The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-23
By Prof. Thomaa Shaw.

By Prof. Thomas Shaw.
This is one OF the crops that may
be increased through the capacity Of
the farmer to make such increase.
In one respect its differs materially
from the wheat problem at the pres
ent time. The time for sowing wheat
with the reasonable assurance Of sue
cess is nearly passed. Only in a few
OF the northern states can this be done
now with a reasonable assurance OF
success.
May Dampsn Hopes.
This may tend to dampen the hopes
of those who are anxious that we shall
greatly increase the area Of wheat pro-
duction so as to aid in furnishing a sur
plus to the Allies In addition to sup
plying this country.
Prepare for Next Year.
That great increase in the wheat area
cannot come this spring without run
ming great risk OF failure.
The great increase in the wheat may
come next year and the various crops
sown this year should be so grown
that greatly increased area of wheat
may be sown next autumn and next
spring on properly prepared land.
May be Planted Until June.
Happily the potato may be planted
in one or the other OF It's varieties any
in the northern areas until the early
days of June and with every reasonable
hope Of success. where the work has
been properly done.
Will Grow in Any State.
In the far south potato planting be-
gins in March and the crop will be on
the market in early June or earlier. A
second crop may be grown on the same
land.
Potatoes may be grown in every state
in the Union. but the fact remains that
the bulk OF the crop of Irish potatoes
for shipment is grown in the northern
eaus Of the Inter Mountain and Rocky
Mountain region. .-'
Adapted for Spud Growing.
This follows because Of the marked
adaptation in those areas in the cli-
matte conditions for growing this crop.
It further accounts for the fact that
the bulk Of Irish potatoes grown south
from the latitude of the Kaw valley,
are grown from the seed ship
ped from year to year from the north.
Help to Feed Allies.
Every effort in reason should be made
to increase the acreage of this crop.
The time during which planting may
be done makes this possible.
While such increase may not help the
Allies directly because OF the bulky
nature of the product for shipment and
because the crop must be consumed
within twelve months of the time in
which 1t was harvested. yet 1t may help
to feed the Allies indirectly.
FOOD For American Tables.
It may do this by furnishing large
supplies of excellent food for Amer
can tables, thus leading to a less
of wheat.
This would answer. in a way, the
same purpose as increasing the wheat
area at the present time.
There 10 no crop that can be grown
n a wider and more flexible rotation
han the potato. 1t may come after
any crop that has been grown on the
and.
How TO Get Best Results.
This can be said Of few other food
,rops. This does not mean that it
will do equally we'll under all these
The best results may be looked for
when it follows crop OF clover or
alfalfa, or when it Is planted on over
,urned grass sod.
This means that good crops may
De expected from new breaking on. the
western prairies, or on land anywhere
n northern areas recently brought
nto cultivation.
Preparation For Wheat Crop.
In the dry areas of the great plains
country west Of the Mississippi this
'rop may be grown safely on stubble
and, where the sowing of a grain
rop would be hazardous.
And when thus grown 1t takes the
lace OF the summerfallow and makes
N excellent preparation for the wheat
rop that may follow the next year.
When growing potatoes, therefore,
preparation. in one of its best forms,
) being made for growing wheat.
When to Do Flowing.
When preparing land for potatoes
n northwest areas, the blowing may
70 done any time from the opening
4 spring until the planting OF the
rop. and what is even preferable the
Irevious autumn.
The longer the blowing precedes the
'lanting of the crop, as a rule, the
more suitable will be the condition of
he soil for planting, as It gives OPP
to sprout. weeds and kill
hem before the crop is planted.
Especially is this important when
rowing potatoes on stubble land
foul with weed seeds.
On Almost Any Soil.
Another fine thing about this crop
> that 1t may be grown on almost
my kind of soil that is not wholly
vet.
OF course, 1t grows best, as in the
ase of other crops, on certain soils.
Lmong these are sandy and clay
Dams, friable soils of the western
lrairies and the volcanic ash soils Of
he far west.
Crop Rich in Nutrients.
But even on soils that are not es-
'ecially rich thoroughly good crops
4 potatoes may be grown IL given
uita5le cultivation.
It should also be borne In mind
hat from no other food crop grown
an an equal amount OF nutrients be
btained from a given area.
This means. therefore. that from no
,ther crop can that increase In pro-
uction so much wanted be brought
bout so quickly.
Scarcity OF Seed Potatoes.
But to extension of the area plant
q to potatoes there is one serious
bstacle. 1t is the scarcity OF seed
nd the high prices for the same.
Seed potatoes in the twin cities
ave sold for "a q buBhel But In
ountry places they may, In many
faces, be obtained for not much more
han half that price.
This obstacle may be met in part by
uttinB the seed IN small pieces when
repairing It for planting. In this way