34 



THE SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



has continued its existence to the present time. Its machinery came originally from the 

 failures in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Alvarado enterprise struggled along for years, 

 while the farmers were learning how to grow beets, and while the quality of beets was 

 being improved. Too much credit cannot be extended to E. H. Dyer, and his son, Edward 

 F. Dyer and others, for their persistent work at Alvarado. 



Dr. C. A. Goessmann, a German sugar expert, conducted the first scientific experi- 

 ments in sugar beet culture at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, 1873-6. Had 

 Goessmann's teachings been followed, the present condition of our American beet sugar 

 industry might have been reached ten or twenty years earlier. Lewis Ware founded 

 the journal, "The Sugar Beet," in 1880, having previously revived the Alvarado factory, 

 was instrumental in starting the factories in Maine, Massachusetts and Delaware, has 

 devoted time, brain and money to developing the industry, and deserves full credit. 



Dr. H. W. Wiley, chief of the division of chemistry, United States department of 

 agriculture, when in charge of the sorghum work, as early as 1884 investigated the sugar 



DK. H. W. WILEY. 



beet in California and reported favorably upon it. In 1883 he urged that stations be 

 established to experiment with beet, cane and sorghum, but was not allowed to carry out 

 his plans until 1888-92. Since then the department has actively promoted the industry. 



The real impetus given to the beet sugar industry as a practical commercial enter- 

 prise in the United States dates from the time the Oxnards took it up late in the '80's. 

 After large experience in the cane sugar and sugar refining interests in the United States, 

 Mr. Henry T. Oxnard made a special study of beet sugar abroad, and became convinced 

 of its possibilities here. With characteristic energy, enthusiasm and ability, Mr. Oxnard 

 spared neither labor nor money in conducting a grand campaign of education, in the 

 course of which he has expended largely of his private fortune. He was also the organ- 

 izer of the American Beet Sugar Manufacturers' Association in 1891, and as its president 

 has served without salary and mainly at his own expense. Mr. Henry T. Oxnard has 

 backed up his faith with immense investments in sugar factories, by giving away many 

 tons of beet seed, and is to-day the recognized head of the industry in the United 

 States. With the aid of his brother, James G. Oxnard (a sugar engineer of large practi- 

 cal experience), James G. Hamilton and others, the favorable legislation 



