Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-02

cultural possibilities is of importance 10
our people.
In letter to James A. Davis IN
dustrial commissioner of the company
Mr.. Morton says on the subject:
"Referrlng to our talk relative to the
Arkansas valley and the importance OF
our doing everything we can consistent
ly to assist IN its further development:
"The progress of this section OF the
country the last few years has oeen
very gratifying, and yet. IN my oPinlon'
it has barely commenced to march 10
where it will ultimately halt, either IN
Industrial development or population.
"In connection with this valley and
it's future the following suggestions are
made:
"First-Everything possible should
be done to still further encourage the
sheep feeding industry. The banks IN
the valley are, l am told, glad to lend
money at reasonable rates to parties
owning alfalfa and other feed. who wish
to buy sheep. If the sheep are
cautiously bought. good profit can be
made in this branch of the business.
"New Mexico and Arizona can supply
the sheep, and the Kansas City market
demands them after they are fattened.
"Second - The melon production
should be pushed. Nowhere in the
United States can melons be raised
more successfully, and nowhere in the
country have the melons raised estab-
lished such reputation as from Rocky
Ford and other points in the valley.
For flavor and general superiority, these
melons cannot be beaten, and the de-
mande for them will more than keep
pace with the supply.
"Third - More vegetables of all
kinds should be raised in the valley.
THIS is especially true of potatoes,
onions and celery.
"Texas takes hundreds of carloads of
potatoes every year, and there is no
reason why, if it is intelligently pursued,
the Arkansas valley should not supply
most of them.
sit is said that the town of Kalama-
zoo, Mich, ships annually over I
million dollars worth of celery. The
Arkansas valley, in my opinion. can
produce better article than Michigan
does, and there is every reason why
the cultivation of this plant should be
prosecuted in the most vigorous way
by the inhabitants of the valley.
ssFourth- The cultivation of the
sugar beet should be carefully and in
telllgently experimental with. There
is no doubt IN my mind that the people
of the United States are going to keep
at home the 100 million dollars that
we are now annually remitting to foreign
countries for our sugar.
1--WE are bound to raise our own
sugar, and will be disappointed if il
time we do not export large quantities
Of sugar.
"Where is a better place to develop
tkls industry than the Arkansas valley
There may be plenty of other place:
along our line where sugar beets can bs
raised with as much profit, but doubt
If there is any place which will surpas:
this particular valley. The peopls
should be induced to experiment il
raising these beets. II they have nc
seed. the Agricultural department a
Washington will be glad to furnish i
free on application.
''I am sanguine that in the course o
few years one will see sugar factories
scattered along the Arkansas valley a.
frequently as you now see them il
Germany and France.
"Sugar beets ought to average ths
grower 500 per acre. This Is a fin,
crop, and once determined a success il
the valley. there is no question abou
securing factories.
''Bee culture also promises to be
very remunerative pursuit in the valley
and it should not be forgotten that tn
export demand for goed hfeney is Al
mest without limit.
hsfl am well aware that the people G
the valley are alive to their own iF
terests. but want to impress on yo
the Importance of these suggestions. -