The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-08-11
MORE CONFIDENCE
James scllley Gives Some Hints on
Preparation Of the Soil, Which, It
Followed, VIII Mean Dollars to the
Beet Grower Who Follows Advice.
From Saturdays Daily.

RASANA
ed on every tract Of land in the vicin-
ity Of Billings. The following paper,
from James Scilley, will be found
and interesting, not alone by
the men who make It their business
to raise the beets. but BY the gener-
al public as we'll:
TWO Youth Tell Of Entrance Of Muir
dered Boy Into House Of Man Now
Under Arrest-He Did Not Reap
pear-other Peculiar circumstances.
Billings Mont, Aug. It'll, 1908.
Editor Of The Journal: Dear Sir:
AS the growing season Of the sugar
beet is we'll advanced and I have been
requested by q great many to give
a statement Of conditions as they ex-
list at the present time and some sug-
gestions for the future, with your per-
mission I take this opportunity OF
giving a statement Of conditions as y
see them, with q few exceptions in
each locality.
The crop has the appearance Of all
that could be desired and ] am look
ing for a very satisfactory crop to all
concerned. It looks to me a II the
problem was solved and the Billings
Sugar company would have to refuse
some beets for 1909.
You ask what has brought about
these conditions and l will say that
several things have brought them
about. 8S& .Gs 4MF %483 85f
First: Growers have more conf
dence in the business after two years
experience and are not afraid to put
the work on the ground necessary to
make a success, both before and al
ter planting. Then the labor market
was in better shape and the compa-
ny vas able to secure ample help to
do the hand work. Weather condi'
lions for the last six weeks have
been all that could be desired, and
then there is a general good feeling
among all the growers to make a sue.
cess, and with the abundance OF wa
ter which we have, 1t could not help
but come out right.
But while things are in very good
shape and while I expect the Yellow
stone and 5Clark's Fork valleys to
make a record second to none this
year, we must not think that is good
enough, for I do not think we will
reach anything like the yield this
year that can be reached when condi
lions are right. I believe the success
of. the sugar beets this year will d.
more to advertise and increase value
Of property in this valley than an,
other industry that "a or could pos
sibly be started and the better results
we can get from year to year tn.
o valuable real estate becomes;
consequently now Is the time to com
mence to get ready for 1909. /.
I would like very much to e som,
of our growers plow under the secont
or. third cutting Of alfalfa this fall, SO!
almost four inches deep, leave unit
spring, then plow again the require,
depth from 5 to 10 inches, depending
upon the quality and age Of the sol
Those who have not alfalfa land t
plow under, might find some barn
yard manue If they make the EFFORT
At the present time we are hauling
manure every bit Of spare time "
have from the factory three miles GU
to our farm. We use our beet wae
ons, putting four horses on, and hau
good big loads and put the manure i
large piles. So when we get the Gro;
OF the land, we can Immediately sea
ter the anure and get c%onsiderabl
land MANFRED and plowed this fal
where if we did not do this in thi
way, it would be impossible for us I
get it done at all. .s
To those who are contemplatln
growing beets on new land or in me-
territory, I would advise to plow the1
land this fall and SOW rye o. IA
wheat. Water it, If necessary, ne1
spring early. Then let it grow I
along in the early part Of May whe
there will be a good crop OF veget'
ton into the furows SO all will b
completely covered. Prepare Ii
ground and plant Immediately, an
you will find that this will almol
equal alfalfa land.
/ expect a great many growers
raise very good crops this yea
Would it not be a good idea for eae
grower to keep tab on how he did
Then this fall or winter all can g
together and discuss the dinerel
methods, and find. out how the be
results were obtained. II n has su
cess, 1t will not make him any le
money IL his neighbor also has su
cess.
We are disappointed occasional
to hear of business men and la