Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-28
MEETING OF THE FARMERS.
Considering the Question of Sugar-beet
Culture-Remarks of EKr. o. X.
Lapham.

| OOnBIOorfn4 the S2IPstloE oil Susar-c0e
Culture-Remarks of hKr. o. X.
Lapham.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED TO AsCERTAIr
FREIGHT-RATEs AND HOW MANY ACRES CAN
BE SECURED FOR BEET-CULTURE.
A meeting of the Farmers was held in The
Court>house at IL O'Clock last Monday, to con-
slider the proposition OF Mr.. o. K. Lapham
who agreed to establish sugar-beet factory in
this place, and to furnish the farmers sugar.
beet seed at cost. If they would guarantee the
planting of a sufficient number of acres In
beets to justify his doing so.
| On motion of Mr.. John H. Crawford. COL A.
A. sproul was elected to preside. and. on mo-
| ton of Mr.. j. W. Churchman. A. c. Gordon.
| Esq. was elected Secretary.
The chairman announced that the meeting
was organized any ready for business. On mo-
| tion of j. W. Churchman, ESQ.,, Mr.. Q. X. Lap
| ham was Invited to address the meeting on
| the subject of beet-culture and the objects for
which the meeting had been called. Mr.. Lap
| ham appeared, and, in response to that invita-
| ton, delivered an interesting and Instructive
and practical address in modest and COLO
quail style.
He said that he had previously made known
| his views on the subject of beet-culture and
| his proposition to establish beet sugar fac
| tory here in talk to the Farmers Alliance
and through the papers OF the city. He said 1t
was an industry of recent origin. 1t originated
in Europe probably 25 years ago, but there was
no beet-sugar factory in this country till about
years ago when one was established In Cali
fornia and that there had been none East Of
the Rocky mountains till about one year as o,
and that there are at this time but five in the
ncl,nx hof
the culture of sugar beets is not only profitable
to the farmer. but that 1t also improves his
land. His experiment in its culture had been
satisfactory. The sucrose or sugar in the beets
had been less this year. than the year before.
but this was not due to any local cause, for he
learned by correspondence that such was the
case elsewhere He believed that our eli
and the soil of this county were well adapted
for the culture of sugar-beets. 1t was the only
crop he made which was profitable this year.
He fed them to his stock, for which they are
good food, and add to the yield OF rich milk
from the cows.
He had made inquiry ofsome of the farmers
as to the cost of raising bushel of wheat. Some
told him it was 81 per bushel, and some S1.10
and SIPS, according to the fertility of the land.
He said that on land that would produce 20
bushels of wheat which. al 81 per bushel. would
yield $40 per acre, would produce from go tons
of beets which, at "a per ton, would yield $l2O
per acre-6 times as much. and he believed 1t
would be 10 times as profitable. If cultivated
thoroughly and with proper care. The cost
per acre varies from SIS to s30-including thor
ough ploughing, fertilizers. &C. If $50. 1t would
still leave 500 profit per acre, on the basis OF a
yield of sl20 per acre.
Then you get back the pulp which is worth
q hnn a
leaves are also valuable. say 50 for Is tons and
you get $50 there. These estimates are for an
acre of the best quality; but for ordinary land
say it is half that much, and yet 1t will:os prof.
table.
In the cultivation of the sugar-beets, the
land should be of rich. mellow soil, and
ploughed deep so that the beets can grow |
downward. And they should have the sun |
light, for 1t is that which makes the sugar
Don't raise large beets-they are almost worth |
less and 1t won't pay to raise them, because |
they havs but small per cent of sucrose.
They should be planted close together. Where
aver sugar-beet factories have been establish
I'd, the lands have been enhanced in value.
Dur farmers should diversity their crops, and
40 other promises such profit as that of beets'
But there should be reduction in the rates
Of freight, otherwise 1t would not be wise to |
establish a sugar-fsctory here, and he would
be unwilling to do SO. He said we were In the |
sugar beet belt and that he thought our soil
and climate were specially adapted to Its prof |
liable culture. He mentioned the induce |
ments offered him to establish factory at
other places to show that the minds of the peo- |
Pile in other parts Of the country are awake to |
it's importance and desirability.
When concluding. he said that he would an