Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-09-08
SWEET POTATOES.
Experiment to Test Possibility Of In
PRODUCING Them Abroad.

Producing Them Abroad.
Washington, d. c., September l.
The Secretary OF Agriculture has re-
ceived from DR.. d. +. Salmon, Chief
of the Bureau of Animal Industry, a
report on trial ship of sweet pota-
toes to London, England, and Paris,
France, made last March by direc-
ton of the Secretary, for the pur-
pose of securing some facts as to the
possibility OF introducing this AmerN
can product into European markets.
The middle OF last March twenty
barrels of sweet potatoes were pur-
chased in southern New Jersey TO be
exported 10 two lots of ten barrels
each to London and Paris. Special
care was taken in the selection and
packing Of the potatoes. The bar
rels were lined with tar paper TO keep
out moisture, and each potato was
wrapped in lightweight parchment
paper. The potatoes were selected
and instructions for shipment were
given by Mr.. ID. Nj. Nesbit, secretary
of the Evansville Farmers CLUB OF
Maryland, which has given much at
IenIlOn W VIC Oul'iN Rb'NA NNHN
mark citing of sweet potatoes.
The lot was shipped by the Red
Star steamship Kensington, which
sailed for Southampton March 2lst,
and a special request was made that
the shipment be placed in cool and
dry part of the vessel.
At Southampton ten barrels were
sent to DIR. w. h. Wray, inspector OF
the Bureau at London, aud the re
manning ten barrels were forwarded
to Mr.. William A. Taylor, Assistant
Pomologist of the Department.. then
in Paris, in charge of the United
States horticultural exhibit at the
| Exposition.
The ten barrels arrived in London
April 3. Seven barrels were sent TO
four different stores and three DIS
tributed in small parcels to private
| families. The experiment being mace
by the Departm was explained
and an expression as to how the pota-
toes were liked was requested. Some
dealers were invited to give opinions
as to the ACCESSIBILITY of making regu-
lar shipments.
In reporting the results OF the ex'
pertinent, based on personal observa-
ton, and replies to the requests
sent with the potatoes, DR.. Wray
states that the potatoes were Deauti
fully packed, but it was late in the
season for them, and in two OF the
barrels, which he saw opened, were
quite a number of rotten ones.
Mapv persons with whom he talked
had never before eaten American
sweet potatoes, and the first impress
sion of them was not favorable, but
after n second and third trial, they
were voted very palatable. DR.. Wray
is strongly of the opinion that /
sweet potatoes were introduced
through the proper channels, they
will find a considerable sale In The
English market He says to intro
6uce them it will be necessary tC
educate the Britisher up to them, an(
that il would be advisable to have
printed small circular giving thu
various recipes for cooking and serv
ing. He recommends that Shipment
of saw. six barrels per week be made
and. If the demand warrants. thi
number can easily be increased by
cable. There are many American
families residing permanently II
England, and by advertising the fac
that sweet potatoes were obtainabl
a considerable sale would be insure,
from the start.
The potatoes were Tetalled at oil
ferent stores, at Adj, 3D., and 2d. pc
pound. They were readily bough
M. mostly by Americans, who woul'
probably have paid double thos
prices for the few obtainable.
DR.. Wray strongly urges the De
partment to continue the experiment
and. heliayes that Femgneretiv
up in England. Several dealers hav
expressed wish for further supple
and it has been suggested that hole
be made in the barrels for ventilation
Mr.. William A. Taylor, Assistan
Pomologist, reports that the ten bar
rels of sweet potatoes shipped to hin
were discharged at Southampton, anC
after being held there some days h'
was notified by the forwarding agen
at Southampton, that the Frencl
customs officer at Havre, refused Il
permit the shipment to enter his por
Oh Tue SIOu4Q blldC ali pObdbOCoi vi
America were prohibited entry lnt(
France by an official decree. Direc
tions were then given to forward the
consignment as 'yams," which wal
not prohibited entry. The goods
reached the exposition April Goth.
Upon opening the barrels the CON
tents of most of them were found tc
be in bad condition With the ex-
ception of two barrels, the potatoes
had, apparently, been chilled, and il
some at least one third of the speci-
mems were rotten. About five barrels
OF the best stock was displayed April
21st, and Mr.. Taylor requested jury
consideration, but this was not grant
ed, because the exhibit was received
after the jury had completed its work
for the horticultural competition.
| The exhibit aroused much interest
| az Was eVidenced bV inOuiries of Dpr-