Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1914-05-07
Potato Storage Cellars Aid Greatly
In Marketing fotato Crop.


crop. Prices have fluctuated more
With the potato crop than with any
other staple crop in the United
States. This is not natural con-
dition with a staple like potatoes,
and it is not at all necessary. 1t is
In fact detrimental to every person
Or medium concerned In the crop,
from producer to consumer inclusive
The demand for potatoes is constant
and will continue to be so as long
as the American people can eat. The
annual consumption per capita is
only three and one half bushels and
this could no doubt be increased by
providing a steady market with uni
form prices, instead of a fluctuatLng
one as has always existed in the
past. The potato grower Is direct y
concerned in how many potatoes each
person gets to eat and it is either
up to him or some intermediary to
see that he gets his potatoes in
constant supply.
Heretofore the farmer has been
selling most of his crop within two
months after harvest and most OF
what he sold has to be held by some
one to supply the consumer for the
other ten months of the year. This
brought about the broker and COM
missicn man. They have now be-
come an absolute necessity and the
system thus started will no doubt
continue. The honest broker is need
ed in the business to ass st in the
distribution of the potatoes to the
consumer as the western farmer at
long range is unable to get the pro
duct to him. However it is not nee
essary for the broker to store pota-
toes at his end of the line.
Direct shipping to consuming points
is very essential to economy, han-e
storage at intermediary points shou d
be avoided wherever possible. Stor-
age of the crop is always best at
the producing or shipping end. This
reduces waste ard consequent loss,
and the cuIls which are sorted out
can be utilized for feed.
Cooperative marketing is tie one
great means by which constant sup
ply of potatoes to markets cam De
solved. Individual shipping has not
soIvde the problem and it never VIII
With the great scarcity Of high quail
ty Idaho potatoes in greet many |
of our eastern and southern centers,
it should not be possible for Idaho
potatoes to compete against ldaho !
potatoes in establishing price LOT
same ON these markets, rs has taken |
place this past year.
The Southern Idaho Producers AS
has had a m52hty hard !
fight to maintain fair price for po-
tatoes on the above mentioned mar
kets when commission men ana
brokers bought and sold Idaho pota-
toes at a loss in their attempt to
break the Association. This resulted
in very uneven distribution Of the
product and very low prices to eV-
ery one concerned but the consumer
who had to pay as much or more
for potatoes than years previous. EV-
cry farmer or producer of the crop |
should put his shoulder to the wheel |
and see to it that his potatoes are
not among those which, for malicious
purposes, are bought and sold In d.
rect competition with other ldaho |
grown potatoes. 1t is a question oil
staying with the Association In or
Ter to control the industry so that
he grower makes the prices fer his
commodity rather than the COM
mission man.
One of the best ways to bring
bout cooperative marketing is to
,uiId an Association Potato Cellar,
This cellar should be so situated
hat cars could be- loaded therefrom
4 any time of the year when pota-
oes are in storage. A cellar hold
ne 80 cars of potatoes can be erect
d at a ost of 500 dollars or more
entirely upon how per-
aanent the construction Arrange
aents can be made to pay for the
ellar by charging avery small fee
Or every sack stored. This charge
D be maintained for from threeto
We years or until paid for.
A cooperative storage storage eel
lr has other advantages which
tronely recommend it. Under the
resent conditions an even grade OF
otatoes cannot be maintained with
ut very strict inspection, AID that
ISIS money. By having potatoes
.ored in a cooperative cellar sone
rading outfit would serve for all
Id high class uniform output could
, made. This is very essential in