Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-10-22
What They Say of the Potato Crop.


In a recent issue The New England
Homestead gave detailed reports from
correspondents regarding the rather un
satisfactory promise of the 1907 potato
crop for the pine tree state. An editO-
rial representative of The Homestead re-
Gently interviewed leading commission
merchant of the bay state who has just
completed a tour of Aroostook County
He brings back anything but a flattering
report of the crop outlook there.
much depends upon weather con.
ditions during the next week or ten
days." said he. "There has been an ex.
cess of moisture. In fact, hundreds of
acres have been almost submerged by
excessive rainfall. As a result tubers
have rotted badly in many sections.
If October is dry and conditions favor
the final development of the crop the
yield may pull out IS per cent of last
year. However, this will be the best
that can be secured under the most
auspicious conditions. Conservative
dealers and growers with whom con-
versed say that if Maine gets 90 per
cent crop they will consider themselves
fortunate. Should heavy rains continue
or frost get in some bad work many be-
lieve that the crop will turn out only 80
per cent of last year.
Potatoes are unusually late; some
growers say their fields are a month
behindhand. This renders the frost
problems more threatening than usual.
Reports regarding yields are very ir-
regular. Some tell of as low as 80 bar
rels to the acre, while other growers say
they will get 100 or better.
lowing to the uncertainty from the
yield the market is in somewhat un-
settled condition. Dealers and specu-
lators are not quoting prices for No.
vember and December delivery as is the
case in some seasons. Growers claim
that conditions point to higher prices
and it will not be at all surprising if
producers are very slow about selling
tue new crop. The market last week
held near basis of Is cents to 81 per
barrel f. o. b. shipping stations. Buy
ers do not seem to be active right at
present. 1t is claimed by those with
close knowledge of the Maine potato
situation that about 10 to Is per cent of
this years crop had been contracted at
or prior to planting at range of 90
cents to 81 per barrel"
The Bangor and Aroostook railroad a
short time ago issued regulations re-
gardiug the movement of potatoes the
coming season. These provided that
when lined and fired cars are used for
shipping potatoes, not more than ten
cars can be forwarded from any one sta
ton in charge of single fireman. Not
to exceed FIVE cars can be forwarded in
charge of one fireman from different
stations. No car can be partly loaded
at one station and the loading completed
at another, even by paying an extra
charge. The shipper who desires a car
must specify when making a request at
what point it is to be loaded and desti-
nation. If a shipper orders car from
one point and conSigns it to another,
the station agent can compel him to un-
load the consignment and turn the Car
over to the next shipper in turn, unless
he gets permission to forward the car
under it's original load to new destina-
tion.
The road will set aside number of
cars to be lined by shippers, equitably
distributed. A lined car must be kept
in regular active service and if car is
idle for 10 consecutive hours, excluding
holidays and Sundays, the car and the
lining will be taken by the railroad CON-
pany for the use of other shippers.
Every applicant for a car to be lined is
compelled to sign conditions mentioned.
New England Homestead.