Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-02-18

but It can be accomplished by the
presentation of facts to the land
holders. A little well directed. con-
tinuous effort will be certain to
bring about the desired effect.
Many a good project has fallen
through simply from loss of in
terest and a lack of systematic eff
fort, exactly as this same PROPOSE
ton died a natural death the first
time it was proposed to our people.
NEW INDUSTRY.
In no year prior to 1922 did
the total output Of beet sugar in
the United States amount to as
much as 100000 pounds. Ten
years later the production reached
395, 900, 900 pounds, and in 1904
466, OOO,0 pounds. During the
last twelve years the beet sugar out
put increased to nearly forty times
it's amount in 1892.
The industry was first introduced
in California; Nebraska and Utah
were the next states to take up the
production. Beet culture was not
introduced into Michigan until
1S98-99. In 10000 fifty-three fac
torres located in twelve states, were
in operation. These factories work
ed 2,023,O0 short tons of beets,
grown on 262,OO acres. Michigan
contributed the largest crop of
beets, although California produced
the largest quantity of sugar.
The people Of the United States
consume about 100000, 900 worth
of sugar every year; they make
$25, 900, 900 worth and import $115,
100000 worth, all of which might
be produced at home, and un-
doubtedly will be in time, because
we have the soil and can get the
labor, and there is no more pro-
fitable crop for farmers. 1t is one
of the greatest economical problems
before the American people, and
the succulent beet is destined to
play an important part in their
future prosperity.
COST OF GROWING BETS.
The average cost per acre OF
growing beets according to the re-
ports sent to Prof. w. A. Henry, OF
state experiment station, is $2S. sc
per acre, and the average yield OF
beets 14.2 tons per acre. These re.
ports do not include cost of seed,
rent of land or wear and tear OF
machinery; but all other items from
blowing the ground to placing the
crop in the cellar or silo. 1t should
be remembered that the reports re-
ferred to above were on small tracts
of ground, and it is natural that the
expense is considerably higher than
it is with practical beet growers.
In the districts where practical
experience has taught the farmers
how to handle the crop to the best
advantage the cost per acre does
not exceed $25, including the rent
of land, seed, and wear and tear OF
machinery, and indeed under favor
able conditions is reduced to $1S to
500.
MARKET VALUE OF BETS
The beets grown have a gross
value at the factory Of 81. so to SIS. 90
per ton. This gives a gross return
per acre of $4S to $54, and net
profit of $1S to 1914. 1t must be kept
in mind that these are averages of
gross and net proceeds. Many
growers receive as high as SIS. and
some as high as 800, per acre for
their beets, these high results de-
pending upon the superior quality
of the land and the superior skill of
the one producing the beets. If a
farmer has poor land, or is a poor
farmer, he is not in a position to
expect much in planting any kind
of crop. These statements are
sufficient to give a farmer who is
experienced in all other kinds of
crops a fair insight into the situa-
ton.
ALWAYS SURE OF A CROP.
The investigational work in
sugar beet culture conducted by or
under the auspices of the expert
ment station since 1890, has shown
beyond a doubt that the cultural
side of the question presents no diff
ficulties which would stand in the
way of the successful growing of
sugar beets in our state. They
have found that yields of beets of a
high quality may be obtained in our
state during good, poor or indif-
ferent seasons, when proper at
tention is given to the crop, the
yields obtained here, as elsewhere,