The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-02-06
TUESDAY, FEB. ., 1912.
POTATO GROWERS.

y &AG@0 last Y was IA " VA
great events recently held in the north.
west. This industry has become very
important, owing to the high reputa-
tion the product has obtained, both as
to eating qualities and the desirability
for seed purposes. 1t is also a very
productive crop.
The growers have done well in or
ganizing the Clay County Potato
Growers association, to protect this
industry and improve the product
Last year the yield was over 1900, OOo
bushels, and there was an excellent
demand for it all. Organization was
just as essential with these men as
with the apple growers of the west, or
any other class of business men.
The potato r~aisers showed that they
were intensely interested in improving
all phases of the business, by the re-
tention OF their memberships in the as
ISOLATION; this is evidenced by the fact
that the membership fees are not
merely nominal The growers have re-
ceived substantial benefits, and believe
that greater results can b. accomplish
ed in the future. .
The association is not a combine
simply to force prices up. but to Sc
cure increased yields, to prevent seed
degeneration, and to provide protec-
ton against tricksters who have sub
stituted and mixed inferior varieties
in distant markets with the true bred
Red River Ohio seed potatoes. To as
sist in wedding out the latter a dis
tinctive trade mark has been adopted,
guaranteeing the reliability of the
product, and this will be fully pro-
tected as the association in duly incor-
porated under the laws of Minnesota.
The Importance of maintaining
the reliability OF the seed stock was
particularly dwelt upon, and empha-
sized by the experts who attended the
convention for the purpose Of in
structing the growers and carrying to
the latter information which had been
gathered through the medium Of wide
travel, experiment and research;
there wal no feature of the convention
which aroused more interest than that
n principle. Emphasis was laid on
the prevention Of diseases, to which
potatoes are subject, rather than the
cure.
The adaptibility of the soil for the
growing Of potatoes in Clay county
and tributary sections in the Red
River valley. it was conceded, was
such that if properly treated would
bring most profitable results, and
there was no reason why there should
mo- be an increase in the volume of
business and fair returns year by
year.
The unanimity among the
ugurs well. in unity there 10 strength
and while they are still subject to the
old law of supply and demand they
will enjoy a pro rata of the net prof
Its simply by concerted action in
bringing about the production of the
best quality of potatoes for eating pur-
poses and reliably true varieties for
the supply Of the vast demand for
seed potatoes in those states where
only the growing of early eating stock
is attempted-especially In the southL
west, where the growers must depend
upon the north. to a very large ex-
tent, for reliable seed that will grow
and yield the maximum bushels to
the acre.
There is big business ahead for the
potato growers and the reflections
Seen in the gathering in Moorhead, a
few days ago indicate that there is a
determination to go after it by the
adoption OF all the best means at
their disposal-one of the means is
the business like friendliness between
the growers and the dealers, the lat
ter the men who keep in close touch
with the markets Of the country and
all Of the ~intricacies of the business
of the proper selling OF the potatoes
after they are grown. There are iso-
lated instances where a grower pos
sesses that quality of astuteness to
make a good seller. but as a general
thing q successful grower is very La
bic to wade into deep water and en-
counter very dangerous pitfalls when
he ventures into the Notwithstanding
and selling are distinctive lines Of
business N the learning OF that slim
uIated the growers to set together for
mutual benefit,
The potato industry has a great fu-
lure, and it is evident that it is to be
nurtured in a proper and business like
WY.