Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-03-08
FARMERS COOPERATE TO M
PROVE POTATOES.

" INV chi'ou otdtts IL Shall at pres
ent AZ compared with Europe-in
fact, we OF this country have In the
past been meat eaters; the people OF
Europe are potato eaters. Economi-
cally. however, we are rapidly ap-
preaching the condition that has
given the potato such great impor-
lance In the old world; that is. where
In the past meat was plentiful and
cheap In this country. II is now high
priced. with but scant prospect of It's
ever becoming cheap again. Hence.
az the price OF meat advances we
must expect corresponding increase
In the consumption OF the cheaper
foods.
The potato il grown In every state
OF the Union, yet the main crop is
produced for market In few OF the
northern states only. II we study
the potato industry. we will find a
great difference In yield per acre.
cost OF production and quantity of
ldaho's position stands well toward
the head In this analysis. particularly
as to high yields. cost of production
per acre. and quality. The potato
OF the eastern states is produced only
at Il e expense OF large
quantities OF high priced. COM
mercial fertilizers. which are not
needed In Idaho. Diseases and in
sect pests make expensive spraying
necessary In those states-another
item not In the list of the Idaho
growers expensebill. Soils. rich in
the mineral elements OF fertility, a
congenial climate, and almost con-
slant sunshine during the growing
season, with moisture when IT Is
needed. give the Idaho grower a con-
troll OF the crop that almost insures
a high average production.
Only High Yields and Good Quality
Pay.
On the other hand. Idahos geo
graphical position is such that the
crop must be hauled long way to
get into the great potato markets OF
the country. This does not mean
that Idaho cannot proftably pro-
compete with other states In those
markets. but It does mean that good
quality potatoes only must be grown
and shipped to the distant markets,
II we are to maintain and develop
the industry. Dirt. culls. cut or
bruised potatoes. or potatoes OF un-
desirable variety. are an economic
waste when hauled to distant mar
kets. Bringing profit TO no one, ex.
cept possibly the railroads, and they
would prefer not to haul them.
Many OF our better growers real
ize that, IL Idaho is to have the grea'
permanent potato growing industr,
that the natural conditions warrant
we must have better Standardization
OF the crop and better understand
ing by all growers as to what consti
tutes profitable potato growing.
Growers Organize.
With this In mind. a few OF thu
best potato growers In the state helt
a conference a short time ago ant
organized an Idaho Potato Growers
Association. This society has for IL
objects:
First: Establishing uniform
standard for Idaho potatoes;
Second: Correcting the nomencla
ture OF the potatoes OF the state
many varieties of which are at pres
ent misnamed.
Third: Securing information a
to crop conditions over the Who'll
country and disseminating the sam
from time to time among its mem
bers.
Fourth: The general co-opera
ton among the growers OF the stat
to the end OF improving and adver
Using the Idaho potato industry.
All members who are intereste
I'm this movement are solicited to bt
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