Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-09-14
CROP STORAGE
Is BIC PROBLEM
Public Safety Committee Sends
instructions to Vermonters
urges Families to Put in Sufflc Gent Po-
tatoes for the Winter, as Local Sup
ply Is Large.

Brattleboro citizens have within the
last few days received the following
from Mason ). Stone, director of pub.
licity for the Vermont Committee of
Public Safety:
The Committee on food production
and conservation of the Vermont Com
mittee of Public Safety has carefully
taken under consideration the prob
EN- OF conserving the crops of the
state. Several meetings have been
held in consultation with those most
Intimately informed as to Vermont
onditions. The last meeting was
held in Montpelier August 81 at the
call of his eXcelency, the governor, and
James Hartness, chairman of the Public
safety Committee and federal food com
missioner for Vermont, TO which was also
invited Commissioner Brigham, Director
Bradlee and the county agents, resulted
in the following conclusions which the
ommlttee submits to the citizens of the
state.
Most Vermont crops can be effectively
tored and marketed through the usual
hannels.
BY the very general and highly com
mendable activity on the part of the
women of the state in canning and pre-
CRYING garden products are being well
AIRED for.
The perishable crops, particularly pota-
oes, are giving the greatest concern. Ac-
cordlng TO government estimates. Yer
mont will produce four million bushels
q potatoes THIS year, an amount consid-
raDly IN excess of returns received hy
the Committee. Several sections of the
tate report blight, one county reporting
ever potatoes than in 1916 as a result
With the needs of the people and the
benefit OF the producer in mind, this fact
rges great caution against wastage, es-
pecally where there may seem to be a
surplus. The reports from Aroostook
county, Maine, indicate a smaller crop
than anticipated.
10 guard against this loss, the pro-
Queer is urged to use every precaution in
he matter of storage. Available storage
hould be utilized to the fullest extent.
Where this is not sufficient the old time
potato pit should be constructed.
The farmers are advised not to create
a glutted or panicky market by hasty
disposal of their potatoes. One dollar per
bushel is fair price for both producer
and the consumer and it is the opinion
of the committee that this price can be
maintained by such precaution as is here
advised.
Consumers are urged to lay in a suffi-
Gent supply of potatoes for the entire
season. Every cellar should have bins
prepared with care to avoid decay and at
tack of vermin. Potatoes will keep in
best condition in storage with temper
allure ranging from 80 to 40 degrees of
ahrenheit
Consumers are urged to make larger
use of potatoes than at any previous
time. There are many ways in which
potatoes may be served that are both
palatable and nutritious The committee
will send out a pamphlet of recipes and
suggestions at a later period. The Amer
lean people have used about four bushels
per capita. This ought to be increased
in the future to six bushels Wherever
possible, each family should lay in sup
ply on that basis.
With respect to marketing potatoes for
shipment out of the state, producers are
advised that the county agents receive
daily quotations concerning prices of po-
tatoes and that the commissioner of
agriculture will furnish daily quotations
through the press of the state. The com
missioner has also investigated transpor
tation facilities and assures the farmers
that there is now no prospect of difficulty
in procuring cars for shipment provided
promptness in loading is practised.
The state department of agriculture,
through it's marketing agent, is in a po-
sition to recommend reputable whole
sale dealers and commission merchants to
whom and through whom potatoes may
be sold Farmers or associations of farm
ers who have potatoes to ship in carloads
should write to the commissioner OF agri
culture, ST. Adams, for list of dealers.
The extension service under the direc
ton of Mr.. Bradee and through the
county agents will render every possible
service in matters of the storage and mar
keting. Avail yourself of this agency.
Don't let anything waste.