The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-27

<NAA It's future SIOWlH
Zf& 4N. and development in
p~aRE Kansas.
<>9~ .a,1H1&S1##~ Not one of the par
ZmzNT ty who visited Rocky
Ford after going
J. III. Churchill through the factory
and following the
beets from the immense hopper into
which farmers were dumping them,
through the processes of extracting.
purifying and refining the sugar con-
tents of the beet, but was convinced
that the owners knew how to run a
sugar factory in a scientific and pFac-
teal way. The whole plant was a bee
hive of industry, of throbbing machin-
cry working harmoniOusly-an endless
chain of beets drifting in at one end of
the plant while the finished product was
being weighed and sacked at the other.
There was not one of the party after the
inspection at the factory, which alone
represents an investment of $1.G60.00
who interviewed the farmers as they
came to the factory. or whom the party
found in the country, but what believed
after going over the subject thoroughly
with the manufacturer. and producer
of the raw material. that the growing
of beets, at least in Colorado on the Ar
kansas valley in the vicinity tributary
to Rocky Ford. was q very profita BILE
crop. and it would seem that an indus
try that will increase. the price of land
at the rate it has done there from $50
and $40 per acre to 800 and as high as
$500 per acre is certainly we'll worth
serious considera ton and rigid investi-
CATION.
It would seem that an Industry which
can in three years increase the railroad
freight receipts at a given point from
$50, 900 to $7e0,000 per year is well worth
looking after. Any crop enterprise or
industry that can bring such things
about and build up out Of small 'front.'
Ter village, what was known as only d
watermelon town, to city of 5000 PEG
pie and add thousands and thousands
of dollars of wealth in the surrounding
country, it is something that the ener-
getic Kansansf adjoining this valuable
territory wants to know something
about. I believe the time is very near
when at least western Kansas will talk
and believe in beets and more beets as
enthusiastically as their neighboFs fur
Their up the valley ~dusss
Now as to the question, The Futurs
of the Sugar Beet in Kansas" will saw
that I have given the subject very seri-
Gus consideration. I do not want to be
considered a boomer or an enthusiast
on a proposition that viii not hold
water. I do believe the sugar beet in
dustry will prove a valuable branch of
agriculture. SuccessfuFto a high degree
in Colorado, and why can it not be
made so in Kansas? To start with we
have stronger or more fertile soil As
you Journey up the valley approaching
La Junta, and further on to Rocky
Ford, one cannot help noticing the scam
vegetation where the surface is not IN
der cultivation, there is sage brush and
cactus and an occasional tuft of grass.
The soil has a sicEIy, bleached out APP
pearance, but as you drop back into
Kansas, you observe with relief
heavy coating of grass denotfng the
soil is richer and the rainfall greater.
It is generally conceded that western
Kansas. on the Arkansas valley, has
much better soil for beets than Colo
RADIO, will wear longer, and produce as
great if not greater per cent of sugar
contents in the beet than Colorado.
We have then the first essential for
successful beet culture The next two
necessary adiuncts are sunshine and
water OF the former there is no aues-
ton but what we have all that is nee
essary. Of the latter we are not always
so sure, unless supplemented with reser-
voir irrigation, but in my humble judg-
n1ent a beginner should not underta Ike
more than small acreage at first He
should be connected uD with some ditc1
to the river. that when the river is up
he can use that source for irrigation
and when the river is dry. and dry
weather seems to be the order of the
day, he should have reservoir filled by
wind pump from the ever inexhaustible
underfiow to supplement the ditch irri-
CATION when it fails, and should not
have more ground to beets than he can
/ irrigate from his reservoir. AS the acre
/ age increases. so should the water sup
ply. These are all easily and cheaDly
{ available. we nave InGn the OASIS OF
| foundation for beet culture-soii,s water
and sunshine, and a fair amount of an
nua1 rainfall. several inches more than
/ at Rocky Ford. Next there is naturally
coming the cultivation. thinning out and
wedding and 1t is right here the in
dustry receives its first check. A sugar
beet factory to be successful must have
beets by the thousands of tons. They
ask no bonus where they locate. no
bonds no special privileges, only to be
furnished plenty of beetS. and of this
they must have guarantee There Is
no use to disguise the fact that at this
! time there are not people enough in the
western part of the-state on land adapt
ed to the growing Of sugar beets. &c
guarantee the building of factory.
Undoubtedly in the near future there
will be a factory established in Kearney
| or Ffnney county. This fall they have
been shipping beets from Lakin, Deer
field and Garden City to the Rocky Ford
seen regarding the test of saceharine
matter the percent. was higher thar
was quoted to US on the Rocky Fore
1 product have had some correspond
ence with tie beet growers of the west
| who have been shipping and they are
4 very much encoura ged with the Drohl
] which they have been making this year
sad expect to double the acreage nex1
4 season I understand there are projects
now on foot to bring in a desirable pop
uiation to more thielzly settle this mos
4 fertile and productive valley. The thin.
ming wedding and cultivation of the
+ beets is work. pure and simple, exactine
and Iiresone, but the results justify tht
labor expended The A T. & s F. rdii-
way company. whose lines pass through
this yallezr, are friends of the sugar
beet: Il is to their interest. and thcs
may be relied upon TO push the develop
ment of the industry and the settling VI
of the country as rapidly as possible