The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-03-07

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although of course variations in these propor
tions. depending upon soil, climate and meth
DDS Of cultivation are to be expected. IL Is
evident therefore, that the potato is not per-
feet food, and that 1t lacks sufficient nitro
genous matter while having superabun-
dance of starch and sugar That does not de-
stroy it's value nor it's usefulness. by any
means, nor it's popularity. for next to In
dian corn and rice, the potato is the most wide
ly used vegetable in tho world.
Today no hopeful settler after trecking into
virgin Wilderness thinks his little garden
complete without the pretty patch OF potatoes;
no domestic or public meal is served without
it's tuberous establishment, and after master
ing the art of boiling eggs, the next step OF
the young housewife is to learn how to prepare
potatoes.
The grand total of potato production for one
year amounts to about 5,5OOOOO,OOO bushels
and this gigantic crop comes from every con-
tinent in the world. Over onefourth of the
output is grown in Germany; not quite one
eighth from Russia; usually little less even
than that, from Austria Hungary; about one
ninth from France; about one-sixteenth from
Poland. and slightly less quantity from ICON
tiguous) United States.
In the United States, almost onethird of the
years crop is grown In the North Atlantic
states but the group of North Central states
east of the Mississippi river runs 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 to climate and cultivation
Left to nature it is only a moderately pro-
life plant and cannot thrive In country too
hot or too cold but has it's habitat essentially
in the temperate zone; on the other hand, IT
responds readily to good care, SO that the
more 1t is nursed the better does it 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 nc
more than moist, and containing abundance OK
natural fertilizing ingredients. Well drained
sandy loan is excellent; clay should be avoid
ed Crop rotation is advisable, as the potato
bears we'll 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 as practicable without interfering with
horse cultivation, and generally speaking the
seed pieces should be dropped about IL inches
apart in burrows made in the level field and
not on the ridges, yet deep enough-say four
inches-to afford ample cover to them. 1t must
be mentioned that in speaking of potatoes the
word seed means the tuber or portions cut
from it in which an "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
are not injured, and it is best, therefore to use
eyes from which sprouts have not appeared.
The uses of the potato as food have long
ago been indicated. Nothing dislodge it.
- I-A1 0c11a Tn
(anese and Chinese claimant to tuberous popu-
larity, will take it's place, even though it
may be proved to possess more protein than
the South American predecessor. Whole books
have been written on the culinary art of cook
ing the potato. Boiled baked stewed, or
fried, it has been a garnishment to the more
arstocratic dishes of every feast since 1t was
discovered, and has supplied many a full meal
to the humble masses who do the worlds
work. Nothing but poem could tell its
praises, and sonnet is the least tribute
through which our gratitude to Peru should be
expressed.
AS source Of industrial alcohol, especially
that substance which is commercially known IS
denatured alcohol, potatoes are being regarded
as Of increasing value
Next to food however the greatest value to
mankind of the American potato is source
of starch. In this, too. it ves with corn Pc.
tato starch Is every year proving it's merit,
and whatever can provide starch, has long
popularity ahead of itself. Starch is one of
the essentials of civilization It's uses are pro
team, the demand for it is unceasing, and for
both art and industry the supply must be con.
slant. With such a varied field for It's activ.
ity, therefore, no one should doubt that few
blessings to humanity can surpass that which
came to the world through the famous potato.