Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-02-27
THAT BEET
SUGAR FACTORY.
II We Get One. the Farmers Must III
Once Become Interested.


A meeting of the Otero County Beet
Supar Association was held in tho aireet-
o,s, room of the State Bank Monday NJ
terpoou. Senator Swink presided, G. NJ
Hall being secretary. ,
Mr.. Swink spoke OF the work aireauy
done in tho way OF getting members 10
the association and OF the great amount
of work yet to be done. 1t was to be d
vear of education and experiment.
F,A. Hodge OF Ordway asked whh'
guarantees tho capitalists would ask De-
fore establishing a factory.
MA. Lunn SAID that what manutac-
turers wanted to know was that the raw
material would be furnished, and the
only guarantee wanted was tho practical
experience of large number OF farmers
showing that they could grow beets at n
profit at the price the factory could pay
Mr. Swink said that in 1892 ninety
eight farmers furnished beets for analy'
s,s md the results were the best shown
in the government reports. This proved
the preeminent adaptability OF our soil to
beet culture.
II was said that il farmer can raise
an acre OF beets and come out Just eveh'
he can raise field of or 10 acres at n
profit on account OF the economy OF Ia
Dor in larger tracts.
In n general discussion on the amount
of beets that could be grown per acre 1t
was said that the experience OF lSs2
showed that the tonnage per acre in the
Arkansas valley was higher than other
localities where beets were prohtably
grown.
Mr.. Lunn said that the farmers must
decide early what they would do as the
time for securing seed was short. he
suggested that number of places in the
county be designated where the farmers
could call, leave their subscriptions and
the money for the amount Of seed they
would need.
W. G. Steele suggested that such ac-
ton should be followed up by personal
canvas among the farmers.
W. E. Anderson thought that the prof.
itableness OF the sugar beets for feeding
stock should induce many to grow them.
He knew Of number who had deter
mined to do SO this year without refer
ence to the proposed factory.
During the meeting it WIS said that
beet seed was all imported from Germa-
ny where special care was taken in its
production, no beet being planted for
seed that did not come up to high
standard OF richness in sugar-making ell.
ements.
Mr.. Swink said that among the best
analyses that the government had made
wore from beets grown by him from seed
grown by bimself. Which would indi-
cate that the growing of beet seed may
become one OF the Rocky Ford country's
profitable speoialt,es.
oae speaker predicted that il the farm
era pt tho county generally would grow
tho experimental patches this season u
boom In tho dairy interests would result,
90 great would be the increase in the
milk product from the feeding OF beets.
u. A. Hodge OF Ordway showed deep
interest In the matter and said his Sec
ton could he depended on to do their
full share ID producing beets for the fac
tory.
By resolution the several vice presi-
dents were appointed to make an active
canvas in their respective neighborhoods
for membership and seed orders and re-
port to the secretary by March 1st in or
der that the seed may be ordered from
the importer.
On motion OF F. A. Hodge it was Or
dored that the publication be secured so
for us possible in all the county papers
Of notice urging everyone interested in
the beet sugar industry to hand in their
membership and say the amount OF seed
they will require. Memberships will be
received by the following persons:
ID. B. Lee, Fowler.
J. N. Beatty & Co., Catlin.
+. A. Hodge, Ordway.
John Auckland, Olney.
G. NJ. Hall, Rocky Ford.
W. G. Steele, Rocky Ford.
J. L. Gauger, La Junta.
Fred johnson, Holbrook.
Special emphasis was placed on the
importance OF handing in orders at once
MS the time is short in which to procure
seed.
Mr. Lunn hoped to secure visit to tho
valley from Thoe. r. Cutler, manager
of the successful Utah Beet Sugar Co.
Mr.. Cuttler's experience would be OF
special value to the farmers of the Rocky
Ford country as beets were grown in
Utah under very nearly the same condi-
tions as here. The beets for Mr.. Cutt-
ler's factory for 1895 were grown on
$500 acres distributed among some 75O
different growers, an average OF less than
five acres each. Tho price paid was
81 % per ton for all beets delivered ac-
cording to contract, testing II per cent
sugar with coefticient purity OF 80. The
yield was 3S,l0S tons from which 1885,
642 pounds OF finished granulated sugar
was made. Contracts for the next years
crop were made at the close OF tho cam
paign in the short space of one week,
any solicitation whatever, other
tbnp tho announcement tl,k tl,o