The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-08
TE TIMES RIoaoND VA SUNDAY JANUARY 1e11


on this subject. lie was requested TO
state with particularly what might be
accomplished in the Soltn In addition
to what has already been done
The growing OF Irish potatoes as a
truck crop In the SOUTH" MIR. Corbett
said, has assumed large proportions.
thousands OF acres are annually plant
ed to early varieties OF potatoes which
are harvested as soon as they have
reached suitable size. This industry
extends along the Atlantic scaboard
from the southernmost terminals OF
railway transportation to the vicinity
OF the great centres of consumption,
FLORIDA producing a large annual crop
of early potatoes. followed by Georgia.
South Carolina. North Carolina, Nir-
g!nia. Maryland and New Jersey. in
turn. The great carly potato produce
ing sections of FloriGa are centred
around Hastings; in Georgia the Sec
tons are largely confined ~ the vicin-
ity of savannah; in South Carolina a
large acreage is cultivated in the
trucking region about Charleston: in
North Carolina very extensive crop
is planted in the vicinity of Whining
ton; while Norfolk probably outclasses
all other regions along the Atlantic
concerned. This vicinity is one OF the
Oldest and largest potato producing
sections of North America.
Northern Grown Seed.
In growing early potatoes, more
than amy other single crop, the sources
from which the seed is obtained in
nuencc the resulting crop. The prac-
tice which is almost universally follow
ed is to plant tubers OF early varieties.
which have been grown tor several
seasons at the North. The demand by
tulr.
has developed a very considerable In
dustry in some OF the potato producing
regions. notably Maine. Michigan and
Wisconsin. Early varieties which are
especially adapted to truck work at
the South are in these Northern reg
ions, planted extensively for the pur-
pose of producing seed TO be used in
the South.
Nnluc OF Southern Soils.
within recent years there has peen
marked increase IN the use of second
crop potatoes for seed throughout the
Southern potato growing sections. This
crop is frequently grown in the same
land from which the grst crop OF pota-
toes was harvested y novel practice
Tor securing quick growth from second
crop seed has been developed by a
successful potato grower in Texas. lie
has developed an idea which is close
~ akin to the practices OF the potato
growers of the Channel Islands. The
method consists in storing the tubers
OF the second crop in tight building
which. by the use of artificial he3t. can
be kept frost-proof. AT harvest time
the tubers are placed in Slated crates
ana the temperature of the storage
house held as low practicable WITH
out freezing until four or six weeks
before planting time. wncn the tenn
peraturc is raised 10 60 or 20 degrees
This temperature is maintained until
the eyes of the potatoes show activ-
ity"
Mr.. Corbett also discusses in an in
tcrest!ng way the questions OF fcrtiliz-
ing, harvestinGu, digging, packing,
grading ana marketing. With special
reference To the last subject it says.
The perishablc nature Of the imma-
turc potato renders it necessary to
place IL upon the market in such guam
titles only as will admit OF Immediate
consumption Producers in regions
where the growing OF early potatoes
has been extensively developed will an
preciatc this. and have provided for
this condition by organizing shippers
associations, throuh which the crop is
graded. often side-marked ana distri-
buted chiefly in carload lots. The
great advantage of such 81 system OF
selling is that IL enables the brokers in
3 small city or town TO buy direct from
the producer, instead OF through am
other city broker.
1t enables tn. consumer to obtain
fresh products. as They are shipped
direct from the poin. OF production to
The point of consumption Tho plan also
carries other benefits which are OF
great value 10 all concerned,