Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-11-25
POTATOES.'

The asriculturists of Prince Edward
Island, one of the most successful po-
tato regions of the world, with
yearly crop of six million bushels, say
that manure pollutes the potato ana
disposes 1t to rot before and after ois-
ging. Newly cleared woodlands yield
large crops for many successive years
without the addition of any fertilizer.
10 aid exhausted soil commercial
fertilizer is used. 1t has been fouhd
that lime, clinkers, and coal asheS
thrown on field Will set up scab, IT
would thus appear that this disease
may be due to mechanical irritation
in the soil. TO prevent rot great al
tcntion Is given to the time of dig
cling The hest time has been found TO
be when the tops begin to gro"
dark green. not when they have turned
black. When the latter happens, the
potato has already begun to rot. by
observing these methods white,
smooth. rounded root of medium size
is secured.
In Europe just now there is n lively
demand for potatoes. France has had
a poor year in both wheat and pota-
toes Large importations from England
are taking place, and prices nave
taken sudden rise. The eastern po-
Embarrassing counties OF England,
which include Yorkshire, Lancashire.
and Norfolk are being searched for
supplies to ship TO France. Germany
has also been sending great quanti-
ties into France, but as the yield IN
the former country Is believed to be
about one-ffth below last years crop.
that source of supply will soon be
closed. Since England cannot supply
all that will be needed. resort to this
country will probably be necessary.
Prices at the end of october varied
according to quality from $3.50 to
SIT per ton. But ii the demand keeps
up, and it appears likely to. the price
is sure to rise, and may reach as high
as $50 per ton, or even higher.
In 1908 POTATOES were shipped from
England to America; but this year n
considerable movement in the other
direction is indicated.
In France by decree in 1875 the
importation of American potatoes
as prohibited, a measure of protection
deemed necessary ut that time, be-
cause of the potato disease somewhat
prevalent here Az soon. however as
1t became apparent that large i'm
H.. ~ u,Irr
demand and with Il view of nrrestins
the great advance already made in the
price of this common article of food,
the French chamber of commerce
laid the matter before the department
OF agriculture The arguments for the
withdrawal of the decree of 1875 were
presented both in writing and b. per-
sonal Interview. 1t was explained that
the reasons for that decree. justitlable
as they may have been, had long since
passed away: that the existence of the
decree. therefore, had ceased to be
threatened to become an undue dis
crimlnation against the United States,
Emphasis was laid upon the fact that
since imports OF potatoes were really
necessary for the needs of the coun-
Try it seemed to be the proper moment
to remove this prohibition.
The department Of agriculture re-
ceivei with attention the arguments
thus set forth. seeing the Importance
OF taking the matter under immediate
consideration, but It was deemed nee
ccssar'' that the question be submitted
to scientific examination in order that
the government might be assured that
there was no danger of disease by the
admission into the country of hmeri-
can potatoes. The technical commits
sion which studied this matter acted
promptly and made favorable report,
which was followed by the presidential
decree OF October 5, 1910. BIZ this act
the obstacle is removed aud the way
IS opened to American exporters
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