The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-01-26
POTATO MARKETING
SERIOUS AT This time
Large Portion of Crop Raised During
1917 Has Not Been Placed on The
, Market.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 25.-The
potato marketing situation at this
moment appears to be serious, ac-
cording to statement jusV issued by
the I. S. Department of Agriculture.
The total production in 1917 is eS-
timatcd to have been 4t2, ,536, 900
bushels. CT the largest crop ever pro-
duced in the United States Not
withstanding this fact. prices from
! the time of digging to the present
/ have ruled higher than in any previ-
Gus year Of which we have record
with the exception of last year when
the crop was abnormally short.
The Department of Agriculture
has been able to compute the move
ment Of the present crop with more
accuracy than has ever been posi-
bic before and from all the informa-
tion available it appears that not
more than one-third of the market
able surplus of the crop of 1917 has
been moved up to December 81. In
other words, there remained to be
moved upon January l, two cars of
the crop of 1917 for every car mar
keted up TO that time. The move
ment since January l has not been
noticeably accelerated The present
reserve stocks are so widely distribu-
ted that the transportation prob
lens presented 60 not appear to be
acute. Generally speaking, more po-
tatoes could be moved if offered for
shipment
The situation demands enlighten-
cd, patriotic and vigorous action on
the part of all concerned in the
Of III
dealers promptly move the stocks on
hand in order TO speed up listribu-
tiOn and bring the large reserve still
on the farms into the channels of
trade, heavy wastage of the crop ap-
pears certain TO result later IN the
season. 1t is believed that dealers
will in the end find it wiser to move
present holdings without profit or
even at some loss rather than toI
risk destructive wastage later in the
season. At the same time, present
retail prices must be somewhat re-
duced if potato consumption is to be
stimulated as it should be.
Prices at point of production have
generally declined since digging be-
gan and many dealers are reputed to
hold large stocks purchased at prices
higher than these now prevailing.
This may account in some measure
for the present slow rate of move
ment out OF some of the heaviest
producing areas and for the abnor-
mally wide difference between pres
ent wholesale prices to the grower
and retail prices to the consumer.
Under existing and prospective
conditions no material quantity of
potatoes can be exported or CONVEX
ted into non7perishable products this
season. The crop can not be car
ried over. 1t must be consumed or
wasted. The food situation throu-
ghout the world demands that it be |
consumed effectively 70 relieve the tie
existing strain on the supply of cere-
ais. 1t is the one great food re-
source of the world upon which there
is now danger of a heavy loss, and
the Department is of the opinion
that the situation demands that far
mers sell freely; that the larger deal
ers move their stocks rapidly; and
that the retailer content himself
with the smallest possible margin of
profit, realizing that he is now the
most important factor in speeding up
potato consumption.