Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-01-30
BEET SUGAR FACTORY.
Large Meeting in That Interest at
Rocky Ford.
Organization Effected Embracing the
Entire Valley.

Entlre Naiieys
Odd Fellows Hall was crowded Satnr-
bay afternoon with farmers and others
interested In the proposed beet sugar
factory. All portions OF the valley from
Pueblo to Lamar were represented ana
the deepest interest was manifested by
ALL Senator Swink presided and the
meeting was addressed by Hon. NJ. a.
Lunn of Omaha. He gave history OF
the inception aud growth OF the beet
sugar industry in Europe and the United
States and more especially its develop
mont in Nebraska. The amount OF beet
sugar manufactured in the world was
shown to be greater than that OF cane
sugar. The growth and prosperity OF
the various factories indicated the per-
manency and value Of the business.
The natural conditions in America, he
said, are much superior to those in Eu-
rope where the business has been most
extensive. The tests made az beets
grown in the Rocky Ford country prove
that beets raised here have Il higher per-
centage Of sugar than those grown else
where on the globe The coal, limo and
coke which are needed by sugar facto-
~ can be easily supplied, and the only
other condition TO insure u factory is the
certainty of getting the raw material to
keep the factory running. II farmers
can grow beets at 81 per ton and make
as much or more meney than by growing
other crops, the factory should be IN es.
tablished fact. But il tho beets can not
- L.. I~.y n
which the plant was erected will be q
failure and loss to the investors. No
bonus is asked but an assurance that suf-
ficient raw material will be furnished to
keep the plant busy. Tho al-important
point is for the farmers of tho valley to
satisfy themselves by actual trial that
they can profitably grow beets at 81 per
ten. 1t ia desirable that 800 farmers
each plant IN acre during the coming
season and give the crop such careful,
systematic attention that they will know
whether or not they can make profit nt
the business. Should the factory be es-
tablished the planting OF 5000 acres will
be required to supply the 800 tons per
day which will be wanted
Mr.. Lunn's answer to sundry ques-
tions brought out the following points:
a cafe average per aero is 10 tons.
The best seed costs 90 cents per pound
but that which is not reliable can be had
for much less. In Utah the average
amount used per acre is 15 pounds.
Hon. ]. II. Crowley raised the point
that some seed was three times the size
OF others and that much less weight of
the smaller seed would;be required. Mr..
Lunn suggested that in planting the cx-
perimental acre farmers divide it into
several plots and test with varying
amounts Of seed.
1t was once thought by the factories
that beets of over three pounds in weight
were not desirable, but trial has proved
that larger beets are equally 80 product
i've Of sugar.
Mr.. Lunn was unable to definitely
answer Col. Lockhnres query as to the
value OF seepuge uni alkali land for su-
gar beet culture.
A, L. Kellogg said that at beet sugar
convention in Denver sugar manufacture
ers from Utah said that boets grown on
alkali lands were as good an those grown
elsewhere, and experiments nt Fort Col
Inns showed no difference in quality.
A gentleman who was at one beet ST.
gar convention in Denver tells the Enter
prise that one manufacturer said that
while the alkali grown beets made MS
much sugar as others yet it was OF a
greatly inferior quality, so much 80 us
to render it unsuitable.
1t will be almost impossible for farm
ers TO supply beets faster than tho facto.
ry can handle them as silos will be pro.
yided for their reception until they car
be worked mp.
Col. Loclihart and c. W. Fenlason
were appointed to make registry Of oil
| farmers present.
Chairman Swink suggested that rs the
present organization was largely IN
Otero county matter it should be super.
seeded by new organization embracing
the entire valley. The suggested action
was taken and the following officers
elected:
An executive board composed of A. E.
Bent of Prowers, ]. ]. Cooper OF Bent, G.
W. Swink of Otero, H. R. Holbrook OF
Pueblo, w. B. FELTON, OF Fremont
These gentlemen nre presidents of their
respective county organizations. The
executive board will organize by the
elecsion OF a president, vice president
and secretary.
The county organization for Otero
county was perfected by the election OF
the following officers:
President, G. W. Swink, Rocky Ford.
Vice-President, A. J. Grom, La Junta.
-" W. E. Anderson, Ford.
" J. W. Beatty, Manzanola.
" J. A. Lockhart, Fowler.
John Auckland, Olney.
-" +. 4. Hodge, Ordway.
Secretary, G. NJ. Hall, Rocky Ford.
Asst. Sec, G. II. Winchell, Rocky Ford.
Treasurer, j. L. Godding, Rocky Ford.
Executive committee: Fred johnson,
La Junta; W. G. Steele and J. II. Crow
ley, Rocky Ford.
The membership fee to the county or
ganization shall be 81, which shall epti-
tie member to seed nt cost price and one
years subscription to the Beet Sugar
Enterprise, edited by M. A. IIunn, con-
tanning instructions as to culture of beets
and blanks for making reports. Each
member OF the Association growing a
trial patch of beets shall keep O careful
record of time of planting, methods, cost,
etc, and report to the county secretary.
Artichokes for Hogs.