Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-04
Nebraska
BEElS AGAIN BIZ FAJIOR
Irrigation in SCOTS Bluff County
Starts New Factory.
PREPARATIONS FOR LARGE CROP
water from New Canal Sufficient
for Purpose and Farmers Enthu-
siastic over Prospect of
Good Returns.

SCOTS BLUFF, Neb., April 3-(spe-
diAl with the reclamation Of the semi
arid regions OF the west the sugar beet
has come in Tor a good share Of attention
Up 70 the present year Colorado has been
the leading state IN the union In the pro-
duction Of this crop, but there Is every
indication that Nebraska Is soon to be In
the front rank as one Of the beet producing
states.
Beets have been raised In Nebraska for
years. Under the direction and manage
ment OF Hey~ard G. Leavitt Of Omaha,
now Of SCOTS Bluff, a factory was built
and operated az Ames, Neb., nearly a
decade ago. All along the Platte where II
IS possible and profitable to irrigate sue
ccssfulIy the sugar beet is one Of the staple
crops. The factory at Ames, however, did
not prove a success. as the soil in that
portion OF the state does not seem p%articu-
larly adapted tor beet culture. Since its
abandonment the Nebraska crop has been
disposed Of to the Colorado factories, grad
uauy increasing from year to year, and has
formed a considerable per cent Of the an
nual beet crop.
Conditions Favorable.
Experiments conducted in the western part
OF the state have proved beyond a question
OF a doubt that the soil and climate condi-
tions are most favorable for beet culture,
and those OF the western counties which
depend upon irrigation for their moisture,
particularly SCOTS Bluff county, are now
taking front rank among the beet producing
sections OF the country.
For several years concerted effort has
been made by the beet sugar growers to
induce the Great Western Sugar company,
which controls the beet sugar industry, to
locate a factory In this portion Of the state,
but It was only last year that their efforts
met with any degree Of success. Early In
the spring Of 1909, however, 1t was an
nounced that the sugar company had de-
clded to build a factory In Nebraska, and
Immediately every effort was put forth by
the different towns to induce the company
TO choose their particular town for a fac
tory site. J.
SCOTS Bluff seemed to have the ad.
vantage, however, being centrally located
and a thriving town, and early In the sum
mer 1t was announced that that city had
been chosen for a location With its char
acteristic energy the sugar company al
once began the purchase Of lands adjacent
to the town and fall saw the Factory begun
New settlers Rush In.
Since that time the interest OF the west
ern end Of the state has been conferred
largely on SCOTS Bluff and the new fac.
tory. Not alone from this end Of the state
has interest been manifested, however. One
Of the largest irrigation canals in tn,
west, and the largest in the state, th'
Farmers Mutual canal, was completed
about the same time. and a large portion o
the lands undersAt controlled by the Tri
state Land company, were thrown on tn
market. An Omaha concern, the Payne In
vestment company, was given the sale o
the entire tract. and throughout the sum
mer OF 1900 conducted one Of the mos
phenomenally successfuF land sales OF
record In the state. Through the advertis
ing matter put forth by this concern, tn
irrigated tracts, along the North Plat
in the western part OF the state receives
such an exploiting as seldom falls to tn
lot Of any community. and there was a
Immediate rush OF new settlers into tn
valley.
SCOTS Bluff, in the spring Of 1869.
, peaceful town of about 100 people Is no,
variously estimated at from 1900 TO $50
and the other towns adjacent have ha
a scarcely less remarkable growth, wit
the possible exception Of Gering, which
being an Inland town has been at a as
advantage, though showing some effect
Of the general awakening.
DiG Preparations Made.
The factory viii be ready to take car
Of this years crop OF beets and the acr,
age Of beets for the 1910 season is varIousl
stimated at from 15,OO6 acres upward. A
intervals along the railroad, dumps" hay
been built to load the beets into cars, thu
doing away entirely with lone hauls, Whic