The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-26
GIVES hin A POINTER
Coburn Roasts Washington
Scientist" for His ignorance
OnKANS AS SUGAR BETS
Shows How Kansas Broke All
Records on One Trial.

Topeka. Kans., Feb. 25.-- Last night
Secretary Coburn in an interview took
another Of his handsome side swipes at
one Of the Washington agricultural
scientists" Professor Wiley, who in a
statement ridicuIed the profitable growth
Of sugar beets in Kansas. Secretary
Coburn says:
II note, by the story sent 10 the press
from Washington, that Chief Chemist
Wiley, OF the department of Agriculture,
repeatedly declares Kansas IS not 10 be
considered seriously in the development
of the beet-sugar industry. and that fos
this reason he cruelty refuses the Kansas
congressman and senators any portion
Of the free sugar-beet being handed out
TO others.
Il am not a chemist. beet-gTcwer, nor
a sugar-beet crank; don't live in Wash
ington and I don't know whether Kan
sas will or not De seriously considered"
there, but a very good way to incite Kan
sas TO dc some unusual or impossible"
thing is 70 have the Washington authori-
ties say that it can't be done. Kansas
is likely to do it then, pust TO show 'em.
Instead OF authorizing at long range.
let US for moment get right down close,
and look the situation sQuarely In the
face, to date: No part of Ean-as ever
tried TO raise sugar beets for sugar fac
tory purposes prior to last year. BG>n,
owing TO the proximity OF a factory at
Rocky Ford, Col, one hundred or mora
farmers all new 10 the business. repre-
ckrf~, 81,
undertook the raising OF a few acres Of
beats each. under a contract with the
factory, at 81 per ton for all beets with at
least z per cent Of sugar, and an in
creased price in proportion as the beets
sweeter. Some neglected their crops and
did not attempt TO deliver them 10 the
fectory. but u growers harvested 1747
tons from SO 7acres, or p 1-3 tons each.
ranging in sugar content. according TO
the factory's weighing and paying. from
1873 to 2s.s per cent, and averaging the
good with the bad. rs per cent, while the
average IN Germany, the great beet sugar
country of the world, is reported as about
10 per cent. and in all Europe but . y
to "A per cent. Some Of these beets were
rich enough that the factory was glad
10 pay as high as $50 per ton FOR them,
and paid for all Kansas beets s514 per
ton.
The average profit per acre realized by
81 growers from whom figures were OBJ
tanned was sl70S an dranged. in some
instances. as high as SIS per acre. Fif-
teen of the more painstaking growers
raised an average OF not quite Il tons
per acre. Ohe maximum per acre was
1s1 tons) yielding an average of Use
per cent OF sugar and s2S.fS profit per
acre. Ali this was exclusive Of the one
dollar per ten bounty paid by the state.
This statement may or may not have
the bearing desired by some people with
reference to tariff legislation. but sub
nit that II our Kansas farmers in these
three counties with their inexperiences
and insufficient and unsuitable equipment.
could make such a record for quality and
and quantity in their first year. and now
have the ducats to show for IT. the Wash
ington officials ought 70 at least give Us
q factory trial before pronouncing sen
tence. even If the good doctor Wiley does
exclude Us from any share in his beet
seed prize packages With profits OF 81
to SO per acre. the Kansas beet-grower.
II he concludes to stay in the business,
viii be able TO buy the seed he needs"
For a clear complexion. bright spark
ling eye and vigorous digestion. take.
Priclsly Ash Bitters. II puts the system
in perfect order.