The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-22
A SUGAR BEET MEETING.
REPREsEyTArIyE CONVENTION OF
PIEDMOST AND TIDEWATER.
The Culture of . his Interesting and Mon
ey-making Product Set Forth In In
structivc Addresses.

FREDERICKSBURG VA, Jan. a.
Speciai.-The Beet Sugar Convention OF
Piedmont and Tidewater Virginia, which
assembled here today. was a represen-
tative body OF the most progressive farm
crs of those sections T. y. Brent, presi-
dent CT the Business Mems Association,
under whose auspices the convention is
held. called the body TO order and de-
lvered an address Of welcome. Major o.
II. Hine. OF Fairfax, was elected presi-
dent; $. q. Howison. OF spotsylvania
secretary. and vice-presidents from each
county having delegates present.
SPEAKERS.
Hon. J. s. Potter of this city. who has
had an extensive consular experience as
the United States representative TO Wur-
tcrnburg. Germany. and also 10 Prussia.
and is we'll versed on the subject OF beet
culture made highly instructive address
on the method OF cultivation OF the sugar
beet in those countries.
Major O. T.. Hine followed Mr.. Pot
ter in practical talk. lie said nothing
under IL per cent. would warrant cult
walton.
STATE BOARD EXPERIMENTS.
In thirty of the Virginia counties from
which bects had been received and ana
lyzed under the auspices of the State
Board OF Agriculture the percentage was
above IL per cent and around Fredericks-
burg the ANALYSIS made showed per-
ccntage of from IL 10 IA per cent.
The board had determined To continue
experiments another year. The cultiva-
tion OF sugar beets in Virginia would save
the people S5O00,000 which now annually
goes out of II.
Mr.. c. r. SAVIOR then discussed the
experiments made by the United States
Department of Agriculture. which had
proved eminently satisfactory. I'm this
country. seven or eight factories were in
operation, one in New York. two in the
Mississippi Valley, one I'm Utah and seve-
raj on the Pacific slope. with daily capaci-
ties of from 800 to 5000 tons
one factory on the Pacific slope had
been in operation for thirty years.
OUR SOIL SUITABLE.
The sugar beet is a national issue. II
hobs I'D everywhere Twenty-Five States
went into the experiment last year. This
country had many natural advantages
over Europe such as natural fertility of
soil. better bectS. ingenuity of our people.
better machinery and all are living in the
market we propose 20 supply. The beet
industry here would increase our agri-
cultural resources. bring about high
cultivation Of the soil. become the me-
dunn Of giving employment directly and
indirectly To a large number OF people.
II would require an investment Of 5000
10000 in this industry 10 produce the
sugar needed in this country.
ASSOCIATION FORMED.
permanent organization 10 be known
as the Beet Sugar Association of Fred
ericksburg was effected and a permanent
Brent. T. +. Morrison. s. c. Peyton.
Alex Pratt. A. G. Willis, NJ. b. Rowe,
and John Lefoe appointed. The organiza-
ton as 1t was effected this morning was
made permanent and with the view of
further carrying out the object in view.
mot on 10 endorse the Flood bill pro-
voked discussion In which Senator w. A.
Little. A. G.. Willis. John Chandler. II.
N Barber. Hon. Thomas Whitehead and
others participated Finally a motion
endorsing the employment of convict la
Dor in beet sugar production
under such restrictions by the Legislature
rs will not bring IL i'm competition with
free labor was adopted.
INSPIRING ADDRESS.
Colonel Whitehead made an inspiring
address which was well received, claim
ing that the soil around Fredericksburg
was peculiarly adopted to the cultivation
of the sugar beet.
Mr. J.. J. Hyslop. a truck farmer, of
Accomac. warmly advocated the cultiva-
ton of sugar baets by our farmers and
was followed by Mr.. O. X. LaphaIn in
some practical suggestions as 10 the plant
ing Of beet seed. lie said in this lati-
tude planting should begin about the
middle of February and continue at in
tervals Of ten days until the middle of
April The convention then adjourned.
In compliance with an invitation from
Rev. DR.. A. Z. Saunders. many of the del
cgates remained and attended a charming
musical entertainment at the Fredericks-
burg College chapel tonight at 1880
o'clock.