Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-11
no GROW SUGAR BEET
MEETING AT CHESTER no PRO-
NOTE THIS INDUSTRY.
PERMANENT ASSOCIATION FORMED.
Addrcsscs Made by Colonel white
head, Colonel Buford, Mr.. jackson,
and Others, and Great Interest
Manifestcd--Address to Farmers.


were taken with a hearty will looking
to the introduction OF sugar-beet culture
in their midst. permanent organiza-
ton was effected and the meeting, which
continued through the day, did not close
before the farmers present had better
understanding OF their needs and their
dependence on each other for concerted
and united action.
The meeting was called to order In
the Chester Hotel at 1890 o'clock In the
morning. and Mr.. w. II. Rowland. of the
Chesterfield Chronicle, stated the object
for which the agriculturists had as
sembled. Those present were Colonel
Thomas Whitehead, Commissioner OF
Agriculture; Messrs. w. IL. Rowland
James Bellwood. Richard Eppes, NJ. d.
Coaiter. ]. S. Taylor, Kirk Grim, DR..
]. p. Gillian; John F. jackson. Of the
Southern Planter, Richmond; E. A.
Swineford. j. T. Dunn, j. L. Snead,
BRYAN Barney, r. W. WinfTee, and
Reys. r. b. Scott and c. N. Friend, OF
the Methodist Church, and number Oh
others.
At the suggestion Of Mr.. Rowland, Mr..
Bellwood was made temporary CHAIRMAN.
and Mr.. Eppes, secretary. Rev. Mr.. scott
extended a most cordial greeting to the
gathering of farmers, and welcomed
them TO the hospitalities Of the village.
Rev. Mr.. Friend opened the exercises
with a fervent prayer for the guidance
of the All-Wise one on the deliberations
OF the body.
Mr.. John f. Jackson, editor of the
xuN
Southern Planter, of Richmond, was nrst
introduced. Mr.. Bellwood was most
happy In the remarks with which ne pre-
sented Mr.. Jackson. The gentleman, he
said. was known to them all, personally,
and as they well knew, he was well
informed on everything pertaining 10
farming work. He had often gone INTO
Mr.. Jackson's office In Richmond WIN
questions which he had devised pur-
nosely TO corner him, but that seemed
impossible He knew the farmers needs
and could always suggest way to sat
isfy those needs.
"Here we are" Mr.. Jackson began,
Gin this country. sending out one hun
dred million dollars per year for beet
sugar to foreign countries, when those
very countries are less adapted TO beet
raising than our own country" sugar
he said. is sunshine concentrated. we
get more sunshine than many OF the
lands which have made beet raising
success. and why can't our people reap
some of the benefits from this product!
Then. when the Editor had thus fairiy
presented the proposition to the farm
ers gathered there, he strongly urged
them to accept it. Others had maze
success of II in less favored climates
than ours, and enjoyed good profit from
II: why could not the farmers in TINS
section enjoy even a greater pehehI'
But II men who have the money were
willing to put in plant Of this kind they
must be assured that the surrounding
PRODUCERS would give them sufficient
subply to operate during the entire year.
The producers must first ask themselves
IL the product would pay. and when con-
WINGED that such was the case, 10 plhu
themselves to give a plant representing
a capital of 100000 TO 100000 sufiicient
raw material for the twelve months OF
the year. Mr.. Jackson urged, however,
that IL was not wise to be too enthusiast
tic in entering into this pledge. before
weighing all questions Of cost and soil
and labor in raising the beet.
MUST HAVE GOOD LANDS.
It was a matter of business. Few
lands in this section would produce more
than ten tons of beets on the average,
which will bring about $3.50 per ton. He
said he did not want to discourage the
enterprise, but he would again urge them
not to be too sanguine. The first thing
was to get the land In condition to pro-
duce anything which was put into 1t.
The statistics of the United States es-
timated that Virginia produced only
about ten bushels of wheat per acre on
the average and fifteen bushels Of corn.
1t was certainly problematic while this
was the condition of the land, whether
beets could be raised to pay at 81 per
ton. The land has to be prepared for
this product and In the mean time the
farmer. to live, must have an immedi-
ate market for his products and stable
price. But, in favor of the beet, Mr.. Jack
son said that when the 81 per ton was
received, the whole profit was not told.
The pulp, which was Of no use TO the
manufacturers, was a most excellent feed
for stock. 1t could be put away under
ground and be Kept the entire winter.
Still, to be frank, he said. he feared 1t
would be impossible to get the enthusiasm
of the Virginia farmers sufficiently
aroused to take this work up and go
into it with the determination To make
money and make the enterprise a success.
In closing, Mr.. Jackson make this propo-
sitlon: Let each farmer of the section
put In one acre or five acres. the next
year, and watch and weigh the yield.
A number Of questions were asked Mr..
Jackson about the production of the beet,
which he answered most satisfactorily.
Mr.. Jackson advocated the enterprise,
but argued the Irishman's maxim, 'Be
sure you are right, and then go ahead"
PAY BETTER THAN CORN.
Mr.. Bellwood followed Mr.. Jackson in
an enthusiastic and excellent little
speech. He said he expected cautious
speech from Mr. Jackson; he was an
Englishman, and caution was charac-
teristic of his nation. But he was not
discouraged; even gratifed and aroused
TO greater interest than ever before. The
attendance of producers was not large,
but they were thinking and representa-
tive men, and were greatly awakened to
this matter. Mr. Jackson had gone into
the minutest costs of raising the beet.
Now, he said, Virginia land produced
fifteen bushels of corn per acre, and the
farmer got about 35 cents per bushel for
it, The yield. then, is about 50 per acre.
Now IL we were to take Into considera-
ton the ticks we had to make and the
least cost Of cents and labor. in the name
of all the stars and planets, where would
we be? We would starve at the thought.
A telegram was read at this point from
Colonel A. s. Buford, president of the
State Board of Agriculture, announcing
that he would come to Chester on the
2d5 train and address the meeting. Be
fore introducing Colonel Whitehead for
10-minutes' talk. Mr.. Bellwood an
nounced that the good ladies of Chester
had prepared dinner for their guests.