The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-10
SUGAR BETS FOR
CUT.OVER LANDS
EXPERT DECLARES SUCH SOIL
IDEAL FOR THE CROPS.
Industry Is Growing in Wisconsin and
Making Waste Places Productive
Similar Uses May Be Made of North
ern Minnesota Land Government Re-
port on Local Beet Factory.

That the recent destruction Of the
beet sugar factory at st. Louis Park
means considerable loss to many farm
ers in Minnesota is indicated in a re-
port just published by the department.
of agriculture on the progress Of the
beet sugar industry in 1904.
1.-The progress of the single factory in
this state minnesota is SO marked that
it seems unnecessary to- discuss condi-
ress,' says the report. 7The general
average Of beets was 1882 tons per
acre; the average sugar in the. beets,
75.6 per cent; the o average purity, Sc:
that conditions are quite favorable for
both the farmers and the factory
The report contains table Of 1l2
farmers who furnished beets to the fac
tory in 1904, showing that the profits
of sugar beet production were consid-
cradle. The largest acreage sown by
any one farmer was ten acres, and the
acre. The highest net income per acre
was $13823, from a two-acre tract; the
next highest, $124.87 on a fve-acre
tract, thence down to $70.15 per acre,
realized by several farmers who cult
waited from one to three acres.
The most interesting feature, Of the
report, however, is that showing the
success attending sugar beet production ii?
consin, where it is believed the char
acter of the soil is somewhat similar
TO that of northern Minnesota, and
which indicates that such a use can be
found for the cut-over land in this state.
Charles F. Saylor, who prepared the
report, is enthusiastic as to the pos
sibilities Of beet. sugar production In
Wisconsin, on which subject he says:
| 80 IN, he
northern third of the state unrecla1med
The woodrnan has denuded them of for
ests; the railroads are there, with small
villages and hamlets denoting the former
activity of the region. The methods for
retaining these lands have been some
what of a problem.
Gradually it has developed that these
lands possess high agricultural utilities
Thru natural seeding the whole face OF
this vast territory is becoming set to tim
othv and clover. Both Of these grow lux
uriantly. ...s.-.-.
=, Small Grains Do Not Pay.
The owners of these lands have been
looking for a crop adapted to the section
that will reclaim it to profitable cultiva.
ton. Gardening will do 1T; but the re-
gion is too vast to plant entirely to gar
den products. Tobacco has done the Worl
on some of it; but it's progress has beer
| w,
ern part Of the state. To clear land o
stumps and plant small grains will no
paw, because western prairies produce ou
best crops Of wheat and other small grains
simply by breaking the sod and SOWING
the seed The culture of sugar beet
seems best adapted to this purpose, an
this crop is gradually penetrating tn
stump fields of Wisconsin prepared an
planted to beets they give rental Valu
of SIS an acre, or a selling value of SIC
Much Of this stump land can be bough
for IS per acre.
From the standpoint Of the investo
Y financing a sugar plant in northern Wis
r consin is quite similar to that /
y our arid states. Reclaiming arid land
e requires considerable expense in buildin
Is irrigating bitches. In addition it cost
h about $40 an acre annually to water tn
e land In Wisconsin these stump lant
Is can be bought for a small expenditure pc
IS acre. Instead Of investing money in irr
IS eating bitches it must be applied to erac
q icating the stumps. Nature is bountif
is in her supply of rain. This eliminate
t. the cost of watering the land. In eitht
a. case the low cost Of lands makes it pc:
~ sible, with a small additional capitalize
ton, for the corporation to acquire
7s large body of land.
e. Twenty years hence I look to see PR
I'd ductive beet fields in that part of nortl
I'd ern Wisconsin which is now a Wilderne:
le of stumps. After them will naturally TO
1T low all the other crops adapted to i
SOIL Thru these will be brought industri
II production, with many Of these crops SUI
in plying the crude materials; stock breet
c. ing, the dairy, the fattening pens, tt
la canning factory, the creamery, the fol
S. mill, the sugar factory. Each new fa'
~ tory installed under the present policy
tx establishing sugar factories will serve {
e. developing influence in its territor
Beet production will extend each year
new localities.
- Free-15c Collar with Crawford $3.s