The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-02-23

put forth roots OF It's own.
The food supply in the potato is shown by
analysis TO be about as follows:
Parts
starch etc............. ................. 1913
Nitrogenous matters NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 21
Sugar. ............ NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 3"Z
rat .... ....'.....''''..'. ..'''.''''..'' w
SaIlneS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. VI
water ................... ...........' |oV
lotal .,............... ........,... .lVOO
although Of course variations In these proDor-
tions, depending upon soil, climate and meth
DDS of cultivation. are 10 be expected. II is
evident, therefore. that the potato is not per-
feet food, and that it lacks sufficient nitro
genous matter while having superabun-
dance Of starch and sugar. That does not de-
stroy its value nor it's usefulness, by any
means, nor its popularity, for next TO In
dian corn and rice, the potato is the most wide
ly used vegetable in the world
Today no hopeful settler after trecking into
a virgin wilderness, thinks his little garden
complete without the pretty patch of potatoes;
no domestic or public meal is served without
its tuberous establishment, and after master
ing the art of boiling eggs, the next step of
the young housewife is 10 learn how to prepare
potatoes
The grand total Of potato production for one
year amounts to about $500 600 900 bushels.
and this gigantic crop comes from every con
tnent in the world. over one-fourth of the
output is grown in Germany; not quite one
eighth from Russia; usually a little less even
than that, from Austria Hungary; about one
ninth from France; about one-sxteenth from
Poland, and slightly less quantity from (con-
tiguOusl United States.
In the United States, almost one-third of the
years crop is grown in the North Atlantic
states, but the group OF North Central states
east Of the Mississippi river runs a close sec
ond; OF the other subdivisions the Central
states west Of the Mississippi are next in i'm
portance and the far Western states are fourth.
This illustrates one fact about the potato;
It is very susceptible 10 climate and cultivation.
Left to nature, it is only moderately pro-
ldc plant. and cannot thrive in a country too
hot too cold but has it's habitat essentially
in the temperate zone; on the other hand, 1t
responds readily 10 good care so that the
more it is nursed the better does ii grow
The few rules TO follow in successful potato
growing can be learned by any farmer First
the soil must be suitable, but this is not hard
to find 1t must be light so as to offer no
great resistance to the enlargement of the tu-
bers; well supplied with organic matter. yet no
more than moist, and containing abundance of
natural fertilzing ingredients. Well drained
sandy loan is excellent clay should be avoid
ed. Crop rotation is advisable as the potato
bears well after certain preceding crops, but
may wither If succeeding itself too regularly
Liberal manure is necessary but of the right
kind. The rows should be laid off as close to-
gether practicable without interfering with
horse cultivation. and generally speaking the
seed pieces should be dropped about - inches
apart in burrows made in the level field and
not on the ridges yet deep enough-say four
inches-to AFFORD ample cover 10 them II must
be mentioned that in speaking OF potatoes the
word seed means the tuber or portions cut
from It in which EYE" has formed: the
botanical seed may be used but no benefit Is
derived from that method care must be
taken, however that the sprouts from the eye
not injured and it is best therefore to use
eyes from which sprouts have not appeared
The uses Of the potato as a food have long !
ago been vindicated Nothing can disodge t. !
Not even the latest discovered dashen. Jap |
anese and Chinese claimant to tuberous popu- /
larity, will take its place, even though IL /
may be proved to possess more protein than /
the South American predecessor. Whole books |
have been written on the culinary art OF cook 1
ing the potato. Boiled. baked stewed. or
fried. Il has been garnishment 20 the more /
aristocratic dishes Of every feast since II was 1
discovered, and has supplied many a full meal /
to the humble masses who DO the worlds I
work Nothing but poem could tell it's /
praises, and a sonnet is the least tribute /
through which our gratitude to Peru should be 4
expressed.
As a source OF industrial alcohol. especially \
that substance which is commercially known as .
denatured alcohol. potatoes are being regarded
as OF increasing value
Next TO food, however the greatest value 10 .
mankind OF the American potato is a source
of starch. In this. too. IL vies with corn. Po- .
tato starch is every year proving its merit
and whatever can provide starch has a long
popularity ahead Of itself Starch is one OF
the essentials Of civilization. Its uses are pro
team, the demand for 10 is unceasng and fo-
both art and industry the supply must be con
slant With such varied field for its activ.
ity therefore. no one should doubt that few |
blessings to humanity can surpass that which |
came to the world through the famous potato |