Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-11-08
MAINE POTATOES.
STATE COULD SUPPLY ENTIRE
NATION.
NOTHING OFFERS MORE PROMISE THAN
DOES THE FUTURE OF MAINE
POTATO INDUSTRY.



supply the entire nation with potatoes.
In 1889 the produetion was e,5i4,2a6 bush
els; in 1903 it reached the stupendous total
Of q, 10000 bushels--and no one doubts
/ that future years will see . further i'm
crease, proportionately as large and NO
less remarkable.
| In 1888 . suggestion that the production
would reach nearly 100000 bushels Of
potatoes in decade doubtless would have
been received With u much scspticism a.
doss to-day, psrhaps, the hint Of 100000
600 bushels half score Of years hence.
| Al matter Of fact, however, in prog
nostication, figures are OF no immediate
avail. The record Of the ten yeas re-
ferred to stands - tangible, definite re-
suit. An estimate Of what the years may
bring forth is in the realm Of theory and
conveys to the average mind little con-
ception Of the great possibilities before
any particular department Of human
| energy.
Solely q matter OF comparison, there
| fore, 1t is proper to state that the field OF
potato production in the State OF Maine 10
practically limitless. Thousands OF idle
acres will respond satisfactorily and profit
ably to the efforts OF energetic and cour-
| ageous men to grow these tubers.
The impression which has gained
ground in many quarters that only in the
northeastern part Of the State 10 there any
| particular advantage In this line ID wholly
erroneous. Aroostook county has won
derful record and Its soil and its people
deserve all the kind words which have
been said Of them, Is we'll ~ the profitable
results which have been won by the
| growers, but the county 10 not alone In
its productivity, its prospects or its OPP
portunities.
4 A similar situation prevails generally
throughout Maine and New Hampshire
along the lines Of the Maine Central rait-
road; in every county there exists TO .
| greater or Lesser degree the same chances
for success in this branch Of agriculture
as have existed in the northeastern sec
ton.
the whole farming region OF Northern
New England 10 overlaid makes an ideal
soil for raising potatoes, providing, - it
does, loan which 10 not too heavy, and
which, except In holiows, IL easily
drained. An ample rainfall Is necessary
and long periods Of sunlight in the grow
ing season afford an advantage, while cool
and clear atmosphere 10 Of marked bene-
1T. In these details nature has been more
than kindly to this region, and it remains
for mankind to comply with additional
requirements essential to winning success
in this field OF effort.
Energy snd experience have brought
about in Maine . method Of cultivation
which, in combination with the gifts Of
nature, has resulted in . production oil
potatoes far excelling that Of any other
portion of the patton.
NAMES BIG LEAD OVER OTHER STATES
The average yield per acre In the grea,
potato growing areas Of New York, Michi-
gan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio and
Minnesota, varying somewhat in location
! and years, 10 less than one hundred bush
els, while in Maine It IL quoted ct from
200 to rs bushels, . prepondsrance oi
opinion favoring the latter figure. While
1 II may Be true that the Maine method Il
moro expensive, the vast diAsrsnce In re-
suits b proof that It 10 far more satisfac-
tory and profitable. Il ID on tbs subssan-
tial foundation afforded by these ngures
that Maine bases it, claim - the nom
pareil potato State, and every indication
goes to show that this proud position will
Be maintained during generations to come.
For many years, because Of the splendid
,~it Ia
the story Of the potato in Maine has bsen
regarded - relating particularly TO that
county-and this II not without reason.
The wonderful opportunities for the
growth of the tuber were realized largely
through the magnificent results which ac-
crued from efforts In that section. These
came about by force Of circumstances.
| NAMES IxxExsE POTATO AREA.
/ 1t was within decade that this realisa-
tion actually came home to the people Of
Maine, and It IL probably true that the
recognition was due to men Of Aroos-
took, rather than the residents OF other
sections. These mon from the northeast
eYn region sought other worlds 70 conquer,
and apparently figured II ont that there
was NO marked difference between the soil
and climate Of Arooslook and thoes Of
other parts Of tho State. Soma Of them.
taking advantage Of the Immense increase
In the value OF tbs potato areas they had
developed in Aroostook, sought for aFabls
lands for the sans crop further 70 ths
south and southwest. and In Piscataquis,
! Psnohscot and 6omsrsst eountiss ct Art,
ana In Waahin~fon IAnaoln WaIhr
eassdahoc, Knox and Hancock counties
Later, they havs found conditions fol
potato growing vary similar to thoss In
| Aroostook.
, That marksd ths beginning Of III pres
emit movement 70 raiss potatoes I'll
through ths State Of Nains-s movement
which hes been growing steadily, until
to- DAY IL prnmiaaa In rnaka Maina tn