The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1905-07-13
A Great Falls Potato Story.

A few days ago there appeared in
the Tribune an account OF an expert
ment by a Great Falls man in grow
ing "vineless. or "topless, pota-
toes, the purpose being to produce
ne~ potatoes at any season, to cause
more rapid growth than under nor
NAL conditions and To produce
much greater quantity OF potatoes In
given area than may be produced
In the natural way. Al that time,
the experimenter would not consent
that his name should be made public,
he desiring first to have the approval
of scientists to whom he had sub
mitted his discoveries. He now
states that his experiments have been
commended by the United States
government to such an extent that
he has been notified that he will be
granted the patents for which he
has applied, and while he is not vet
prepared to reveal his secret, lie has
given permission that his name may
be made public.
The inventor is W. u. Darst, re-
siding at 2i5 Eighth street south,
and at that place he has conducted
and is now conducting his expert
ments. Mr.. Darst has been resi-
dent of Montana for about six years
and for the past two and one-half
years he has made bis home In this
city. He was formerly "A resident OF
Chicago, where he was employed as
chef at one OF the leading hotels
When the Grand hotel was opened
under the present management, he
came to this city and was In charge
Of the kitchen at that place, but he
recently gave up his position and has
been devOting much of his time to
the perfection OF mis- potato-growine
process.
II have received notice from thC
patent Office" said Mr.. Darst that
my applications for patents for whaI
| call my incubator and for what
term my mixture have been favor
ably passed upon by the government
scientists who were Investigating
their merits and while / desire I,
keep my process secret until l shal
have received the patent, IL is m,
purpose to reveal to the public, IL
due time, the nature OF my process
and shall then invite the public t
call at my home and satisfy them
selves as to what | can do. AT pres
ent | will not demonstrate to anyone
except those friends whom ! have al
ready invited TO call, what | hay'
accomplished. have not yet re
vealed to any person the secrets o
my invention, but believe | hav
convinced several persons that ! ear
do all that claim.
"For my invention, | claim thes
things: | can cause potatoes to groS
and develop to any size without tn
formation of any vines or Tops.
can place potatoes the size OF hens
eggs on the market within 30 day
from the date of planting the eyes.
can raise 10000 bushels OF potatoe
to the acre in an incubator only
feet in depth, and that depth may
increased indefinitely. with a CORE
spending increase In the yield OF
given area and the cost OF installin
: plant Is feet deep and covering a
acre OF ground will be not to excee
81. 500, while the cost OF cultivatio
OF the potatoes will be only ~ pt
ton. | can place new potatoes upo
the market at any time Of the yea
}. and l can secure as high as s cen'
= per pound for them at certain season
in the markets OF Chicago.
est should be explained that,
speaking of plant Is feet deep,
do not mean Is feet under gronnC
The incubator may he built up el
tirely above ground. No digging
}. required. And when l speak OF Il
potatoes being at depth of 10 fee
mean Is feet from the top OF u
incupator. The lower layer, while
feet from the top OF the incubato
may rest upon the surface of Il
earth
"For my invention, IL IL will
what l claim for II, l have been G
fered the sum OF slOO, 900 in cash; b
several friends have advised me n
to sell at that price, aad may refu
to do so. l believe my discovery
worth more, and should like TO ;
1t controlled In Montana, in ord
that there might be established he
the greatest potato-growing indust
In the world But / am poor ma
s money will be necessary to realize
the invention, and may yet
forced to sell my secret. 81 am wi
ing To describe briefly nay process.
4 was not prepared to make public al
" thing concerning II until had
- cured my patents, hut the Tribu
NJ anticipated my intentions. and sir
,e the government has passed favoral
upon my applications. 1t will DO
harm to say more
In a box that call my 'ineub
or, which is simply frame stru
ure. covered with glass, raise
,..,fafn.S This hoy 4nax ha of A