The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-11-26
Million Dollars
to Sugar Growers

Approximately seven hundred and
fifty thousand dollars was paid out
to the farmers in the vicinity of
Blackfoot, Idaho Falls and Sugar City
on the 9th inst by the Utah Sugar
company for the delivery of sugar
beets during October to the above
three factories. This is the state
ment made by Mark Austin, agricul-
tural superintendent Of the company,
living at Rexburg, says the Statesman
Mr. Austin says his company will
distribute in round numbers one mil
lion dollars to the farmers of that
particular section of southeastern
Idaho for this years crop of sugar
beets. The October delivery totaled
approximately one hundred and fifty
tons. Delivery of the crop was begun
in september and will be concluded
this month.
On tho 10th of this month large
sums were also paid out at each o:
the three factories for labor and other
operating expenses In October there
was also considerable amount paid
out for the September operation
charges and further amount will be
paid in December and January. The
factories will be compelled to run un.
til about January 1 in order to take
care of the present crop.
The crop has been generally good
one. Speaking further on the sub
ject, Mr.. Austin said: 1.-THE sale of
the beet crop has enabled the farmers
to pay off their pressing obligations
and to hold their other crops where
they so desired, with the effect Of
thus stimulating prices on all tho
other farm crops.
"The farmers have raised from $50
to 500 worth of sugar beets to the
acre, according to the condition of tho
farm and the care given the crop.
Some Of the beneficial effects derived
from beet culture ere the thorough
and intense cultivation of the soil
which is necessary to produce good
crops; the working 'out of a system
of crop rotation; the encouraging Of
the farmers in thoroughly fertilizing
the SOIL tho encouraging or stimu-
lating them in the raising of more
livestock in order to consume the beet
pulp and beet tops, and bringing
about the realization of the value of
diversified farming, which means not
only protection of the soil but the
stimulation of better growing OF all
other crops
"The opening of the European war
had the effect of greatly stimulating
the price of sugar. There YVES a great
deal of excitement with the result
that sugar prices scared However,
these prices have gradually fallen off
during the last month or two.
This is largely accounted for by
the fact that owing to these unset
tied conditions the wholesalers and
retailers are not purchasing heavily
but only sufficient to cover their
needs for immediate consumption.
"Since the passage of tho Undcr-
wood tariff law and up to the open
Ing Of the war in Europe. sugar and
sugar stocks had gone all to pieces
in price. If it hadn't been for the
war, the tariff provision of free sugar
in 1916 would without a doubt have
forced all of the beet sugar factories
throughout the United States to close
down and cease their operations.
THE effect of such a calamity can
be easily seen by referring to the
above facts with reference to the
amount of money which our company
Is distributing to the farmers in
southeastern Idaho for this years
crop alone"