Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-11-06
S6,OOO,000 in
SUGAR BEETS
Estimated Returns to Farm
ers of Colorado
FOR THIS SEASONS
SUGAR BEET CROP
An Average of $3.50 Per Ton Is
Estimated for the Entire Sugar
Beet Crop of State

me Solorado sugar factories have
just commenced their beet grinding
campaign that will return to the
farmers of Colorado over six mil
lion dollars. The American Beet Su-
gar Company estimates that there
were one hundred thousand acres, or
slightly in excess of that amount.
planted to sugar beets during the
past season and the crop is estimated
at 100000 tons, which will bring an
average of $3.50 per ton 70 the farm
ers. This is a rather different end
ing to the beet crop OF 1914 than was
anticipated last spring, Wien the fac
tories insisted upon reduction of 50
cents per ton in all of their contracts
This reduction cut down the acreage
somewhat, but the factories now es-
innate that they will produce as
much sugar this year as was pro-
duced from the crop OF last year.
In addition to this, when the Euro
pean war sent prices skyward on SUI
gar, the sugar companies determined
to share the profits with the farmers
and the so cents ton. deducted in
the contracts, has been returned and
the farmers will thus get something
over million dollars more for their
than the sugar companies were COM
PEELED to pay under their contracts.
The outlook for next year in the
sugar beet industry is exceedingly
bright. The Great Western Com
pany has sent Mr.. w. l.. Petriken to
Germany to secure seed. The only
difficulty in securing German seed
for next years crop is that OF secur-
ing transportation across the ocean.
but even should the company be un-
successful. with the seed already on
hand and that which has been grown
on their farms at, Longmont and in
Montana, there will be ample seed
for next years crop.
1t is not generally known that all
the sugar companies of the West
have. for some time, been prepared to
grow their own seed. This fall seed
beets are being sliced to be planted
next year il found necessary. The
only reason that all seed has not
been produced here is that seed can
be brought here from Germany
cheaper than it can be grown, it cost
ing about a third more to produce
seed here than in Germany.
Sugar is now selling at about $3.50
cwt. 1t is believed that prices will
probably advance again in the spring.
Practically no sugar is now being i'm
ported to this country. as most OF 1t
is going to England and France. Ger
many will have a crop of sugar but
it will be practically impossible for
them to export any OF it. 1t is re-
ported that in Germany the factories
are running with women, children
and old men and in order to get the
beets dug the storekeepers in the
towns are closing their stores early
in the afternoon and all going to the
beet fields to aid in harvesting the
crop. If the war continues, however,
it is hardly likely any beet crop will
be put in in Germany next year. lhe
sugar companies are seeking to Sc
cure two years supply of seed, if
possible. If not, they will grow their
own seed at home, and all of the
companies are making preparations
to produce seed next year.
In order to grow beet seed the
beets are selected from the general
crop and sliced, tops and all. during
the winter. They are set out again
in the spring. when they grow seed:
All of the companies have sliced
beets for seed and there can be no
question but that if necessary, all OF
the sugar beet districts will be able to
supply their own seed, which is con-
sidered as good in every way as the
best German seed.
The beet slicing campaign, which
is Just starting, will conclude about
the middle OF January and. with the
present price Of sugar, the factories
are looking forward to very SUBJ
stantial profits.