The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1917-01-04
A Step In the
Right Direction

Below We print the article
written lay } y. Buchanan. and
reprinted in the last issue of the
Sedgwick Sun, in which we re-
fer to elsewhere in this paper:
To the Editor of The Sun;
After attending the meeting at the
Court House and the banquet given by
Ju!esburg to the visiting guestS, l was
very much impressed by the spirit II ..ni
Tested at the meeting. 1t was get to
gether movement and will no doubt re-
suit in much good to h. communities
IN which the organization is maintained
and ] wish to congratulate Julesburg
for the grand success of the meeting
and the banquet.
The several talks presented by The
Great Western Sugar 60. were well
taken. and l am sure will result in a
better understanding between growers
and factory and will be- great incen-
tive to the owners and renters of farms
to follow the advice given.
There is no doubt but we have to get
to business and DIVERSITY CROPS if We
are going to continue beet raising and
other crops. 1 have c0ntended that if
we will put the same energy to growing
and caring for potatoes. wheat corr. oats
and alfalfa as We do beets, i. e. properly
water and cultivate therc, that We will
get paying resnlts One thing we are
most up against is the greed with most
OF our farmers today, in taking more
land than they are able to take care of,
especially under irrigation. Several in
stances have been very plainly shown
in the past of where man took care
of just what he could and the crop al
most doubled in yield. | have had the
hardest tim. with the renters l have
had to do with. in getting them to take
care of anything but the beets. They
would say I'VE must save our water
for the bsets, cant water alfalfa, wheat
or anything else, l have only SO much
water for beets and l can't take any
chances"
Right here is where the big mis-
take is made If crop is worth put
ting in. it is worth taking care of
and if it is not worth the while, why
put it in? A Ditch farm is so many
acres. 4O-sO-l20 or l6O. Now what is
the use of farming and paying taxes
on it if we just take care Of the beet
part only? My judment is. get our
farms down to where the renter has
the time and will sure see that the al
falfa AND EVERY CORP HE GROWS. is
given the proper attention and then we
will get the desired results, not only have
beet factory, but every crop we raise
will be equally taken care of, elevators
will be built, also potato store houses
and alfalfa mills.
One of the most profitable ways
nf F,rtn fh., =.
the feeding business, feed sheep or
cattle and raise hogs-this is where
get your land fertilizer and then we will
be where the Beet Experta wart US to
be we will have the right 8, stem to
build up the farm and your average
crops will speak for themselves, the
land will be wanted. a factoay will be
buiit and thriving community of actual
owners instead of renters will be the re-
suit.
The Beet Company can be a great
help to us in bringing about these con-
ditions when they begin to contract.
No farmer ought to put over one. fourth
Of his farm to beets, the other three
fourths, diversity with alfalfa. small
grain and potatoes and top dress by
feeding-he will then have new ground
right along to grow his crops on, and
will raise as much off one acre, as he
does now off two. Here is where or
gan!zation gets in its work. five pull
together we will get the needed result.
What is best for the renter ought to be
good for the owner: and when we are
growing q crop for the beet company,
any measures that the company and
farmer can: get together on will be
big help to both. As Mr.. Gurnsey said
in his talk, anything that the farmer
can show the beet company that is to
the best interests of both would GER
tainly be appreciated.
burg Irrigation District started and its
organization was ce rtainIy . big under
taking at that time-much greater than
the building of 4 Sugar Factory at
the present time. We had TIE promo
ters then that staid it thru, though at
times it looked impossible on account
of the opposition. 1t was 4 project and
many old-timers could only see it from
viewpoint of disaster, but persistance
on the part of the promoters. and stay
ing qualities of all interested has put the
District today where it is conceded ~
the best Irrigation district in Colorado.
Its Bonds are at par and none for sale.
1t seems possible that with the con-
ditions under which this District has
developed. and the adjoinig territory
ready to join hands. that we are soon
ready for factory and hence this get
together movement. We have the pro
moters if We all put our shoulder to the
wheel and present conditions that will
maintain a factory or bring about any
thing, as Mr.. Hendy expressed it in his
telling address for a Greater Platte
Valley. JAMES N. BUCHANAN.