Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-11-30
POTATOES ARE BEST
WHEAT SUBSTITUTE
FARMERS HOLDING FOR HIGH
PRICES APT TO BE DIS
APPOINTED,
BY +. r. BENSON,

state Commissioner OF Agriculture.
All citizens of the United States
are being urged to conserve wheat,
meat, sugar and fat by substituting
other foods therefor. The potato
offers the best substitute for wheat,
being healthful, generally relished
and easily grown.
Last year a large area was planted
in the state of Washington but un-
favorable weather conditions reduced
the average yield, so it Is doubtful If
the commercial output will be very
much, if any. greater this year than
last, but the total output in the
United States is more than so per
cent greater than last year.
With all the uncertainties of war
markets, many farmers are yet hold
ing this years crop of potatoes for a
high price next spring. The market
has been uncertain, with an increas-
ing tendency to lower prices. Instead
Of using potatoes in greatly increased
quantities and as a substitute for
both bread and meat, the public is
using potatoes with extreme modera-
ton. Many hotels and restaurants,
which formerly served potatoes as a
side dish without extra charge, now
serve them only when specially or
dered and paid for; and the places
which continue to serve potatoes free
with the meal furnish a very small
quantity.
Apparently the families of the state
are also restricting their potato diet.
This economy in the use of potatoes
is most unfortunate condition. We
are not using half as many potatoes
as We should use, and yet the public
will not take kindly to being urged
toward a potato diet with. the retail
price around $40 to $50 a ton, when
people heretofore have been accus-
toned to buying at about one-half
these figures,
Thousands of tons of potatoes have
been stored in pits, which would have
yielded the farmer ready money and
usually a profit at $25. Some farm
ers bought seed last spring at $50 to
800 per ton and unless they were
fortunate in having a good yield, they
may claim that potatoes have been a
losing business at $25. But the fact
is that the public in this state. in
spite of the patriotism that has been
preached and the frantic appeals that
have been made to use -four substi-
tutes, will not buy potatoes in large
quantities at the present prices.
Next spring, II we have a slump in
prices, many farmers may be glad to
sell for less than $40. besides sutain-
ing loss of rs to IS per cent be-
tween digging time and opening the
pit several months afterward. A
most unfortunate result likely to fol-
low would be a shortage Of potato
planting next year.
In most of the European countries
potatoes constitute about 25 per cent
of the diet of the people, while in
this country the percentage is per-
haps one-fifth of that amount. There
is no more healthful diet and 1t is
hoped that the people of this state
will practice food conservation by
eating more potatoes.
If, in order to bring about this re-
suit, 1t is necessary that more reason
able prices be accepted by the farm
ers, there will be little sympathy
next spring for those farmers who re-
fused $25 to $40 a ton at digging
time. Now is the time when people
should buy potatoes and lay in a
stock for family use and for seed next
spring.
This is the year and the season of
the year when we ought to eat pota-
toes. Any temporary glut in the RI
tail market should be taken advan-
tage of by the buyer to lay in his
winter stock. Next spring increased
care in selection of seed and better
methods of fertilizing\ should pro-
duce an increased yield Of potatoes
in this state.
One reason for the farmers specu-
lative notions this year is that last
year the spectators made huge prof.
its on the farmers prices. War meas
ures now in effect will undoubtedly
prevent a repetition of that this year.
year.
The tragedy of the situation is
that while the people of this country
are stinting themselves in the use of
potatoes. so per cent of those stored
in pits on the farm are rotting, either
because the farmer won't sell at
fair price or because he cannot get