The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-08-16
Federal POINT
POTATO GROW Err
Makes Statement Showing
Cost and Profit in In
dustrY.

written by Mr.. Bert D. Case, potato
farmer of Federal Point, 10 Secretary
w. B. Royster of the Palatka board OF
trade. AS Mr.. Case goes thoroughly in
10 the question OF cost as well as profit,
the News is glad TO publish the letter,
which it does in the hope that II may
have wide reading among prospective
Florida settlers. We want them 10
know more of Putnam county's advan-
tages as farming section. The follow
ing is Mr.. Cases letter: .,
Federal Point, August, 1st., l9lz
William B. Royster, Secretary
Board OF Trade,
Palatka, Florida.
Dear SIR
Federal Point, Putnam County, Flori-
da, is located on the St. Johns KlVer III
! the western part OF the famous HaShngS
potato section, II miles north OF 1alatka'
The main crop is, of course, irish pota-
toes, no better grade being raised in any
part of the United States. Irish potatoes
or "spuds," is one of the safest vegeta-
bic crops grown in Florida. Inc
planter of this vegetable takes less
chance of losing market, and yet de-
riyes the same advantage as others IRON
an excess of demand resulting in high
prices The reason for this is, that po
tatoes are used universally, and the. de
mand is increasing more rapidly than
the supply.
The Weld of Irish potatoes, in fail
wear. is from 40 to 90 barrels per acre
though some planters obtain around ~
barrels, while those who use tile dram
age and irrigation have obtained as higl
as 120 barrels to the acre.
The cost per barrel, including labor
fertilizer, seed, barrels and hauling II
fact all expenses TO the time the pota
toes are on the dock or at the station, /
r from $3.50 TO $1.95. The freight Il
New York tour chief markell is, by boat
SOS, and by rail $1.O2, per barrel. Ii
} carload Carl, adj lots the rate is SIS. The pota
toes sell in New York and other mar
kets for from SO so to $500 per bb
for No. stock. The first Jew ShiI
ments last spring brought as h'gh
$500. e,o
Potato seed costs from $3.50 10 $40
per 1855 lb. sack, four of which plant a
acre. Fertilizer is used al the rate OF
d ton to the acre, and varies in price, ae
n cording to quality, from about SzoOO |
around $1,000 per ton. That grad
: costing around $780, 90 is very satistactor!
u Federal Point is protected from tro
by the St. Johns River on whose bank
il is located. The frost is tempered
/, crossing this river, which is from TO
t. miles wide at this point. AS the reSu
a of this protection we can plant from
S davs TO 2 weeks earlier, resulting in a
earlier digging, which in turn iAsureS
-. higher price. The first potatoes al
" shipped each year from Federal Poi
g and obtain top notch prices.
le Federal Point is located on hl&
le ground; hence our drainage is Superlc
lie This is an important item in wet Sc
n son. In dry year we irrigate. as
others. by artesian wells, which neV
-, fail TO bring water in this locall'y al
AZ AZ depth of about 200 feet.
,e This locality is well supplied WI
Us Us shipping facilities. There is a lar
lei e dock at Federal Point, with wal
W house, and the railroad station IS on
t 3la miles from the river, making M
of less than this distance for most ol |
ka farmers. We have daily service
Jacksonville by two boat lines DUR
potato digging season. AT JackSonvlI
aS quick connections are made with elti
", rail or water routes TO all northern CHI
sy Federal Point, like other parts
Ear Florida, is blessed with the privilege
20 raising more than one crop during
year. Potatoes, corn and hay may
sn En- be grownSon hs' ,ne and within
%dsVe heGs for some yeeeabmgp TfbmpEs Essach etA
lyS planter might add this to the
his other crops such as sweet potatoes,
he cumbers, rice, etc, may be SubStitu
for one or more of the above IN
,ks main crops.
Ihe Perhaps the best idea OF the poi
" growing at Federal Point can be obi;
- ed from The following figures, tai
or. from our books of last season. IN
BILE potatoes were grown on l-S acres
llso good land, the total acreage we plan
nee on one OF our farms, and not b Is az
zap. picked here and there because OF
pd ceptionaI Yield There are hundred
: acres of such land, cleared and uncl
kcs ed, obtainable in this locality -.
ell. No. of acres planted .,...,.. 6l8
ION . of barrels shipped ,......3 $40
Yield per acre re,..........'.'' ol'''