The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-07
North Side News
SHORT SPUD CROP
kaW Valley Growers viii Cut
Down Their Acreage.
Seed High, Scarce and Hard to
Get, Dealers Assert.

Someone is going to coin a bunch of
money on potatoes next fall. 1t is
the unanimous opinion of Kaw Valley
potato growers and of commission
men dealing in seed potatoes that the
acreage for the coming year will fall
far short of that for 1916. One of
the most successful growers in the
state, a Topeka man asserts that
whereas the normal acreage planted
each year in the neighborhood of To-
peka will average 100, the coming
season will not show in excess OF bOO.
The entire difficulty lies in the i'm
possibility of procuring seed potatoes
These are shipped in from northern
points, the bulk of them from Mime
sofa and the Dakotas- Ordinarily
Kaw Valley growers buy their seed
potatoes in the fall of the year In
1916 the cost was so high that most
! of them thought it advisable to wait
until spring, expecting the price to
drop. Instead of dropping it went up
and is still climbing. Seed sells for
SO to $3.50 a bushel.
Three-fourths of the potatoes in the
Kaw Valley are raised by the big
growers. While few of these
bought their seed last fall. most of
them didn't, and will have to plant a
much reduced acreage. The men US
ually planting from 10 to 20 acres
will in most cases be forced to quit
According to Gene Hayes, North
side commission man, 10000 bushels
| of seed are required to supply the
| needs of the local market. Accord
| ing to Hayes not only are the north
ern crops far short of the normal.
but the extremely cold weather and
the shortage of freight cars have de-
! layed the arrival of seed potatoes and
| farmers will be later than usual in
planting their crop.
The North Topeka drainage board
| election choosing
new board composed of J. B. Billiard,
T. NJ. Forbes and j. w Riley of
Menoken. The voting was light.
When asked today if he would
certainly would. IT don't understand
the foundation for the report that l
would not run for the office as
serted Mr.. Billiard. Il didn't know
that L was elected, but if L was 1 will
certainly serve
The North Topeka Civic club meets
Friday evening at Conwells Chapel.
/ Several matters of Importance will
come before the club. The project
cussed. Several members are also in
terested in a movement for a tree
trimming campaign.
Notes and Personal.
Miss Eliza beth Campbell enter
| taliicu d lew ITle1luS informally IueS-
| day evening at her home 1915 North
jackson street.
S. W. Tillman left TODAY for a visit
to Lincoln. Neb.
E. 5. Thomas, Of Ellis, formerly OF
North Topeka returns home TODAY
| after a business trip to this citv.
Victor council No. 4, X. and l.. of S
, meets Thursday evening at its hall
| 1000 Kansas avenue
Mrs. T. ]. Myers entertains the
members of the ladies' auxiliary this
afternoon.
Mrs. Ralph Campbell will have the
meeting of her sewing club this after
noon at her home, 1O11 North Jack
son street.
The members of the North Topeka
lodge of the Fraternal Aid Union will
meet tonight for a business session al
/ 1000 North Kansas avenue
Irene Winner, of Rochester. was ir
North Topeka Tuesday visiting friends