BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY. 43 



It would be impossible for us eveu to mention the 

 various minor attempts that have been made in nearly 

 every State of the Union ; the most absurd were those 

 in the Southern States. The Agricultural Department 

 of the United States has done all in its power to encour- 

 age the industry for years past, and beet sugar ma- 

 chinery has been allowed to enter free of duty ; besides 

 this, several States have offered special inducements. 

 In April, 1872, the Legislature of ^ew Jersey enacted 

 that for a period of ten years beet sugar factories 

 should be exempt from taxation. The most deserving 

 of all the States is Maine, by which several thousand 

 dollars are to be yearly given to any company that will 

 organize a beet sugar factory, and besides this, a pre- 

 mium for every pound of sugar produced ; in conse- 

 quence of which a factory was started at Portland in 

 1878. During their working period they manufactured 

 several thousand pounds of sugar. In 1879 this com- 

 pany contracted with the growers for lai-ge quantities 

 of beets and will utilize these the coming season. 

 These inducements are great, and we are convinced 

 that ere long that State will set the true example. We 

 are glad to add that during this season the Delaware 

 Beet Sugar Co. will also make its first attempt. 



The State Agricultural Society of California reported 

 in 1874 that the total production of beet sugar was — 



In 1870 500,000 lbs. 



" isn 800,000 '' 



" 1872 1,125,000 " 



" 1873 1,500,000 " 



