industry at other places may be accomplished in Northern Indiana. Yourcommittee must of necessity omit much valuable matter, and in their report only seek to give a brief account of the investigation of the abundant testimony before them. *'*- It is plain from these broadly varying figures that the sugar beet industry has not yet been reduced to a science in the United States, but its growth certainly promises wonders and the profits invite the most sincere attention of onr people. If it can be demonstrated that country tributary to Logansport is entirely adapted to the raising of- sugar beets we have no doubt that a refinery can be located at Lcgansport. All fanners or gardeners desiring to sow an experimental crop should send their names to Weldon Webster, Logansport, Ind., or to C. S. Plumb, Lafayette, Ind. The Experimental Station at Lafayette will furnish seed and directions and in the fall will analyze sample, beets for all who wish to take a part in the enterprise, all free of charge. We recominend that this report be published. h Other northern county papers please copy. Welton Webster, Chmn. V m. Lee, Secretary