Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1895-06-21
The Starch Industry.

of Boston. The firm makes potato
starch specially, and handles seven.
eights of all the potato starch made in
the country. They say in substance:
The average price of potato starch, for
the last three years, has been 81 cents
delivered at the cotton mills. They
note that the state bounty of 1c per
pound has been extended for five years
and are not aware of another state
which pays bounty, and it seems
strange to them that the farmers do not
take advantage of this great opportuni-
ty. With this bounty North Dakota can
really compete with Germany. They
deem it better that factories should be
built by local capital as farmers could
then be forced to carry out their con-
tracts. Eastern capital is wary.
The firm built the Hankinson starch
factory which has not been great cue.
cess owing wholly to the failure of
farmers to supply potatoes according to
contract. Not over 13, 900 bushels have
received in any one year at Hankinson
and the firm declines to invest any
more money in other factories until u
better and safer arrangement for the
supply of potatoes is made.
1t is proposed to organize a stock
company here and get farmers inter.
ested personally. so that they can share
the profits and have All lnducement to
raise potatoes. The large acreage of
potatoes this year will be ample TO run
during the season and there is plenty
of time this summer to build a factory.
The committee of business men inter.
esting themselves in the project hope
to accomplish something yet, and Mr..
Klaus is in further correspondence re-
garding the matter.
The above article has been going tho
rounds of the state press generally, the
past few weeks, and which we reclip
from the Goose River Farmer forms an
interesting topic to our farmers in
North Dakota. The editor of The Re-
publican has correspondent extensively
with Messrs. Eustis 4 Aldrich of Boston.
relative to potato starch factories in
both states-Minnesota and North Da-
kota, and has been familiar with the
workings of factories in the former
state. There is but one successful way
to operate the factories, and that is by
the farmers alone, or in unison with
business men of their trading point CO.
operating and agreeing to raise SO many
acres of tubers. about what could he
handled by tho factory in case the prices
compelled all to be made into starch.
Then If prices warranted the selling ON
the general market through the factory
Office instead of making starch. This
plan assures the members of the com.
pany the highest price obtainable and
all the profit that can he made out of
the crop under all conditions.
Private parties putting in factories
usually result disastrously in the end,
for they put the factory price low
enough to enable them to earn a fair
rate of interest figuring invariably con-
tracts in advance for so many acres at
such price per bushel. They care but
little for the farmers interest and when
the high price comes make enough to
TO throw the factory to the winds.
We advise farmers in any and all
communities, whether off or on rail.
road. to get together and build cooper.
alive factories, aud instead of summer.
following their land or raising so much
wheat raise potatoes and build up the
land. A factory costs $40, 900 to $1,000
will handle the product of 1900 acres
and will turn out starch 10 the value of
CSC. 600; every cent of which will be left
in the neighborhood. II factory is
remote from a railroad starch would
have 10 be turned out more generally
than If located at a station for tubers
could not be hauled so far to be shipped
in case the price warranted at the
stations
Raising potatoes without a factory at
hand will only result in loss and dis
couragement in the end for the same
care will be necessary with the crops
every year, while some years a good
price will be obtained-others will not
warrant digging. thus bringing the
average to less than If a factory was
built and supplied at their price every
year.-Portland Republican.
c. 7. Whldden and family left
Wednesday morning for Nova Scntia
ON a visit. C. T. will retnrn in q fou