80 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



BEET SUGAR. 



By George E. Brackett, Belfast. 



The prominence given to the subject of beet sugar, in the 

 inaugural address of Gov. Connor, and his recommendations and 

 suggestions in regard to the feasibility and advisability of the 

 culture of the beet in Maine for the manufacture of sugar, is my 

 excuse for calling the attention of the Board of Agriculture to the 

 matter at this time. 



While I am not yet prepared to fully agree with our Executive 

 in so heartily and fully recommending this comparatively new- 

 industry to the farmers and citizens of Maine, yet I would not be 

 one of those factious spirits who oppose a movement or project 

 simply because it is new. No doubt the Governor had all the 

 data before him, deductions from which warranted him in his 

 recommendations. I confess, I am not fully read up in the 

 progress and condition of the beet sugar industry during the past 

 few years. I understand from report that an attempt was made 

 to introduce the business into Maine years ago, but where and 

 with what general results I am not advised. 



But it is undoubtedly a fact that the beet sugar industry is an 

 important one in the old countries, although yet in its infancy in 

 the United States, and being such we cannot afford to ignore or 

 overlook it in our agricultural economy. If the State of Maine is 

 specially adapted to beet cultivation and the manufacture of beet 

 sugar, we desire to know it now or as soon as may be, and vice 

 versa; in either case discussion and consideration of the question 

 will soon inform us. 



The advocates of beet sugar manufacture claim the advantages 

 of its introduction would be : To insure superior methods of 

 agriculture, increased crops, more remunerative prices, home 

 markets and enhanced value of farms. It would also tend to 

 create industry, diversify labor, reduce the price of sugar and 

 bread, and render us independent of foreign countries. Greatly 

 to be desired results are these I grant, and such as towards the 

 attainment of which it is our bounden duty to strive. 



