The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-08-24
AUGUST / CROP CONDITIONS
Southern Idaho Producer Makes Re-
port on Northwest States.

uC lASt SiOP HuAOI IildNiOH SSAt W
the locals was based on the govern
ments July LIST reports. The 1915
condition percentage at that time was
90 per cent for the United States. This
percentage was not changed in the
August LIST report. The latest yield
estimate is figured at 115.4 bushels
per acre against 1925 last year, and
the prospect of totatl yield includ-
ing every state in the Union of 431,-
100000 bushels against five year
average of 357,000,000 bushels.
One encouraging feature, however,
is that the majority OF the heavy in
crease in yield is in the states whose
crop is out of the way before ldaho's
export shipments begin. The gov
eminent is figuring on a considerable
increase for Idaho over last year The
condition of the crop, however, has
been lowered from SO per cent on July
LIST to 80 per cent August 1st We
think the government is over-estimat-
ing the crop in this state, as the Rail-
road company is figuring on one thou
sand to fifteen hundred cars less than
last year, while we are figuring on
one thousand to twelve hundred cars
less. Our estimates are somewhat con-
firmed by report given by Mr.. w.
G. Scholtz, director Of farm markets
of this state, who has visited the prin-
cipal potato producing sections of the
state, except the country north of here.
Mr.. Scholtz reports that at no place
has even single individual estimated
as large yield as was shipped last
year. 1t is impossible to give accu-
rate data until this month is further
advanced at which time the condition
|of the crops in the different sections
is mostly beyond subjections to wea-
Their conditions.
Summing up conditions, information
based on reports to date would indi-
cate conditions somewhat similar to
last season which will give Idaho
considerable advantage over northern
and eastern potato states in the matter
of markets, but which will confine our
shipments to almost the same territory
supplied last season. If we can only
avoid the October and November rush
of shipments on to the glutted mar
kets, we can get through the season
without loss to those growers who
load their cars in good condition, and
where everything else is equal can
net them more or less profit.
Price Conditions.
We regret very much being forced
to make the same report that the facts
have required being made to the grow
ers SO often before. Namely, our only
competition, and the only condition
which prevents us making immediate
raise of from Is to 20 per cent on all
shipments is the competition in Idaho
potatoes with the growers who are
placing their stock in the hands of the
buyers.
AS an example: Last week inyes-
tigation proved we had shipped every
car loaded in the state except one, and
to date not a car has been sold at
less than $100 loading station, or at
| less than SIPS per cwt. Pocatello,
some having been sold at $1.45 Poca-
| tello When we were receiving these
better prices, our competition outside
the state was mostly from Califor-
mia, whose stock was being sold at
loading stations from 65 to zoe per
cwt. Last Friday their prices had
worked up to 90 and CSC per cwt.,
loading stations, and orders were re-
ceived in this Office at prices ranging
from ST LOO to $102 in orders for from
three to five cars each, which we We're
in no position to fill. This sudden in
crease in the demand and slight adj
vance in price offered, together with
competitive prices, led us to decide to
make a SC raise, and if that worked
thought we would make another sc
raise; therefore, stations having early
potatoes were allowed to load as rap
idly as they desired. Upon receiving
the papers covering this loading we
sent out our wire quotations, but from
every place we quoted came back the
answer that Mr. j c. Jacobsen had
quoted, and in some places Sold stock
on basis of soc per cwt. loading
station Investigation showed that he
had bought some of this stock in the
Deer Flat country at 75c per cwt., as
we are informed and other cars on
the Twin Falls branch at something
near the same price
Now, this is only REPETITION. Every
case in the last two years where we
have been forced to lower our prices
has been caused by competition, and
| in nine cases out of ten, competition in
Idaho potatoes. We presume the far
mers who sell at these prices are
resting pedCeIullv Ill the IIetuOiIi eHCy
have as American citizens, whose
rights we could in no case question.
Also they consider it matter of no
other persons business at what price
they sell their potatoes. This latter
proposition, however, we are not so
sure about, inasmuch as they have
beaten every man in the state who
ships early potatoes out Of at least 15c
per cwt.
| OF course, we do not anticipate that
Mr.. Jacobsen can furnish all these
markets at these prices, but, even
though he cannot, these quotations
have another demoralizing effect;
namely, that of causing the merchants
to withhold making purchases in hopes
of getting stock at these prices. which
condition every year materially cuts
down the amount of consumption,
which otherwise would be made, and
which is SO much needed season
like this.