What is significant here is that the article indicates the strong presence of Mexican workers, who had apparently already replaced all the Japanese, and non-Hispanic whites in the fields. “In every field there may be seen bands of thinners, mostly Mexicans, and the farmer himself, with horse ahd cultivator, followed by bands of helpers with hoes,…”
They also note that unlike other factories, the Alamitos plant had not yet missed a sugar run
MAY 1900 — Sugar Beet Magazine, p11
LOS ALAMITOS, CAL.
Editor Beet Sugar Gazette:—During the last four weeks 2.09 inches of rain has fallen in this locality, being the heaviest recorded precipitation at this season of the year since 1883. The total for the season is now 8.23. Though below the normal average of rainfall, had this aggregate been well distributed during the winter months the beet crop would have equaled, if not exceeded, any previous crop, but during two months of seeding time, from January 5 to March 4, there was no recorded rainfall. As a consequence the acreage planted is greatly reduced. Notwithstanding this, it is hoped that if cool and foggy weather prevails, the tonnage may equal, if not exceed, that of 1897, when six million pounds of sugar were produced by the Los Alamitos sugar factory.
The farmers of the Los Cerritos and Los Alamitos ranches, who had almost abandoned hope, together with their beet fields, have put every available man into the work of cultivation. In every field there may be seen bands of thinners, mostly Mexicans, and the farmer himself, with horse ahd cultivator, followed by bands of helpers with hoes, giving the long rows of beets a thorough cultivation; as there has been very little wind, the fields show a fine even stand, except in spots here and there where the seed bed was too dry at the time of planting. Now, however, since the rains even these spots show the vitality of the seed and a second thinning will be required. The estimate of tonnage by the farmers is from ten to twenty tons to the acre.
The lands of these ranches, being largely sub-irrigated and within about four miles of the seacoast, receiving the benefit of considerable foggy weather, it has been demonstrated during the last three years of drouth, that a crop of beets may be raised each and every year, although the precipitation may fall far below the normal. Thus while other factories have now and then missed a run, this factory has made a run each year. The secret is thorough cultivation and work kept up to date, so as to take advantage of the rains when they do come; thus has it been proved that an excess of moisture is1 not a necessity to the crop.
Considerable planting has been done since the rains of the first of the month. Under the warm and moist conditions prevailing the beets have come up in from four to six days, and, no doubt, some of the later plantings may be ready for delivery to the factory before some of the earlier beets, which have made a much slower growth.
The estimate of acreage upon which a good stand is now reasonably assured, as given by J. L. Elam, field superintendent, is 2,66o acres, at this date. The weather continues foggy and warm, with little wind.
May 19, 1900. K. L.
May 23, 1900. X.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Mr. R. C. Laurence, formerly head chemist of the Los Alamitos. Cal., beet sugar factory, has been promoted to the position of superintendent.
The Los Alamitos Sugar Factory exhibits its products at the the 1900 Paris World’s Exhibition.
Source:
United States Congressional serial set, Issue 4057, p322. Los Alamitos Beet Sugar Company: Beet Sugar and beet products.
LATE SEPTEMBER – Beet Sugar Gazette, p17
LOS ALAMITOS, CAL.
The Los Alamitos sugar factory finished with beets about September 22, after a successful run of almost a month. The factory is now busy running syrup with a good prospect ahead of several weeks’ work before this is finished. The run. so far this season, has been very successful, the ranchers receiving good prices. The percentage of saccharine matter in the beets raised on damp lands ran very high.—Los Angeles Times.
LOS ALAMITOS, CAL.
Editor Beet Sugar Gazette:—On the Los Cerritos Ranch water development still goes on. Contractor J. B. Proctor being engaged in drilling another 12-inch well on the north end of the ranch. The lake near Bixby Station, which has an available storage capacity of over sixty-five million gallons, is now full to overflowing. This will serve from 2.500 to 3.500 acres of good beet, barley and alfalfa lands.
The farmers on the Los Alamitos and Los Cerritos Ranches are greatly encouraged by the liberal terms in the new contract for 1901. As a consequence the rental of beet land has proceeded beyond expectations, and farmers are busy preparing the land for the crop. The Los Cerritos large dairy herd is now thriving on beet pulp at the factory yards.
Superintendent G. S. Dyer has severed his connection with the factory to take effect next month. Mr. H. C. Lawrence, who has been at the head of the chemical department since 1897, is in the line” of promotion for the place.