The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-05-22
BOND WRITES OF MARKETS.

A pertinent question Is being ask
ed by every farmer at this season of
the year. How many acres of grain
hay, potatoes and fruit will it be safe
to plant? Will there be glut In the
market and the results of my toll be
Of no avail?" Let me speak word
Of encouragement, as well as warn
ing to the Idaho farmers. The mar
ket for choice, selected Idaho pro-
duce Is practically limitless. This
class of produce the world wants,
none other.
Los Angeles with its 100000 in
habitants and numerous surround
, ing towns presents large and in
creasing field or market for our pro-
duce, especially potatoes, oats, ap-
pies and stock. OF potatoes alone ten
cars are required daily to supply the
needs of the city. These potatoes
come principally from northern and
central California. The Highlands
potatoes raised in the northern noun
tain valleys are something similar to
our Idaho potato. The Rivers pota-
toes are raised along the Sacramento
and San Joaquin valleys mostly on
reclaimed swamp and tulic lands.
These are very inferior potatoes on
account of the tulic root growing into
the potato. These river potatoes are
depended upon chiefly to supply the
markets. There is also a Salinas po-
tato raised near a town of that name
situated in district Astounding in
sandy loamy soil. This Salinas Bur-
bank is CALIFORNIA; pride. Great
care is exercised in it's packing. Each
potato is carefully assorted and grad
ed according to size and quality. The
potatoes are then carefully packed
in clean new sacks. With the pro-
ducer's brand marked plainly on each
sack. asked many of the produce
dealers their opinion of Idaho pro-
duce and one and all declared the
quality of our best potatoes, apples
and oats were superior to those of
many states and the only obstacle be-
tween us and a good market was the
practice Of planting mixed and infer
ior seed, neglect of grading, poor
sacking and general appearance of
the article on the market One deal
er said nicely sacked car of pota-
toes put up in new clean sacks with
a sample Of the potato in plain view
at the mouth of each sack was the
best recommend of the potato.
The Idaho farmer must awaken
to this fact that in order to sell his
produce each year with constantly
increasing demand yearly, he must
place first, honest value in the article
sold, care in its selection and pack
ing. Always remembering the arti-
Gle sooner or later is brought into
the light and sold on it's merits.
The most distressing and difficult
obstacle I had to contend with was
Idaho's past record in shipping infer
Tor quality. California wants a Bur-
bank potato, clean, smooth, well sort
ed and put up in new bags. We have
thousands of acres of sandy, loamy
soil suitable for raising this high
priced Salinas potato. We can with
a little care and attention supply
this want. A little explanation of
the different prices paid for pota-
toes will aid the farmer in determin-
ing the kind of seed and class of land
used to supply this market. The
Salinas Burbank raised on a sandy |
loan Is quoted about 40 cents per
hundred more than the Burbank
raised along the rivers in low wet
lands, and about an equal difference
In the Burbank raised In the noun
tain valleys where dry, farming Is
carried on extensively. The point
wish to make is let Idaho raise these
Salinas Burbank potatoes for the
California market, thereby competing
for market they can supply, and at
paying prices. California wants
hundreds of cars of Salinas Burbank
potatoes. We have soil adapted to
this potato. Why not raise 1t, there
by turning a part of the stream Of
money to Idaho that today is sent to
other states.
Next week I'll tell you something
of the markets of Arizona; great min
ing towns that could be supplied
from Idaho and the obstacles we
must overcome in order to enter this
market.
T. q. BOND.
AT the final vote on amusements