New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1910-04-23
POTATO SITUATION.

ket for old potatoes in the North
ern centerS has shown decided
weakness. a great many of the
growers in this Stale seem to be
panic stricken ana Az seemingly
ready to fall into the hands Of
the spectators. But there is not
the least cause for alarm. Ac-
cording to the best adviccS the
market for The Southern crop of
potatoes will not be anywhere
near as weak as the buyers would
have the growers believe. There
is. on the contrary, every reason
to believe that the growers Will
be able to get fair prices If they
only have the sense to hold on
and st1aJ off the spectators.
AlrcaJy there arc a number of
representatives of the speculative
element in the field hereabouts,
ready to trap the grower into the
sale of his potatoes al prices that
will give the speculat his prof
il Of about fifty per cent and thus
munct the grower of his just re
turns. If the growers are foolish
enough to sell to the first man
who comes along at the price Of
fcred, price based on the mar
kct for old potatoes in the North
they will have no one to blame
but themselves for their losses but
if they offer their goods to ali
the buying houses Of the North
and accept the best p, ices obtain
able, they will be protecting them
selves and will most probably
reap their own profits instead of
them into the hands of
the buyers.
In discussing the matter, Sales
Manager Hill of the iberia Truck
Growers Association, said that so
far as the market was concerned
there was no need to be alarmed.
Prices have not yet become settled
for the new crop, but according
to his advices the price will not
be so low as has been intimated
by some of the SPECTATORS.
While the old crop potatoes have
been selling for low prices .this
market is no indication of what
the price will be for the new crop.
In determining what this will he
the condition of the growing crops
Ill over the country has to be
aiken into consideration. The |
recent cold snap and blizzard will !
nave its effect and it would not |
De surprising to learn that the
market for new potatoes will be
very stiff. At any rate there
will be q good market right
straight along fAsSen the first of
,eyt month until the new North
'rn crop is about ready to move.
The growers in this State for
ret that the old crop in the North
viii give ont in few weeks. that
'fter that the only supply of po-
atoes viii come from the warmer
sections of the country where
here is an abundant planting but
till not so large as to cause an
'ver stocking Of the market. Then
here is the middle section of NE
south where the new crop will be
cry late owing to the recent cold
nap and practically speaking
he Coast States and coast sec
ms will have the market to them
elves for some time to come.
There is no reason, then why
he grower should sell to the first
IAN who comes along and offers
i'm the cash. The chances are
hat he will get smaller prices for
is goods than if he asked for bids
n them. Just now the new crop
, the Northern market is bring
lg good prices. Some quota ,
ons place the price at from ,
LEO to $500 per bushel. Small !
lipments from New Orleans are !
ringing as high as $3.50 per bar ,
i. The probabilities are that :
he ruling price a month from now >
i'll be in the neighborhood of r
90 per busheN, which is a fair !
,ioo Cor Tho nro.uarr