Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-04-23
FORTUNE in POTATO
RAISING in IOWA
The State is Missing Great 0ppor-
tunities- Production Getting
Less Yearly.

Ames, April 19.-If the great ag-
ricultural state of Iowa lives up to
its potato growing opportunities and
did only as well as the state OF
Maine in producing tubers, its po-
tato growers might jingle $4,000
900 more money in their pockets ev-
cry year.
1t is the conviction of the extern
sion department OF Iowa State Col
lege that Iowa can do as we'll as
Maine, or better, and to help Iowa
farmers to measure up to their OPP
portunities it has just issued an ex-
haustive bulletin on potato growing
in Iowa, for free distribution.
Iowa is not furnishing its share
of the worlds potato crop, declares
the author of the bulletin, G. R.
Bliss. Of the 3O0,000,O00 bushels
produced annually in the United
States, Iowa produces only meager
100000 on the average. More
over" he adds, Iowa doesn't pro-
duce potatoes for home consumption.
Many farmers buy their winter sup
ply. The total yield in Iowa has de-
creased during the six years past
until now many counties import to
supply their needs. During the ten
year period from 1901 to 1910
Maine had an average yield OF 1S9
bushels per acre, while Iowa had on
ly S2.3 bushels, less than half as
much. The gross returns per acre
for Maine for the ten-year period
averaged s102.63 per acre as COM
pared with $41.O4 in Iowa.
when it is remembered that
Iowa has the largest continuous
area of fertile land suitable for corn
or potato production in the United
States, it may we'll be asked. Why is
the average yield for Iowa so low?
Briefly stated, the causes of IoWa's
low yield are unfavorable soil con-
ditions, poor seed, poor culture, In
sect and fungous enemies and un-
favorable seasonal conditions More
drainage, more soil fertility, strong
er, healthier seed, better culture and
more spraying are the antidotes."
Mr.. Bliss shows that potato grow
ing pays in Iowa when properly
managed. He says that experience
shows that at customary prices, re-
turns of $3.50 per acre are easily
possible. One Scott county grower
last fall realized $500 from single
acre. In 1911, an unfavorable year.
forty growers reported to the col
lege an average net profit of s65.26
from their potato crop for every acre
grown. Potatoes may be grown in
Iowa at a gross cost Of 25 cents per
bushel-the experience of many
growers show that. Some men in
the state raise as high as 200 bush
els an acre on the average. TIE
quently growers get from 40Q to
500 bushels on single acres.
Mr.. Bliss points out in the bulle-
tin that potatoes may be grown
without injury to the soil. On the
contrary, he says. potatoes may be
made of positive physical benefit to
the soil. Corn will grow better fol-
lowing 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 culture thoroughly
and Is especially valuable for It's
contribution to the subject OF seed
selection, an important question In
Iowa where no attention has been
given to the matter. 1t is thorough
ly practical and is based throughout
on practical experience and careful
observation Of the best methods.