The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-05-17
COMMERCIAL CLUB
MONTHLY MEETING
FAIR ATTENDANCE TO CONSIDER
SEVERAL PROJECTS OF I'M.
PORTANcE
NEW INDUSTRY PLANNED FOR COUNTRY
Consideration Of Black and Yellow
Trail--Matters Referred to
Board

The Commercial Club of the city
held their regular monthly meeting
at the club rooms last Monday even
ing and not a very large number of
members were in attendance. Presi-
dent Culhane presided and after the
minutes of the previous meeting had
been read and approved, C.. H. Allen.
Of Detroit, Mich, was introduced to
present to the club a matter that is
vital to the farmers of the community.
Mr.. Allen represents a large concern
interested in the manufacture of beet
sugar and for some years they have
been interested in the experiments be.
ing made by Prof. J. II. Shepard along
these lines. For many years Mr.. Allen
has been travelling through the west
and he has been convinced for a long
time that a place showing great ma
tural advantages for the growing of
sugar beets was to be found in the
Sioux Valley. Now, with a great de-
mand for ar increase in sugar produc.
ton. the time seems ripe for a trial of
this matter to demonstrate IL the ex.
periments of Prof. Shepard can be
made into a commercial success. The
approved seed for growing sugar beets
Is largely produced in Russia, Ger.
many, Poland and other parts of Eu-
rope and this year has been very hard
to obtain. Mr.. Allen has seed for one
hundred acres and he will plant thirty
acres Of this near Bookings. the rest
being distributed farther south in the
valley, down to Sioux Falls and south
Of there. He asked Of the Brookings
people that three plots OF ten acres
each be secured for him of reputable
farmers, who would co the planting
and harvesting under his direction, and
thus give the beet culture a fair and
legitimate trial. These have been Sc
cured and on the farms of John Green.
p. o. Kennard and Mr.. Holmes, in the
east part Of town. this trial Of the
soil and other conditions will be made.
The development of this industry is
all a matter for future determination
and this trial Is what will tell the tale.
Personally, we are of the opinion that
1t will be a success, as the experiments
Of Prof. Shepard have been so far
reaching and w have such confidence
In his judgment, that we feel that he
now is to meet with a recognition of
the truth of his contention that the
beet sugar industry is one that will
benefit South Dakota.
Robt. Henry, of volga, vice-president
for this county. Of the Black and Vel.
low Trail, was present and presented
the matter OF encouraging the develop
ment of this great highway. The mat
ter will be taken up by the directors
at a meeting this week and a time set
for a meeting here with o. H. Phelps,
the state secretary of the Trail, in at
tendance.
The matter OF the employment OF a
play ground supervisor for the chill
dren of the city was presented by the
president and referred to the beard for
further consideration.
Several of the members engaged in
the discussions that took place over
the subjects presented and there seem.
ed to be a growing interest in the work
of the club. At about eleven O'Clock
the meeting was adjourned to permit
the members and those present to par
ticipate of a very excellent lunch by
the Brookings Cafe. Taken all in all
the meeting was a really good one end
the discussions provoked were Of a
character to draw out Ire best opinions
of those present who felt like talking.