The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1914-01-27
OF INTEREST TO SPuD GROWERS
Z. 4. Stephens Tells How to Grow
Potatoes.

W
by John U. Mcpherson, Pocatello, Ida,
was very interesting and developed
many points of interest. 1t is now gen.
orally agreed that Idaho is already
surprising Colorado in the ability to
grow potatoes Of superior quality, in
large quantity and with substantial
profit The discussion developed many
interesting points regarding the Sc
lection of suitable soil, rotation of
crop, methods of cultivation, and not
least in Importance, marketing. In
the year 1912 the potato market was
overcrowded, with the result that I'M
der 1912 methods of marketing prices
ruled very low.
This lead to the formation of an
association as branch of the North
Pacific Distributing Association. Mr..
Mcpherson is actively engaged in the
organization of this association, and
in the development of better methods
of marketing. In the opinion of Eu-
gene Grubb, noted potato authority,
southern Idaho is one of the most fav-
ored potato raising sections in the
world The possibility of growing
very large crops in this district is in
Dictated by the fact that with suitable
culture and rotation of crop, four hun
dred sacks of potatoes have been
grown on one acre, and crops Of two
hundred to three hundred sacks are
quite frequently secured where rota-
ton of crop, selection of seed, and
methods of culture have been such as
skilled experience advises In south
eastern Idaho some parties cultive
large acreage. Beasley Bros, of Idaho
Falls, annually grow 500 acres. Other
parties grow potatoes by the hundreds
of acres, but perhaps the majority Of
the growers cultivate ten to fifty acres.
The cost of growing. Where me-
thods of rotation are such as to grow
very large yields per acre, with seed
grown in selected plots, and with up
to-date machinery, Beasley Bros have
by carefully kept accounts demon
strated that it is possible to grow po-
tatoes and haul them nine miles to a
station at a total cost of 35c per hun
dred pounds. This on yield of three
hundred bushels or more per acre
Rotation of Crop.
To guard against disease rotation
of crop is essential. Grain one year,
alfalfa two years, potatoes one year,
beets one year, has proved success
full rotation in regions about Idaho
Falls. 1t is not considered wise to
grow potatoes two years in succession
in the same field, lest fungus diseases
should creep in. The fertility of the
soil must be maintained The large
amount of vegetable matter secured
by turning under alfalfa has proved to
be an essential factor in securing most
profitable crops.
Selection of Seed.
The most skilful potato growers
send men with forks through their
potato fields selecting by appearance
the most promising hills, judging by
the vines. If the hills develop ten to
fifteen potatoes and most of them are
of good average size with shallow eyes,
and no evidence of disease, the better
potatoes from that hill are saved for
seed, hut if the yield turns up a dozen
potatoes of which considerable por-
ton are small or otherwise defective,
no seed is selected from that hill.
Each up-to-date grower has seed
plot on which he grows the finest pos
sible potatoes for seed purposes. Each
year he selects the very best from this
plot for his general field and his next
years seed. BY selecting the very best
seed from year to year and planting
on the most favorable soil it has been
found possible to lessen the depth of
the eye, to improve size and quality
and to largely increase the production
Selection of seed for planting. If
| potatoes are very abundant, some
| plant whole seed The more usual
method, however, is to plant one-hali
or one-quarter of the potato and some
cut to two eyes.
Marketing.
Under the old method of marketing
it was not unusual to sell the larger
and better potatoes and plant the
smaller The potatoes were also sack
ed without regard to size and some
times mixed varieties were placed il
the same sack. Under present methods
of selling, potatoes are marketed il
three grades. The blue tag grade is
marketed in sacks. The blue grade
comprises potatoes sound, clean, will
not more than 5 per cent of irregular
ity in size and shape, no SECOND
growth, and only one variety in a sack
These potatoes are medium size, ant
ShOuld sell on any market. The eXtr;
fancy grade comprises large potatoes
with shallow eyes, good surface, ant
go largely to high class hotel trade
An effort has been made this season
to market an especially choice grade
of white potatoes, very even in sizt
and form, in boxes. A certain elias!
of trade will even pay the cost O
wrapping these potatoes in paper
These boxed and wrapped potatoes a
this time are selling at from eighty tt
ninety-five cents per box
Highest yields have been secured
from the variety called Idaho Rural,
potato very similar to Rural New
Yorker, Carmen No. 2, and White
Pearl In order of productivenes
they are followed by Melted Gem, ant
Burbank. Early Ohio and Eureka ar,
planted for early.
Cellar Storage.