The Detroit times., 1911-09-07
MICH|GAA.s BEAN
CROP IS WORTH
s25,000,OO0
Nearly Half Of Total Product Of
Country Is Grown in This State
Industry Has Caused Land
Values To Double.
Gov. Osborn and Senator Townsend
Scheduled for Addresses Before Job
bers' Association, Now in Session.

"Mlchigan's bean crop will be al
most half that OF the entire country
this year and will be worth nearly
$25,000,000." said j. A. Heath, presl-
dent of the Michigan Bean Jobbers'
association, which Is holding lis
nineteenth annual meeting In the
Hotel Cadillac.
Michigan will produce twelve OF
the twenty-five million bushels that
will be grown in this country. Two
million dollars are invested In the
elevators and cleaning plants that
prepare this immense crop for
market and hundreds of thousands
of dollars will be paid to women and
children who pick and clean the
beans.
Although Boston has had big
bean reputation. Michigan deserves It
now. The business OF raising this
crop was begun In this country some
20 years ago. but only during the last
few years has 1t advanced rapidly.
within the last two or three years
the value of farm land In the region
of the big bean raising country has
actually Increased 100 per cent, due
entirely to the bean crop which can
be raised upon 1t. II Is a great bene-
At to the farmers.
This association of ours has de-
veioped from small local organiza-
ton until It Is now recognized the
country over as practically national
institution. We have members in
many states, and bean contracts are
made the country over upon specifica-
tons similar to those devised by US.
while Boston baked beans have q
reputation, you will find that some OF
the biggest bean Gamers In their adj
vertising feature the fact that they
use Michigan beans"
The reports of the president and
the secretary OF the association,
showed that an unusually good crop
is expected from. Michigan and an
average crop from the country at
large.
"In my opinion" said President
Heath in his opening address, every
thing points to healthy demand for
beans during the coming year. Many
sections of the country have suffered
from climatic conditions. which have
caused a shortage in almost every
kind OF food products. The growers
have reason to thank Providence for
fayoring them during the present
year.
sSrI believe that conditions point to
an average crop OF beans In Michi-
gan. and a fair crop In other parts
OF the country. Farmers will un-
doubtedly get large return for their
products.
In his report, Secretary v. p. Cash,
OF Riverdale, said that advices from
Canada and New York indicate that
the crop will be about the average.
Wisconsin also reports the usual
prospects, with chance for a de-
crease on account Of smaller acre
age than usual The far western
crop, according to reports from Cali
fornia, will be large, while that OF
Europe, especially In Austria and
Hungary, will be short.
The meeting opened Thursday az
ternoon with an address of welcome
by Mayor Thompson and response
by Thomas @. Craig of Detroit. Gov
ernor Osborn. II was hoped, would be
present during the afternoon and de-
liver an address. The report OF the
treasurer, w. N. Isbell, OF Lansing,
and addresses by Arthur Dumont, Of
Detroit, on The Detroit Board OF
Trade" and by M, II. Stevens, OF
Chatham, Ont. on Trade relations
were also on the program.
The meeting will adjourn Friday az
ter the election Of officers. There
has been no slate framed up for the
coming year President Heath, who
has held his Office for seven years.
states that he cannot accept another
nomination.
The principal speaker on the pro-
gram for Friday is Senator Townsend,
who is scheduled to speak on Trade
relations"