The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-09

GUARD BIG STATE MARKET

A/AVOAV " S0A-AvAAAO AoOOV AAAe
mended by Department.
| Washington. D. c.. Jan. 9.-Kan-
sas. down in the Kaw river valley Sec
ton. reaching from Topeka to Holli-
day. Is one Of the greatest potato-rais-
ing sections in this country. Natur-
ally. the growers Of ''spuds'' arc vital
ly interested in the quarantine order
issued by Secretary Houston to pro-
vent importation Of diseased dspotatoes
/ The Kansas growers do not want their
crops endangered by the possible
spread of disease.
Omcials OF the United States de-
partment OF agriculture ind it hard to
| account for the storm Of protests
which have followed the action of the
secretary In putting an embargo upon
all disease-infected potatoes from
Great Britain. including England,
! Scotland, Wales and Ireland, Ger
many, Austria Hungary, the remain
der Of continental Europe, the Do
minion Of Canada. Newfoundland and
the Islands Of st. Pierre and Mic
quelon.
Scores of newspapers in various
parts of the country have attacked the
secretary of agriculture because of
his action. and their reasons for doing
SO are difncult to understand, accord
ing to horticulturists, who point to
the fact that less than per cent of
the potatoes consumed in this coun-
try are of foreign import, and that to
jeopardize the American potato crop,
which is more than 80 per cent Of the
amount Of potatoes consumed, by ad-
mitting disease-infected tubers, wouli
be to endanger the supply of one OF
the nations most important articles
of food.
Notwithstanding the great damage
which has been caused to native crops
in the United States by the attacks Of
insects and parasites which have been
imported into this country and infest-
ed and diseased plants, including the
gypsy brown-tailed moth and the
some persons who think that the gov
ernment's action in. placing an en-
barge on diseased potatoes has been
unwarranted and In the interests OF
potato spectators.
Deny . Trust
Some letters of protest have gone 30
far as to say that the action has bene-
flied no interests but the potato
trust AS matter Of fact there is
no such a thing as potato trust in
this country agricultural experts point
out. because the potato market would
be about the hardest thing in the world
to corner" owing to the fact that the
product il perishable and must be sold
in the course of few months, and be-
cause the country's supply is almost
entirely in the hands OF farmers, who
can handle their crop almost as they
please.
The principal objection urged against
the prohibition Of the importation Of
disease-infected potatoes is that the
governments action will result in q
raising of prices Of potatoes during the
coming season, following the reports
Of a shortage in this years crop. AS
a matter Of fact. this years crop
amounts to more than 331. 500. 900 BUSH
els. and il considerably above the aver
age yield for ten years, and is equal
to the amount of potatoes consumed
in any other year on record. excepting
one.
The 1912 crop was larger, but millions
Of bushels of potatoes were not con-
sumed, and were allowed to rot In the |
ground. owing to the fact that prices !
were SO low that the crop in many
parts Of the country could not be ham
died without q loss.
Among the great staple crops OF the |
United States potatoes now stand fifth. |
In some form. the common. or Irish. |
appears on the table Of every person In |
the country, both rich and poor, more !
often. perhaps. than any other article |
of food. excepting bread. The value of |
the potatoes grown in this country dur
ing the year 1918 is estimated to run |
up to $22S,000.000. For expectation pur-
poses, Kansas is understood to be one |
OF the greatest potato raising states in |
this country. Its product largely goes |
to England and Europe, where the
market prices are the highest for the
best quality Of the tuber.
in the United States il improving |
every year. and the yield per acre II |
also increasing. The YIELD however, is |
still far below that of Germany and |
some European countries.
Protect Nations Supply.
The action of Secretary Houston in
barring imported potatoes which were
infected with the plant disease known
as the powder scab" was taken pure
~ for the purpose of protecting the
American food supply, according to
most OF the agricultural authorities
who have considered the situation.
Secretary Houston was careful not |
to pass upon the question until he had
authorities in this country
and had also considered the reports of |
the best known European SPECIALISTS.
The reports of the department of agri-
culture for ireland. of the Dominion
botanist Of Canada, and of the Trans
paal department Of agriculture brought
out the fact that the European agrf-
cultural experts have recognized the /
danger Of the peculiar potato disease
for a number Of years, and that they
consider 1t one of the worst menaces l
possible to the potato supply Of their 1
countries.
The powder scab.'' 80 called il q
bacterial disease which there Il NO 4
known method Of eradication. The
germs themselves remain In the soil /
after the plant has died. investigations /