THE SORGHUM-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN KANSAS.* 



REPORT OP E. B. COWGILL. 



OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



Topelca, Eans., December 17, 1887. 



While all attempts to manufacture sugar from sorghum ia Kansas 

 had, prior to the present season, resulted in disappointment and finan- 

 cial disaster, confidence was not destroyed. The failures of the past, 

 and the obstacles to success, which many of large experience had de- 

 clared to be insurmountable, seemed only to nerve those whose confi- 

 dence in the final success of the industry remained unshaken, to renewed 

 and more determined effort. Congress had been induced to provide 

 means to aid in the further prosecution of experimental work, but cap- 

 .ital was required to enable Kansas to avail herself of the assistance 

 offered. Those having the greatest financial interest in the industry 

 were generally discouraged, and individuals having nothing at risk 

 could hardly be expected to invest in so unpromising an enterprise. 



Under these circumstances the legislature was appealed to, and on 

 March 5, 1887, "an act to encourage the manufacture of sugar" was 

 secured, which provides : First, that a bounty of two cents per pound 

 shall be paid upon all sugar manufactured in this State from beets, 

 sorghum, or other sugar-yielding canes or plants grown in Kansas. 

 Second, that no bounty shall be paid upon sugar containing less than 

 90 per cent, of crystallized sugar, the quantity and quality to be deter- 

 mined by the secretary of the State board of agriculture, or other per- 

 son appointed by him, the cost of such inspection to be borne by the 

 claimant. Third, the sum of money so to be paid shall not exceed in 

 any one year $15,000. 



The secretary of the board, recognizing his inability to perform the 

 duties imposed by the act above referred to, did, on the loth day of 

 August, 1887, by virtue of the authority in him vested, appoint and 

 commission Prof. E. B. Co wgill inspector, under the provisions of said 

 act, and authorized and empowered him to do and perform, all and sin- 

 gular, the duties as such inspector; also to make such observation and 



* This report lias been corrected by the author, several errors having been over- 

 looked in the advance sheets. 



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