St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-01-16
TALKS IRISH P0T
TOES TO BIG CROWD
81. y. B. Joifrioa TeIEs Fsrmsrs that lhera ii
Money q the CFop, and
Al WAYS A READY MARKET
Emphasizes ihe Point 70 Plant EaFIy and Get
Crop 10 Markei As saoH IS Possible-TWo
Crops II 0ae Year.

PLANT your potatoes early, dig
them as soon as they are large
enough for market, and rush them
to market
This epitomizes the address Of Mr..
W. R. Jotfrion, Of Alexandra, a
large potato grower, at q meeting of
farmers held at the courthouse Mon-
| day evening
There was a large crowd Of farm-
/ ers present, and all paid close atten-
tion 10 the address. After the talk,
the speaker was beseiged with ques-
tions from the audience, demonstrate
ling the fact that The farmers of st.
Landry are interested in change
from the old method Of planting cot
ton only. It shows that The farmers
realize that the time has gone by
when they can sit serenely on their
gallery with pipe in mouth and watch
nature do the work for them; that
the present demands energetic, IN
telligent exertions on their part.
There was very little 'beIlyaching,
as Randolph of the Signal would say,
about hard times, among those pres
ent at the meeting. On the con-
trary, their talk and actions spoke
plainly their faith in the future, their
confidence ia the country, and their
determination to buckle on their
armor and 60 in the fight to win.
Why shouldn't they feel cheerful?
The boil weevil hasn't harmed a bit
the fertility of our soil, the balmy
climate, the glory of this garden spot
Of the Southland. No little bug, nor
armies Of little bugs. can do this.
The pest has temporarily crippled the
farmers just crippled them, that's
all BY coming upon them unexpec-
tedly; but now The farmers know the
enemy, and they have at hand the
means to combat him.
Mr.. Joffrion told Of how four years
ago he was planting all cotton Two
neighbors, experienced in The culture
Of Irish potatoes, began planting
them. He followed suit; watched
them, and did as they did. he ordered
three hundred bushels, but a hard
freeze came on. He protected his
seed potatoes as we'll as possible,
drying them with furnace, and
when the weather permitted, he dis
tributed them among his hands. He
was 50 gratifed with the results that
he increased his acreage, and the
third year found him planting $50
acres. He has found the crop much
more profitable, and the market more
certain, than cotton, and intends con
tinuing planting potatoes. Last year
the market was congested on account
of a surplus Of the year before on
the maaket, but this year, he thought,
would see a good market, for the
reason that seed potatoes were sell
ing at a high price "a I. D. b.
Opelousas and this shows that there
is no surplus.
Weather conditions, he said, con-
trolls The time of planting potatoes.
In q mild winter, such as we had last
year, they can be planted about the
middle Of January, or even earlier.
This year he viii plant in February,
and expects to have his entire crop
in the ground by the 18th of chat
month. Don't plant in March, as the
potatoes will reach the market too
late to commend q good price. The
market declines about the 18th Of
May. The fall crop should be plant
led in August, and It can be kept IN
the ground until January, il 50 de-
sired. Plant seed secured as far
North as possible, the Minnesota
Triumph being the best marketable
potato in fact. the only kind that
should be planted in this country,
They will produce q crop fifteen days
earlier than the home grown. Green
potatoes are the best for the market
don't wait until the potatoes are
ripe; as soon as they are large enough
for the market, dix and sell with q
rush. Fertilize with cotton seed
meal and acid phosphate 5 per cent
meal and 25 per cent acid phosphate.
Don't use stable manure; It will make
the potato scabby and unstable.
Old cotton land will also tend I'd make
the potato seabby. Pea vine land
and corn land are the very best for
Irish potato culture. Make rows S
and s e feet. Handle them care
fully when bringing them To market.
taking care not 10 bruise them. Load
| Id wagon with fiat body, ID that the
potatoes viii not be injured by throw
/ ing them over 1 high body. A pota-
4 To must not be large 10 command The
best market price. Don't plant small
potatoes they are degenerated, and
viii make Is days later than good