The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1917-10-06
Storage Of Potatoes
and Other Vegetables

AT the request OF the uiTeCtoi' "i
Eugene II. Grub, the well-known po-
tato expert, has kindly furnished the
following valuable and practical sug-
gestions for the information Of the
growers of potatoes on reclamation
projects:
An exhaustive study Of the potato
markets, covering period OF 10
years, proves conclusively that the
farmer who has favorable conditions,
who practices intelligent methods In
potato growing, and who stores half
his crop, will show a nice annual
profit during a 10-year period.
The abnormal conditions now pre-
vailing all over the world, which
seem likely to continue for several
years, predicate an unprecedented de-
mand for food products of all kinds,
and to a greater degree than ever
before warrant the assumption on the
part OF the producer of uniform and
profitable returns. More than ever
before in our history we are con-
cerned in the prevention OF waste
and in the conservation of the great
est possible quantities of food
These facts are recited briefly, be-
cause throughout the potato growing
sections are found many farmers who
are not convinced that storage is adj
visable. and who continue to sell di-
rect from the field to the dealer, TAX
ing their chances on striking a favor
able market.
1t is obvious that without adequate
and proper storage there is always
waste. With storage this waste is
largely preventable.
The storage of potatoes is not
new science. 1t has been practiced
for many years, and from the expert
ence of those who have successfully
practiced il, certain fundamental
facts have been gathered and are
given herewith:
First. Potatoes can not be stored
successfully unless provision is made
for the control of moisture and tenn
perature, which can be accomplished
only through good ventilation under
control.
Second. To avoid loss only sound
tubers should be stored. Potatoes
skinned by rough handling, cut
frozen, or in state of partial de-
cay should not be put in storage. The
various rots. decays, and fungi di-
seases Immediately attack such vege-
tables and quickly spread to the rest.
Third. Potatoes should not be
poured or run down a chute through
the roof or side of the walls into the
bins below.
Fourth. Store only clean potatoes,
as soil particles fill the spaces be-
tween the potatoes, preventing the
free circulation OF air and causing
heat and moisture with resulting rap
i'd decay and deterioration.
Fifth. The potatoes kept for food
should be protected from strong
light, which causes them to turn
green and become bitter in taste
Seed potatoes, however, are better
II kept in the light, as the greening
destroys the various skin and germ
diseases.
Sixth. Wherever possible the
farmer should store his crop on the
farm, as harvesting can then be done
with shorter hauls. greater economy
OF labor AMI time. The latter is an
important f,ctcr IL the season OF har-
vest be shortened by inclement wea-
ther. .,.t.
Seventh. Home storage affords
opportunity for proper grading and
sorting, and obviates the long return
haul from the shipping point OF the
rejected potatoes. The unstable po-
tatoes at the present price OF meat
animals have a value for food OF
about $40 per ton.
Eighth. Where farms are of small
acreage, and two or more farmers in
close proximity are growing potatoes,
community storage can be economic
ally constructed with capacity suf-
ficient for the needs of all AT cost
little greater than for the individual
plant. Community storage has a
further advantage in making posi-
BILE carload shipments instead of
broken lots, and in securing better
markets and selling results.
Ninth. The purchase of the grad
er and sorter for community use will
lessen cost and insure its more gen.
eral use.
The Kind Of Storage
Plant Ia Build.
In constructing the storage plant