GROWING SUGAR, BEETS IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO. 5 



in typical regions. It was felt that these data would be exceedingly 

 valuable in indicating some of the urgent needs of the farmer and 

 would in turn assist in devising remedies or suggesting means of 

 combating some of the enemies of this crop. Acknowledgement is 

 due the farmers of these districts for their hearty cooperation. The 

 questions that were asked were answered promptly and courteously, 

 and the department is under obligation to them for this service. 



DEVELOPMENT OF SUGAR-BEET INDUSTRY IN MICHIGAN 



AND OHIO. 



The first four beet-sugar factories in Michigan were built during 

 the year 1899 (fig. 2), and were located at Alma, Bay City, Caro, and 

 Holland, respectively. Two additional factories were constructed in 

 1900. Other factories were built at the rate of three per year up to 

 and including 1903. During the five-year period of 1899 to 1903 the 



Pig. 2. — One of the first beet-sugar factories erected in Michigan. 



beet-sugar industry became well established in this State. Sixteen 

 factories are now available for the manufacture of beet sugar in 

 Michigan; 15 of these were in operation during the period of this 

 survey. 



In Ohio the first factory was built during the year 1900. No other 

 factories were constructed until the period 1910-12, at which time 

 four factories were erected and put in operation, making a total of 

 five for this State; three of these contracted sugar beets and con- 

 ducted active campaigns during the period of this survey. One fac- 

 tory was idle in 1914, but operated in 1915. 



According to census figures for 1909, sugar beets were grown exten- 

 sively in Tuscola, Bay, Huron, Gratiot, and Saginaw Counties, Mich. 

 Paulding was the leading sugar-beet growing county in Ohio that 

 year. 



