* Cbe Conservative * 11
usually will have less weight with so-
called practical mcu than simple , com
mon sense reasoning.
The importance of clear expression
and convincing argument in the work
of a mechanical engineer will appear
forcibly under the sharp and not
always considerate criticism of super
iors , and opinions put in the form
of reports of investigation must
stand criticism if they are to become
precedents for practice. A reputation
for clear and correct reasoning and
painstaking search to the bottom of
things will be very helpful , and it will
pay to prepare in every possible way to
get such a name.
The late David L.Barnes once advised a
young engineer to acquire , if possible ,
the reputation for being a "hustler , " be
cause , when once so considered , the idea
would be permanent among his friends.
Rapidity , combined with accuracy and
thoroughness , should be sought for. It
is surprising to what an extent these
may be acquired by practicing intensity
of application.
There has been a tendency for techni
cally educated young men to seek work
which was congenial and most directly
in line with their studies , positions in
mechanical engineering being particu
larly attractive. This is illustrated by
the preponderance of applications for
mechanical engineering positions by a
large number of young men , graduates
of technical schools , who have recently
expressed their preferences. The rail
road mechanical engineer is a very im
portant and useful official , and his posi
tion is a highly desirable one , with in
tensely interesting duties. The demand
however , is for a small number of such
officers , while a large number of execu
tives are wanted. On the Pennsylvania
Railroad proper there are sixteen master
mechanics and only one mechanical
engineer. This is probably a fair pro
portion in the opportunities. To one
who has studied the situation , it appears
that there is a demand for men who
can direct departments and undertake
minor responsibilities as foremen and
general foremen.
Promotion of young men on several
railroads is very carefully managed , and
whenever possible , the higher position is
given in another snop.and not the one in
which the advancement has been earned
This is mentioned because it recognizes
a feature of human nature which shonk
be understood because of its bearing
upon the foundation work of young
graduates , and to this principle earues
attention is invited. "
SUGAR , SHEEP AND CATTLE.
During the closing days of October
last , it was the good fortune of the
writer , in company with J. Sterling
Morton of Nebraska Oity , and his son
Joy , of the house of Joy Morton & Oo.
Chicago , 111. , to visit the noted Nebraska
n dust rial and manufacturing plants
ocated at Ames , Dodge Co. , Nebraska
he "Standard Cattle Co. " and the
'Standard Beet Sugar Co. , " both under
he immediate supervision of that inde
fatigable , thoroughly trained , and suc
cessful manager , Richard M. Allen.
The "Cattle Company" is the older
and better established of the two enter
priser Of it I may , in a future paper ,
deal more in detail.
I purpose at present to write more of
the sugar plant , and beet sugar industry ,
as it is one in which I have ever held an
abiding faith , as to its adaptability to
Nebraska soil and climatic conditions ;
that it can and will become of immense
value to the state as an agricultural
factor.
I may be pardoned for stating in this
connection that in the year 1872,1 made
a direct importation of sugar beet seed ,
experimented , and induced others to ex
periment in the culture of beets , and
; hrough the chemical department of the
Nebraska State University , had ana
lyzed beet products , showing a high per
cent , of saccharine yield. From that
date until the first sugar beet factory
was erected at Grand Island , I both
wrote and spoke much to encourage the
introduction of this industry in Ne
braska.
Sugar Making.
The factory at Ames was erected by
individual enterprise , without subsidy ,
or aid other than provided by legislative
enactment for the sugar product. For
these reasons I confess to a feeling of
more anxiety for its success than for the
factories at Grand Island and Norfolk.
Under these impressions , in so far as I
was individually concerned , the visit
here indicated was made.
From personal observation , together
with a volume of carefully kept record
information as to this plant , all was
most gratifying. Every process and
operation from seed planting , until the
finest grade granulated sugar is turned
into sacks for commercial use , is of the
most systematic , latest improved order ,
plan and purpose. Every minutia is
considered and conducted from this
standpoint. The result is , the manager
knows at all times exactly the cost ,
value and profits of both , crude and
marketable products. Nothing goes to
waste ; every particle is utilized ; every
process is plain even to an untrained
eye. One can follow and observe in de
tail , beets as they come from the cart
wagon , or car , until the pure sugar is
reached in the packing room.
Cost.
Approximately $900,000 has thus far
been expended on this factory and aux
iliary buildings. Near or quite $50,000
more will be required to complete the
plant. Five hundred tons of beets are
worked up each day. Much of the
machinery already installed is designec
for double the present working capacity.
The aggregate area of beets contracted
for this year , for use at the Ames beet
sugar factory , is 4,200 acres. Of this
the company furnished 2000 acres ; ten
ants 625 acres , aud outside growers 1575
acres. From this acreage 50,000 tons of
beets were consumed. The minimum
sugar content or yield this year was 200
pounds of granulated sugar per ton of
beets. The climatic conditions of 1900 ,
for highest per cent , saccharine yield ,
were not propitious. Too much rainfall
when beets should have been maturing.
By Water.
During the year 1900 , three hundred
acres of the company's beets were en
tirely destroyed for sugar manufactur
ing purposes. To guard against this in
the future , extensive ditching has been
done in the valley lands , with best re
sults.
For the month of October , 1900 , fifty-
three families were employed in the beet
lelds under cultivation by the company.
Their monthly wages ranged from $70
to $254 , on average of $105.37 per family.
The farm pay roll for the year 1900 was
$129,000.
People Aided.
The class of people to whom beet
culture proves most helpful and bene
ficial are tenant farmers and farm labor
ers. It is possible for this class of
laborers to obtain from a small farm of
say 80 or 40 acres , better returns than
would be possible with other crops in
open market. From such size small
farm , there should be realized , under
average favorable conditions , $2,000 to
$2,400 a year.
Feeding.
The company utilizes to advantage the
offal or beet pumice from the factory.
It is fed to both cattle and sheep with
other ingredient ration factors. Thirty-
one thousand head of sheep are being
fed this winter.
The largest fatted-cattle sale from this
farm in one year was $540,000.
Dollars.
The total value of the two plants con
trolled and owned by the company
"Standard Cattle Company" and
"Standard Beet Sugar Company" is ,
in round numbers $2,000,000.
The beet sugar industry in the United
States is only in its infancy. There are
but thirty-three successfully operated
factories in the United States. Three
of these are located in Nebraska. There
should be many more. In the humble
opinion of the writer , there will be.
ROBT. W. FURNAS.
Brownville , Neb. , Dec. 8 , 1900.
A Sad Story. "My boy , " said the
great man , "I used to shine shoes my
self. " "Well , dey's a hull lot of de
guys what is led astray. " Philadelphia
North American.