Henry B. Parsons

“ Obviously, if it is desirable to produce our own sugar, the tropical sugar-cane can not be regarded as the chief source of supply, and we must place our dependence upon some plant better adapted to our varied soils and limited rainfall.
The sugar-beet has much to commend it; it is successfully raised in France, Germany, and Austria, and furnishes, at the present time, thirty per cent of the sugar consumed by civilized nations. ”

“ At present, three eighths of the sugar used by civilized nations is produced by the sugar-beet. In like manner, the production of sugar from sorghum may not attain great proportions until some years have passed, but the plant is richer in sugar and is much more easily cultivated and handled than is the sugar-beet. The production of sorghum-sugar at a profit is less problematical than was the successful manufacture of beet-sugar when Napoleon issued the decree which laid the foundations of the beet-sugar industry in France. ”

“ The chemical changes occurring in the plant during its development have been recorded with an exactness suited to delight the student of vegetable physiology, while the practical sugar-maker need not look in vain for the latest information as to machinery and manufacturing processes. Farmers wishing to grow sorghum are told what varieties are most likely to succeed in Northern and what other varieties in Southern latitudes, and the best methods of planting, fertilizing, and securing the crop are carefully described. ”

“ In view of the fact that the special committee of the National Academy has reported as its opinion, based on facts thus far presented, that the production of sugar from sorghum is likely to prove a commercial success, this country can well afford to expend liberal amounts of money for a continuation of these investigations, and for a practical demonstration of the cost of manufacturing sugar on the large scale. ”

“ It is claimed, by those who have given this sugar problem a very considerable amount of study, that in the better varieties of sorghum many or all of the above conditions are satisfied, and that, with intelligent culture and manufacturing methods, this country may not only produce all its own sugar, but may do its share toward supplying the ever-increasing demand abroad. ”

“ The fairness and ability of the committee being unquestioned, it is germane, in this inquiry, to consider what their scrutiny of Dr. Collier's work has revealed as to the chances that sorghum may yet prove a valuable source of sugar. The following is taken from their report:
The spirit of scientific investigation which has led the Department of Agriculture through its chemical and agronomic researches to results of such importance toward developing a new industry of national value has been liberally fostered by the General Government, and to some extent also by certain of the States. ”

“ All who are accustomed to manufacturing operations are aware that, notwithstanding the apparent simplicity of any new problem, the development of a practical working process involves a large amount of patient investigation, frequent experiments, and a not inconsiderable number of partial or seeming failures before complete success can be attained. ”

“ That the demand for sugar is increasing much more rapidly than our population, is shown by the increased consumption per capita. The value of the sugar used in 1882 was fully one sixth greater than the amount in 1881. In 1790 to 1799 the average annual consumption of sugar per person was 9·05 pounds, while in 1882 the amount was not far from fifty-five pounds.
In order to obtain the sugar that we need, we find it necessary to buy of nearly every tropical and sub-tropical country. By far the greatest amount (forty per cent) comes from Cuba. ”

“ It will be seen that there remains only about twelve per cent for home production. This is strictly true, for, to quote a recent authority, "From the statistics it appears that, during the past twenty years, the United States have produced less than thirteen per cent of their sugar-supply, and little more than twenty-one per cent of the molasses consumed." ”

“ The value of sirup averaged from each acre $42.65, without counting the product of seed. The yield averaged 9·3 tons of cane per acre.
For the first years of a new industry such returns can not be considered other than decidedly promising. ”