Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-03-12

There has been more or less agita-
tion in certain parts of the west pre-
ceding the signing of the contracts
for the 1915 beet sugar campaign. If
some of the statements were based
| on fact it would be problematica1
whether certain OF the factories
would succeed in getting sufficient
acreage to run next fall. However,
we are glad to learn from a gentle
man just in from the section where
the agitation was the loudest that
the signing up of acreage is going
along all right and that there will be
no shortage as was feared.
One of the most exasperating clc-
ments that the sugar companies have
to deal with is the local orator who
in many cases does not farm himself,
but who arms himself with facts and
figures to suit his purpose and starts
out on his lecturing tour. In some
cases it is hard to place the lecturer.
He is not farmer and his interest
in the case is not apparent. In the
long run he is as much detrimcnt
to the farming community in which
he circulates as he is to the sugar
companies. He destroys any possi-
bility of an understanding between
them.
The trouble with the agitator is
that he concerns himself with but
one end of the farmers problems.
He discusses nothing but the mar
keting end. If he would turn part OF
his talent to production methods he
would be of greater benefit to every
body concerned.
As it is easier for business men to
deal with business men, the sugar
~ -, -
zation of farmers themselves, officer
cd and conducted by real farmers.
/ is easier to deal with men who un-
derstand conditions than those who
do not know and who do not want
to learn.
Organization in Rural Commun-
ity," by I. n! Carver. adviser in Ag-
ricultural Economics of the United
States Department of Agriculture, a
paper included in the Yearbook OF
the department for 1914, does not
make one suggestion or advise any
thing that the sugar companies would
not be glad to see put into, effect in
their communities. Among the needs
suggested by Mr.. Carver are better
farm production, better marketing
facilities, better means of securing
farm supplies, better credit facilities.
DettcT means Oh communication, VIZ,
roads and telephones.
Among the social needs suggested
are better educational facilities, bet
ter sanitation, better opportunities
for recreation, Identification of the
countryside, and better home eco
nomics.
Better farm production follows in
the wake of sugar beets. This is
proved by the increased yield of crops
following thereafter. This is the
method of Continental Europe fol-
lowed in feeding her dense popula-
ton.
The better marketing facilities in
beet sugar sections is provided by
having the buyers at their door. Their
raw material is worked up at home.
ANY method devised for securing
farm supplies cheaper would be help
ed along by the companies: in many
cases they operate farms themselves,
and would benefit directly.
They in many cases take care OF
the matter of credit of their growers.
That is, they make advances on the
beet crop at reasonable rates, furnish
the money for labor in advance,
where necessary, and also in many
cases scout around for the labor.
Wherever beets are grown good
roads are a necessity. Beets make
heavy tonnage, and as the cost is les
sened as the roads improve, it natur-
ally follows that beet sugar farmers
understand the necessity for and arc
advocates of good roads. The next
step is to get them.
Better educational facilities are
available in a country OF small farms,
intensively cultivated, as in the beet
sugar communities. There are al
ways school houses and churches in
the beet districts-and they are open.
A ready cash crop like. beets comes
in to the farmer in many cases in the
! nature OF an extra" II is money