The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1912-03-29
Potato Market.

Inc commercial CluO nave been TAX
ing some steps and getting some infor-
nation in reference to a potato market
in this city and incidentally to interest
the farmers in this locality in raising the
tubers. They have succeeded in getting
some information and also in creating
some interest in the matter with the
farmers.
Mr.. p. Dahlman of Grandy, Mimi,
made us visit one evening and spoke
to the members of the Club. Mr.. Dahl
man is both a potato grower and po-
tato buyer. Owing to other engage
inents he hardly knew whether he could
get here at all, until the last moment
and only gave US two hours notice, hence
there was not as large an attendance as
we would otherwise have had. and of
course it was impossible to get word to
the farmers out of town.
From him we learned that in order to
have successful market it was neces-
sary for growers to fix upon one or two
varieties of pure seed as mixed lots of
potatoes are not as valuable.
That Early Ohio and Triumphs were
the most salable as these varieties we're
used for seed in the south, which was
the ultimate market for most of the Red
river valley potatoes.
That potato warehouse would cost
from $500, upward, if made frost proof
and with machinery for handling.
That the chief value of a warehouse
was, that the potatoes could be stored
here until the time for shipment for the
south, as potatoes could be kept here,
while they could not be kept in the
south, because it is too warm there to
keep potatoes there over winter. Pota-
toes bough here in the fall and loaded
on cars have to be kept in Minnesota OF
other northern points until spring, thus
making double shipment, and hand
ling, with the natural result on prices
paid the farmer here.
| Early Ohlos are the standard seed for
most of the southern states but Texas
which is yapidly increasing its output
favors the Triumph. In our own expert
euce the latter is an inferior potato to
the Ohio but is fair ylelder. What
southerners want and sell is early pota-
toes-and the early potatoes they ship
to market are so immature that the
variety don't make any difference to the
consumer.
While only some tentative work has
been done it seems quite certain that if
the farmers raised the potatoes that a
warehouse would be built here. Mr..
Dahlman. himself, offered to lease such
house here, If it were built, fol term
OF years and pay eight per cent on its
cost.
1t is however, quite certain that if
farmers raise the potatoes that there
will be market for them. whether the
warehouse is built this year or not.
We have not made any argument in
favor of farmers raising potatoes IN this
country, as we think that needs none.
But we will say that almost any farmer
could afford to give any person five, ten
or more acres Of ground rent free, il that
person would agree on his part to plant
the same to potatoes and keep them cul-
tivated clean Of weeds Indeed we are
not sure that the farmer could not afford
to pillow the land in the bargain. AT
least we know of some lands close to
Pemblna that would be benefited by
such cultivation.
We have heard several near by farm.
ers offer to let any person have land on
the above terms, free Of cost, and think
there are quite q number Of working
rmen about town that could make quite
. little addition to their summers wages
by taking some Of the land thus offered.
FsnnlnE MIL for Sale.
Tanning mill used one season sOskes'
pattern. Win sell q : bargain.
y. 4. NIXON. 4
r E1f