The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-09

The potato market is still in very
unsettled condition and it would take,
at least, the son of q prophet
to predict the range Of prices before
the shipping season ends.
Shipments from Clay county and
other points in the valley have been
heavy during the past two weeks and
the result is q congestion in the
principal markets. Where the Red
Rivers come into competition with
other potatoes for eating stock the
difference in price is comparatively
slight. It is when the potatoes are
needed for seed that the Early Ohios
from this section command
premium.
Much depends upon the acreage
planted to spuds in the southwest. The
price of seed and weather conditions
will be important factors in determln-
ing whether or not the average num-
Der of acres will be planted. AS the
cost of the seed alone in that section
of the country will be from $50 to $40
an acre many growers will be inclined
to cut down the acreage. Others Will
plant more potatoes than usual.
believing the price this fall Will De
much above the average.
Estimating the cost Of producing
an acre in this section at $50, using
the present price of seed and a yield
of 1875 bushels as a basis. every bushel
will be worth 40 cents on the ground.
Add to this the expense OF picking
hauling, etc.. and the grower must get
so cents q bushel. field run. nextl fall
to cover the actual cost Of production.
If for any reason the yield falls below
the 1875 bushel average the cost OF each
bushel will be increased in proper
ton.
A new factor. both in the demand
for seed this spring and for eating
stock this fall. will be the large num-
Der of small plots that will be planted
in the cities and villages throughout
the country. In many localities there
are already organized movements for
planting every vacant lot to potatoes
and other vegetables. This will make
a new market for seed and the demand
from this source will scarcely be
noticed until close to planting time.
The result is pretty sure to be clean
up of all old potatoes.
In the fall many of these small plot
growers will have more potatoes than
they can use and the local markets will
be supplied without going outside the
city limits. This condition will only
last a short time. but it will have an
important bearing on stock sold from
the field. II the grower expects to get
what his potatoes are worth he must
be in position to hold them until the
demand is normal.
The Packer, the recognized authori-
ty on produce and fruit. has this to
say on the situation:
1--WE do not believe that the Pacific
coast, that is California, Washington
and Oregon, will ship another 100 cars
of potatoes east. In fact doubt IL
they ship anything more east ex-
cept a few cars that may be loaded or
loading now.
I'm Wisconsin, Michigan and Minne-
sofa our leaders are making reports
similar to those which we generally
get the last of April or early May;
they can about count the
amount of potatoes left in the farm
ers' hands. Michigan is perhaps
shorter than the other two states. Ad-
vices from our leaders in that state,
giving the amount Of potatoes on hand
at various stations as compared with
a year ago this time, show the amount
to be only one fifth to one-sixth as
many as a year ago. Practically all
shippers have for the present dis
continued loading table stock. OF
course, many of them have few
cars rolling and they are looking for
q place for them, and potatoes can
probably be bought today as cheap as
they will be bought at any time the
balance of this season, probably
cheaper.
"To sum up the entire situation the
present depression Is entirely a mat
ter of sentiment not based on Jcondi-
tions and we believe that the recov-
cry will be much more rapid than 10
generally anticipated, and with 1t will
kIN.m ~
heretofore. Whether prices will go as
high or higher, we will not attempt
to say. but we will say that it is inn
possible that the government and that
shippers and the trade generally can
be wrong in their estimate as to the
amount Of stock had. Also we are
going to have the largest seed de-
mand ever known. There will be
more small garden patches than ever
before"
The following from The Minneapolis
who are well posted on the market
conditions:
by April is, the consumers will
have all the old potatoes there are in
America said A. N. Bearman, presi-
dent of the Minneapolis exchange.
From that time on until the early po-
tatoes come from Texas, there will be
practically no potatoes. and some time
after the Texas potatoes come the
country win have less than 10 per
cent Of its normal supply"
II don't believe there is a wholesale
dealer In the northwest who has thirty
cars of potatoes" said Charles Hecht-
man Of Osseo. Il have heard reports
of boarding and Of foreign corner,
but don't believe them. These p0ta-
toes would have to be stored some
nIace. nnIe.. they were daatrnYad ard