Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1903-02-20
WORD IO MICHIGAN
SUGAR BEET GROWERS
Michigan Has Proven Itself To Be
A Great Beet Sugar State.
A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE
TO THE FARMERS
They Should Not Kill the Goose that
Lays the Golden Eggs.

ut is to be. regretted that some Mich
igan farmers have allowed themselves &c
be Influenced by irresponsible agitators
TO choose an inopportune time 10 demand
an Increased price for beets. The ME.
ceding year has been disastorous 10 the
beet sugar industry in Michigan. but
the manufacturers, and not the growers,
have been the heaviest losers.
The entire investment in a beet sugar
enterprise is risked on the prospect of a
satisfactory yield of beets, and the com.
petition fer acreage by the Michigan
factories is now so keen that the farmer
can depend upon getting the highest
possible price for his beets. The heavy
rains OF last year blighted the homes Of
the Michigan farmers. il il true. but
other crops suffered even worse than
sugar beets and after all. il appeared
that the beet crop was the "best money!,
at the end of the season The fa,pars
OF Michigan owe debt of gratitude m
the enterprising capitalists who risked
their money in developing the beet
sugar Industry in that state All ~
them have shared in the general pros
perity that has resulted in the sections
where beet sugar factories have been
located. And it must be remembered
that the money received for the product
OF beet sugar factory is all kept at
home and goes back into local channels
OF trade to the benefit of merchants and
farmers alike.
Ihe farmers of Michigan could better
afford to grow beets for lower price
than TO demand so much that the ex.
listing beet sugar factories'c could not be
operated at profit, and would be forced
70 shut down or grow beets upon their
own lands, while intending investors in
new beet sugar enterprises would also
De discouraged from extending the in.
iustry in that state.
Michigan has proven itself 10 be
'reat beet sugar state and many more
actories will be erected, giving the
armers a still larger market for their
'eets and assuring them of STABLE prioe 7
the future, therefore it is not wise to ,
sK more for beets than the manufac. q
urers can afford to pay for them. The I
niortunate conditions that prevailed I,
'st season may not again appear for :.
lany years and it must be remembered ~
lat with the profits from the beet crons q,
lie farmers Of Michigan have paid off q
umerous mortgages in former years II
Id that with each year of experience >,
icy add TO their knowledge of beet ar
Iieure' and make themselves competent r.,
grow beets of improved sugar content IT
ID purity, by means Of which thew %,
III secure better prices for their crops Co
lt may be possible that the beet bv
overs have had some real grievances hi
the matter of differences in tare and Nj
ts, but the managers of the several no
stories will see that it is TO their adj. To
ntage to be perfectly fair and honest in Ad
lgning and analyzing. while the No
'wers can readily secure competent 90
n TO represent them in these matters
hey have reason to believe that thew
being deceived.
Sc wise, oh, Michigan farmers. don't r
the Goose. that lays the Golden IA
ys." auJ