Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1911-05-12
POTATO PROFITS IN
IDAHO

we near about the romance of
Wheat, the kingly rule of Corn, the
commercial dignity of Oats and Alfal-
ia, of Barley and Rye, and we count
them as sources of great wealth for
those who make the earth their serv-
ant.
But, granting to the grains and for
ages the credit that is due, there are
wide stretches of land in Idaho pro.
ducing cash yields from potatoes that
make the average grain production of
states farther east appear exceedingly
small.
And there are 80 many more acres,
OF the same kind, that have not yet
been given chance to show what
they can do, that the money-making
possibilities of Idaho, SO far as pota-
toes alone are concerned, cannot be
estimated.
Idaho won national publicity in 1910
as the result Of the awarding of prizes
OF $500 and $3.50. given by Mr.. d. q.
Burley Of Salt Lake City, Utah, for
the best and second best yields of
potatoes produced on a single acre of
land in territory tributary to the Ore
gon Short Line, Pacific & Idaho North
ern, Idaho Northern, Idaho Southern
and Payette Valley railroads.
The Oregon Short Line, together
with the affiliated lines mentioned
above, traverses the states of Idaho,
Utah, Oregon, Washington, Montana
and Wyoming, so 1t will be readily
seen that the winning Of prizes for
which there were competitors from so
wide territory was an accomplish
ment Of great Importance to the VIC
torious state and of lasting credit to
the successful growers.
The results of this contest, partici-
pated in by SO many of the most pro-
gressive farmers in the prescribed dis
| trict, were amazing, and the follow
| ing account of those results, with fig
ures showing what the returns signify
In the matter of profits from the land,
should prove interesting to everyone
concerned in agricultural affairs.
Through Mr.. L. A Snyder, the first
prize of $500 was won by Twin Falls
county, Idaho, with the "Dalmeny
Challenge" variety OF potatoes. The
second prize of $3.50 went to Canyon
county, Idaho. through Mr.. w. B. Gill
more, with the "Peachblow" variety.
On his winning acre of Idaho land
Mr.. Snyder raised 645 bushels of pota-
toes, Weighing 1855 pounds. The
culls weighed 4,150 pounds, leaving
1885 pounds of the finest marketable
potatoes, or about 575 bushels.
At 10 cents per 100 pounds, or AZ
cents per bushel, the price Mr.. Snyder
received, the one prize acre produced
in money, therefore, the sum of
$241.74, besides the 4.15O pounds, or
almost 70 bushels, in culls, which
were available for home use.
Mr.. Snyder has given to the Com.
mercial Club of Twin Falls some fur
ther facts showing the possibilities OF
potato raising in his section Of the
country. He reports that from three
acres of land he harvested S95 sacks
OF potatoes, averaging 110 pounds to
the sack. He sold 1900 bushels at AZ
cents per bushel, receiving $500, and
he had rs sacks left for seed.
An average gross profit of s210 pei
acre, when we consider how much
smaller Is the average gross profit
from an acre Of grain, gives the read
er a fair idea of what the intensive po
tato farming opportunities of Idaho
really are
Going little more extensively int
figures, we may safely presume tha
the average family Of, say, five per
sons consumes about five pounds O
potatoes per day. That ought to be {
liberal estimate-a pound of potatoes
per day for each member of the fam
lily, large or small.
The 3S,685 pounds Of potatoes raiset
by Mr.. Snyder on his prize acre o
Idaho land would, therefore, suppl
the potato needs of more than % sucl
families for a year. allowing each fam
lily 1,725 pounds, or 2sA bushels.
1t is fair to say that $50 gros
yield from an acre of wheat Is goo
return. So we see that Mr. Snyder
prize acre of potato land brough
| forth as much money as would eigh
acres of wheat land.
If Mr.. Snyder were to realize fror
: ten acres of his potato land as well a
, he did from the three acres which CAV
, him $500. he would have $2,100 at tn
end of the season, besides more tha
enough spuds for his own use and fo
| the next seasons planting.
, There's real money" in Idaho pot
, toes.
"The combination that won the Blu
| ley prize" says Mr. Snyder, "was th
: most productive soil in the West, cl
mate unexcelled, plenty of water fe
3 irrigation at all times, one of the be'
Q varieties of spuds, and man wit
a some experience and not afraid
J. work"
\ His words make clear the adval
: tages and possibilities of the orego
4 Short Line country. All OF the farr
r ers who entered the contest in whie
Mr.. Snyder carried off first hone
, | cama ont wonderfully we'll Mr. G