Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-02-22

Total 'AVV'o
although of course variations In these proper
lions, depending upon soil, climate and me.n-
DDS of cultivation, are to be expected. IL ID
evident, therefore, that the potato is not a per-
feet food, and that it lacks sufficient miro
gepous matter while having a 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 tho 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 to learn how to prepare
potatoes.
The grand total of potato production for one
year amounts to about 5,50O,00O,00 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 a little less even
than that, from Austria-Hungary; about one
ninth from France; about one-sixteenth from
Poland, and a slightly less quantity from (con-
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
east of the Mississippi river runs a close sec
ond; of the other subdivisions, the Contra
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;
1t is very susceptible to Innate and cultivation
Left to nature, it is only a moderately pro
life plant, and cannot thrive In a country toe
hot or too cold, but has its habitat essentially
in the temperate zone; on the other hand, 1t
responds readily to good care, so that the
more It is nursed the better does 1t 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; we'll supplied with organic matter, yet nc
more than moist, and containing abundance Of
natural fertilizing 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
beSu pleCSS SuOulu U6 ulOppSu dDOuI IL luCuSi
apart in burrows made in the level field ant
not on the ridges, yet deep enough-say fouI
inches-to afford ample cover to them. 1t mus
be mentioned that in speaking of potatoes thu
word seed" means the tuber or portions GU
from 1t in which an EYE" has formed; thu
botanical seed may be used, but no benefit Il
derived from that method; care must b.
taken, however, that the sprouts from the ey'
are not injured, and it is best, therefore to ust
eyes from which sprouts have not appeared
The uses Of the potato as a food have Ions
ago been indicated. Nothing can dislodge ii
Not even the latest discovered dashen, a Jap
anese and Chinese claimant to tuberous popu
larity, will take its place, even though /
may be proved to possess more protein thai
the South American predecessor. Whole book
have been written on the culinary art of cook
ing the potato. Boiled, baked, stewed, C.
fried, 1t has been a g~arnishment to the NOR,
aristocratic dishes Of every feast since 1t wa
discovered, and has supplied many a full mea
to the humble masses who do the world,
work. Nothing but a poem could tell it
praises, and a sonnet Is the least trlbut
through which our gratitude to Peru should b.
expressed.
AS a source of industrial alcohol, especiall
that substance which is commercially known a
denatured alcohol, potatoes are being regarde
as Of increasing value.
Next to food, however, the greatest value t
mankind of the American potato is a sourc
Of starch. In this, too, it vies with corn. Pc
tato starch Is every year proving its meri
and whatever can provide starch, has o Ion
popularity ahead of itself. Starch Is one q
the essentials of civilization. Its uses are prt
team, the demand for it ia unceasing, and 10
both art and industry the supply must lie cCf
slant. With such a varied field for itq acti,
ity, therefore. no one should doubt tNe. fe,
blessings to humanity can surpass that whic
came to the world through the famour nsta:,