The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-04-28
EAT MORE SPUDS
NAllON'S SLOGAN
Danger Of Vast Quantities
Of Last Seasons Crop
Going to Waste. J..
THEY MUST BE USED
Winters Railroad Tie-Up
Has Kept Too Many in
Growers Hands.
Eat more nntutocs"

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Eat more potatoes"
With that slogan, the Unitel states
food administration has iaausuratei IA
national campaign to encourage the
free marketing and consumption Ct po-
tatoes. 1t has enlisted the co-opera-
ton of all agencies of the potato trade,
state and local authorities. various or
carnations. and the press During the
next few months the great potato crop
OF America will be moved from produce
Ing centers to points Of consumption as
rapidly as the public will consume the
delectable .spuds."
Reasons Twofoid.
There are two great reasons for do.
ing this.
l) American growers In 1917 pro-
duccd q great crop which in large part
is unmariseted on the coming Of spring.
had weather conditions was the cause;
but II this crop liz not consumed rap
idly and In larger proportion to other
foods than is customary. millions of
bushels Of potatoes will rot unsOld be-
fore the next harvest. Such u calamity
could not fail to discourage potato
growers who a year ago responded to
the appeal Of the country to be pa
triotic and Increase food consumption.
(2) by eating plenty OF potatoes.
Americans cha lower materially their
consumption Of wheat products and
thus comply with the urgent request
81 the food administration to cut the
national consumption Of wheat prod
ucts by 60 per cent.
Spring Helps Market Problem.
Opening Of spring makes It easier for
success to attend the governments ef-
fprts to aid potato growers. During
fall and winter the nation waged al
unsuccessful battle against adverse
conditions Every effort on the part OF
producers, trade and government ngen-
ctes was unavnlling, and ns n conse-
uuence Losses afflicted growers of the
greatest potato crop America has pro
duced. This crop in 1917 was a42.53G,
600 bushels, or 92,a3S. 900 bushels great.
er than the annual average for the
years 19ll-l9l6. The surplus came
from 724,60O more acres being planted
than in former years, Such surplus II
itself would be great market problem
RsvisW Winter Market Conditions.
Notwithstanding this fact. price.
started high with the movement 0
early fall potatoes, and potatoes move,
freely, with every prospect Of grow
ers profiting and the public consuming
larger quantities. when hopes wer
dashed by an early freeze which dam
eyed large part of the crop.
bad weather set in early. and with !
came transportation tie-ups. Not onl!
did the railroads find it impossible t
move the potato crop, but farmers wer'
blocked for weeks at a time by snow
and ice In the roads leading to town
In Wisconsin. as usual, certain potat'
districts were completely cut off from
market until the opening OF spring.
Consumption Below Normal.
In January. also, car shortag
proved serious handicap to grower
and dealers. The average nationa
movement was only 30l cars per day
when the normal movement shoul'
have been 1000 This cut Off in sup
plies forced Consumers to eat fewe
potatoes than is their custom. From
February to March Is conditions i'm
proved, ba, the average movement wa
only s25 cars per day as against L..
nccNcu LOT llt lAsiLitiI ~ ShtNii Wy Wv
it's normal rate OF consumption. Unit
the end of March, cars suitable TO NOV
potatoes were restricted almost entire
ly 10 refrigerator and heated cars. Nov
box cars are suitable and can be use
so NOV ement can proceed with create
yapdity.
Rnt the problem confronting the pee
ME il TO consume not only the Surplu
nd "a =
the surplus which accumulated froI
the cutoff In normal potato consunIi
ton brought about by Iransportatlo
difficulties.
An Intensive campaign to increas
potato demand will be waged by Il
agencies that CO. operate with the foe
administration and every effort VIII
made by the federal and state author
ties to move potatoes rapidly to whe
demand arises.
start New Potato Industries.
In addition to urging people to e
potatoes In all forms, and particular
10 serve baked potatoes without whe
bread on the table, the United Stat
food administration is doing everyth'l
,,oasihie 10 create new uses for I
sn,,d. Il has recently made a survey
a plants where potato flour can be ma
ma has encouraged its manufactu
Owners, of such plants have been an'
10 sec their opportunity. and on Ap
there was 5000 tons OF natural pots
1our ID sight. %,
otbee efforts are being made W
e1l4ifytng results to encourage the OF
~ ol potato starch flour. Prior 10
Vef this was made only out Of {
DotA1oeo and was used largely by 4
- manufActurers for sizing Gle