The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1912-04-25
INCREASE POTATO CROP.

In a recent month 2,50O,0O0 bushels
of potatoes were imported in the Unit
ed States. This fact has served toy call
the attention of Iowa people to the
fact that if this state, the greatest
agricultural state in the Union, lives
up to its potato growing opportuni-
ties and does only as we'll as the
state of Maine in producing tubers, its
potato growers moght jingle $7,000,y-
900 more money in their pockets every
year.
1t is the conviction of the extension
department of Iowa State college that
Iowa can do as well as Maine, or bet
ter, and to help Iowa farmers to meas
ure up their opportunities it has just
issued an exhaustive bulletin on Po-
tato Growing in Iowa, for free distrib-
ution.
Iowa is not furnishing its share of
the worlds potato crop, declares the
author Of the bulletin, G. R. Bliss. or
the 300,000,000 bushels produced an
nually in the United States, Iowa pro.
duces only meager 100000 annu-
ally on the average. Moreover" he
adds, Iowa doesn't produce potatoes
for home consumption. Many farm
ers buy their winter supply. The to-
tai yield In Iowa has decreased during
the 6 years past, until now many
counties import to supply their needs.
During the 10 year period from 1901 to
1910 Maine had an average yield OF
1S9 bushels per acre, while Iowa had
nyol S1.3 bushels, less than half as
much, The gross returns per acre for
ed s102.63 per acre as compared with
$41.04 in Iowa.
When it is remembered that Iowa
has the largest continuous area of
fertile land suitable for corn or pota.
to production in the United States,
it may well be asked, Why is the
average yield for Iowa so low"
Briefly stated, the causes of Iowa's
low yield are unfavorable soil condi-
tions, poor seed, poor culture, insect
an fungous enemies and unfavorable
seasonal conditions. More drainage,
seed. better culture and more spray
ing are the antidotes."
Mr.. Bliss shows that potatoe grow,
ing pays in Iowa when properly man
aged. He says that experience shows
that at customary prices, returns of
$3.50 per acre are easily produced. One
Scott county grower last fall realized
5000 from a single acre. In 1911, an
unfsvorable year, 40 growers reported
to the college an average net profit
of $6526 from their potato crop for
every acre grown. Potatoes may be
grown in Iowa at a gross cost of %
cents per bushel-the experience of
many growers shows that. Some men
in the state raise as high as 200 bush
els an acre on the average. Ere
quently growers get from 400 to 500
bushels on single acres.
Mr.. Bliss points out in the bulletin
that potatoes may be grown without
injury to the soil. On the contrary,
he says, potatoes may be made post!
i've physical benefit to the soil. Corn
will grow better following potatoes
and so will wheat and oats; though
the latter are more likely to lodge on
potato ground. Mr.. Bliss bulletin
discusses every phase of potato cul.
ture thoroughly and is especially val.
liable for its contribution to the sub
ject of seed selection, an important
question in Iowa where no attention
has been given to the matter. 1t is
thoroughly practical and is based
Throughout on practical experience
and careful observation of the best