8 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, 
ate, 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 1895and 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 yearsago. She has developed her beet-sugar 
