THE SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



latest and best practical experience. It is not denied that either of these sugar crops 

 will succeed better in certain localities and climates, upon certain soils, fertilizers, 

 etc, than under other conditions. The regions that offer the best natural and artifi- 

 cial advantages for the industry are to be carefully ascertained, but they will be found 

 within the the spaces indicated on our map. Chart No 1 shows the present location 

 of sugar factories. 



In Map No 2 we indicate the counties that have already started a movement to 

 secure a sugar factory. In some of these counties several towns are aspirants for the 

 factory. Many of these efforts are as yet unorganized and are being pushed with scant 

 knowledge of the requirements of the industry. But in many cases, the farmers have 

 abundantly demonstrated that they can furnish beets of necessary quantity and qual- 

 ity to supply a factory, local capitalists are interested, and it only needs favorable 

 legislation and good business management to speedily establish the industry in such 

 places. 



WILL THE UNITED STATES PRODUCE ITS OWN SUGAR? 



Yes, if congress gives our farmers a chance to do so. The following pages show 

 what has been done. The exhibit is the best possible proof of what will be done in 

 future if the industry is given a fair chance. 



In four years 1892 to 1895 the domestic production of cane sugar jumped from 

 165,000 to 324,000 tons. Of beet sugar, the domestic production was 255 tons in 1887, 

 5,359 tons in 1891, 20,000 tons each year 1893-4, 30,000 tons in 1895 and for the campaign 

 of 1896 makes the handsome total of 40,000 tons. Imports of beet sugar in the twelve 

 months of 1896 reached 523, 000 tons. 



The statement in the following pages of what has been accomplished with sugar 

 in the United States is the most complete and up-to-date yet published. Our effort 

 has been to make it so brief that all will read it, so clear that all will understand it, 

 so comprehensive that all will grasp the possibilities of the American sugar industry, 

 so reliable that this work may be a faithful aid to all at present or in future inter- 

 ested in this industry, whether as statesman, capitalist, manufacturer, farmer, laborer 

 or consumer. 



TIME NECESSARY THE RISK TO CAPITAL. 



Beet culture, however, cannot be learned in a single season. It is high farming, 

 intensive horticulture, like the market gardening near our great cities, which is the 

 result of fifty years of experience. Under the best management it takes from two to 

 four seasons for the farmers in any locality to learn how to grow beets to the best 

 advantage. Until this is done, the sugar factory is not assured of an abundant supply 

 of beets of proper quality. Meanwhile the immense investment is at risk from 

 $200,000 upward in each factory, and at best the factories can run only 100 or 150 days 

 during the year. Experience in this country has demonstrated that where the indus- 

 try has survived this first stage, it has in every case become well established, to the 

 satisfaction and profit of the farmers, laborers, railroads and capitalists interested in 

 the business. 



WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF THE AMERICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



Mainly European competition. Europe is now sending us nearly 100 times as 

 much beet sugar as she did 15 or 17 years ago. She has developed her beet-sugar 



