Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-08
PUTTING THE SWEET POTATO ON
THE MAP.
BY M. E. GAY.

TN HERE has been considerable agitation with ref
to the Importance Of sweet patatoes as a
- food crop to help the present emergency
Since rather thorough Investigations have been made
by county and specialists who work in the eX-
tension division of the state college, during the past
several months, believe in position 10 give
suggestions which may valuable with refer
TO this In the first place, it is useless to
produce the and then let it decay Last year TINS
produced 100000 bushels of sweet potatoes Or
this number 1t is safe to say that at least S'ooVoO
bushels actually rotted good part of the re-
mander practically wasted by improper storage
and marketing practices Therefore II we should grow
2O,OOO,OoO bushels of potatoes during the
present season and follow the methods OF hand
ling the crop have in The past, the world would
be little better off for food during the late winter
and spring than has been this food commod-
ty is concerned, and would be worse off economi-
cally.
work we have Investigated every conceivable
plan for keeping sweet potatoes, and do not hesl
to that the storage houses recommended by
the L. department of the best plan IN
the state but Investigations have convinced US that
the nearly the department plan is followed the
greater will be the
A great deal has been with reference to a mar
ke for this crop. We might just here that sue
cessful marketing consists of than finding
crop to market and then securing buyer for same.
In order potatoes successfully 1t Is
that they should be stored properly and then
graded packed and shipped properly There are thou
sands of farmers in the who would put in good
acreage of potatoes year If they only knew
there would be market. We do not hesitate to state
that there Will be for all the sweet potatoes
which handled indicated above.
fall worked plan for introducing
southern grown sweet potatoes the northern and
markets Briefly stated, the plan is as follows
We secured through the market survey men, whom the
office of have stationed in the principal cities
of The United States names of responsible produce
dealers then arrangement with those dealers to
receive shipments of carefully selected and graded po-
tatoes With shipment sent along receipts
for cooking southern sweets southern STYLE SO
that the could give out with each sale informa
ton with reference to preparing this commodity for
the table. In addition furnishing recipes direct to
customers able in instances to induce
the leading to write the proposition ana
call attention the scheme. Much might be said
with reference to this plan Suffice to say Just here
it worked much better than had anticipated,
that doubtless the will be carried for some
years to come. this time when there Is such
scarcity Of foods of all kinds and in view of the fact
potato short and considering that the
will necessarily large quantities OF
the latter commodity believe now is the time for
southern farmer to put southern grown sweets on
the Once they introduced properly to the peo-
pie of north and west they will hold their
AS food. the sweet potato is valuable when 1t
is properly prepared 1t may be interesting to note
of sweet potatoes will produce $40 cal
cries OF heat whereas pound of Irish potatoes pro-
duces only 375.
This information s given at this time for the
purpose encouraging the farmers of the state
put in a good acreage of sweet potatoes. We have
good deal Of the state and push this
proposition since 1t is getting late in the
advisable to make this appeal through the
press.
The college furnishing of plans and blue
prints the potato storage house Next fall and win
information Will be given with reference to
harvesting storing, grading and marketing the
desiring further information with reference
to this proposition can secure same by applying to
county agricultural agents. where agents located or
O Georgia State College of Agriculture direct
NJ c. GAY.
Field Agent Marketing. Athens, Ga