The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-03-09

The food supply In the potato, is shown b
I analysis to be about as follows:
Part
StdlCu, tlC 10
heterogeneous matters Observation-Disclosures. 9
. Sugar -.......... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. J.
oaHhes -......... ....-.- .........' y.
Iotdl lUu.
although OF course variations in these prono1
tions, depending upon soil, climate and metl
DDS ofscultivation, are to be expected. 1t j
evident therefore, that the potato is not pei
feet food, and that it lacks sufficient nitro
genous. matter while having a superabun
dance of starch and sugar. That does not de
stroy its value it's usefulness, by an,
means, nor its popularity. for next to In
dian corn and rice, the potato is the most wide
ly used vegetable in the world.
To-day no hopeful settler after trecking into
virgin wilderness, thinks his little garden
complete without the pretty patch Of potatoes;
no domestic 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 5,500,000,0O bushels
and this gigantic crop comes from every con.
tinent in the world. Over one-fourth of the
output is grown in Germany; not quite one.
eighth from Russia: usually 4 little less even
than that from riaHungary; about one
ninth from France; about one-sixteenth from
Poland, and slightly less quantity from ICON
tiguous) 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
aEt <,f friyar ,1,.
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 enc fact about the potato;
1T is very susceptible to climate and cultivation.
Left to nature, it is only moderately pro-
life plant, and cannot thrive in a country too
hot Or too cold, but has its habitat essentially
in the temperate zone; on the other hand it
responds readily to good care. so that the
more it 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 he 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 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. It 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 must be
taken, however, that the sprouts from the eve
are not injured. and it is best therefore to use
eyes from which sprouts have not appeared
The uses of the potato a food have long
ago been indicated Nothing can disodge 1t.
Not even the latest discovered dashen, JAP
anese and Chinese claimant to tuberous poDu-
arity, will take its place, even though 1t
nay be proved to possess more protein than
he South American predecessor Whole books
lare been written the culinary art of cook
ng the potato. Boiled baked, stewed. or
RED 1t has been garnishment to the more
'rlstocratlc dishes of every feast since it was
discovered, and has supplied many full meal
o the humble masses who do the worlds
york. Nothing but poem could tell it's
raises, and sonnet Is the least tribute
through which our gratitude to Peru should be
expressed.
AS source Of industrial alcohol especially
hat substance which is commercially known as
enatured alcohol potatoes are being regarded
S Of increasing value
Next to food, however, the greatest value TO
aanklnd OF the American potato is a sourc.
starch. In this, too, it ves with corn Pc
alto starch is every year proving It's merit ,
i'll
opularity ahead of itself Starch is one os
ne essentials of civilization. It's uses are nro-
can, the demand for it is unceasing and for
oth arr and Industry the supply must be eon
-ant With such varied field for its a,ifv.
y, therefore, no one should doubt that few
lesslngs to humanity can surpass that which :,
anne to the world through the famous rotate