The state herald., 1910-02-11
RAISE IN PRICE
OF SUGAR BEETS
PREDICTION THAT 1T WILL BOOM
THE INDUSTRY IN SOUTH.
ERN COLORADO.
pLEASES THE GROWER
COMING YEAR LIKELY TO BE REC
oRD-BREAkER IN SUGAR
PRODUCTION.

Denver.-The News Saturday morn
Ing, says: Sugar beet growers OF tho
Arkansas valley have been notified by
the trust and independent factories of
new scale of prices to be paid them
for beets in 1910, which, generally,
amounts to an increase of nearly SO
cents a ton and is the highest price
ever offered for beets In that section
of the state.
Back of this announcement is n VIC
tory for the farmers, attributed to
quiet, concentrated work, covering
period of some years, or since the abo-
lition OF the original rate in favor OF
the unsatisfactory sliding scale. al
though the factories say the high mar
ket price for sugar enables them to
give the raise. This is probably true,
too, but 1t is also certain that the
farmehs did not like the scale which
has been prevailing, and that there
was danger of grave deterioration in
the industry.
1t is equally certain that the new
scale means wonderful revival in in
terest, and a correspondingly in
creased output. The coming year is
likely to be a record-brcaker in point
of production throughout the state.
In other words, the companies appar-
emily do not wish to figure in the light
of having receded from their attitude,
but. having done SO, 1t probably means
a tremendous impetus to the most i'm
portant agricultural industry that this
state boasts. The constant cry of the
companies is for higher grade beets.
and they claimed that the scale which
is now being abolished in favor OF the
new one, was designed to increase the
sugar content.
The farmers, on the other hand, de-
clared they were unable to make
enough money under the old sliding
scale to justify continuing the effort.
The industry in the Arkansas valley
represents n fixed investment by the
independents at Holly and Swink and
by the trust of millions of dollars
When conditions are right and crops
large. they pay out millions TO the
farmers and TO factory employees.
That the sugar beet industry has
been the means of reclaiming n vast
acreage and has brought into Colorado
thousands of new and desirable citl-
zens and a vast amount of money,
there is no doubt, but when the grow.
ers began to feel 1t was not worth
while raising beets, and that they
could make more money producing
something else. the industry was jeop-
ardized.
That the new scale will establish
amocablc relations all around. and be
the means OF advancing sugar beet
growing through tne valley. with all
the desirable conditions naturally re.
sulting. seems TO be the general i'm.
preston.
II is understood that the new seal.
does not affect the northern part OF
the state, where the Great Western
company operates, as 1t has flat rate
OF $500 to $3.50 per ton. Neither
/ ht'o ~
at Sugar City, where the fiat rate pre-.
walls.
In the northern field the rate is IS
per ton, without reference to sugar
content, and this scale is said 10 be
unsatisfactory to many OF the grow.
crs.
At Grand Junction. where the fac
tory is owned by Colorado Springs
people, who also operate factories In
Kansas. 81 rate prevails.
The announcement OF the new scale
came from Holly. where the headpuar.
tcrs OF the independent factories OF
Holly and Swlnk are located, and from
the headquarters OF the American
company Mt Rocky Ford. at the zane
time. indicating that II is the result
OF nm agreement between them.