Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1910-01-28

The principal potato supply of the
entire United States is eventually to
go from Idaho, in the opinion Of E.
H. Grubb of Carbondale, Colo, and
who analysed the spud situation qaite
thoroughly during talk in Twin Falls
just previous to starting for Salt Lake,
where he joined on its northward
( journey the Oregon Short Line com
pany's farmers lecture special,
which will be in Twin Falls next Tues
day.
Grub, who is an expert on the sub
ject, displayed an array Of figures
CLEANED from official sources, which
showed that only six of the American
states grow more of these tubers than
people in those states consume.
The six states yields are as follows:
Maine, IS, 900, 900 bushels; Michigan,
q, 090, 600 bushels, and Wisconsin. 27,-
900, 900 bushels.
Minnesota and Dakota have large
surpluses, but figures of their total
yields are unavailable.
New York produces 35, eOO, 900 to
40, 600, 900 bushels, and consumes s0,-
900, 600 bushels, and imports altogether
Al, O0aOO0 bushels from foreign coun-
ties and other American states.
Colorado, notwithstanding her great
reputation for producing very superior
potatoes, is also an importer, drawing
supplies at times from Florida, Texas.
California, and Kansas. The Centen-
nial state is therefore paradox in the
spud world.
Utah raises only 60 per cent Of the
potatoes she consumes, and Mr.. Grub
takes the position that she ought to
add much to her yield of this product
of the soil.
Grubb's theory is that while there
has not been sufficient potatoes grown
in the past in the older and more thickly
populated states, populations Of those
commonwealth are increasing rapidly
and that the increasing demands for
spuds throughout those sections are
going to be supplied by regions where
potatoes of q superior quality can best
be produced. He declares that soil and
climatic conditions inevitably point to
Idaho as the spot where alone this
prospectively large demand can be
filed. He said:
with present methods the non-irri-
gated surplus-producing states Of the
northern border are not increasing
their potato surplus. From lacking
knowledgs of soil fertility and crop TO-
tation and not producing nor using
good seed stocks. and because of the
prevalence of diseases, these states
are decreasing in their product in the
exact ratio that the population is in
creasing.
Therefore the responsibility of pro-
ducing the potatoes for the entire
United States rests on Colorado and
Idaho. Colorado can increase her to /
tai product materially, but vet that
increase will be immaterial in COM
parison with the large development OF
this business that may be effected in /
Idaho. And with proper knowledge /
of scientific potato work among the
farmers of the Gem state 1t viii soon 1
become the premier among the raisers
of this staple food of all the Nation.
ssMy reasons for these conclusions j
are that by the time the irrigation
systems of this state. are matured there
will be approximately 5000, 600 acres
of land which will De adaptable to
potato culture; and a conservative
estimate shows that with proper
system of crop rotation. there viii be
potatoes in these acres TO the extent
of one-third their area, or 1,OoO, Ooo
acres. These acres will average
Welding 500 bushels per acre, and
total of 500. OOO, 900 bushels annually.
which is in excess of the combined
output of the entire United States at
this time.
.'Where the excess OF potatoes pro
iuced shall 60 when Idaho shall have
attained its premier position IN the
potato world that is expected, is on
passing thought mystery; hut when
he fact is considered that the south
.rn states and Mexico are rapidly IN
.reasing their demands for potatoes
here is abundant evidence to show
hat these countries are going to open
lp large markets for surpluses that I
nay be available for them in this COM