South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-04
URGE FARMERS To
PLANT POTATOES
Country is in Danger Of Short
est Crop Since 1900 Be-
cause of Price Greed.
by Prof Laurcnz Greene OF Purdue
University.


University.
Recent ad-ices from the United
states department Of agriculture
show "A grave danger that the acre
age OF potatoes planted this spring
viii be wholly inadequate for our
needs This conclusion is drawn
from the facts obtained by making
a survey OF the crop following pc
RODS Of low prices since 1890.
Beginning with 1890 there was a
moderately large crop. The average
farm price was AZ cents. This price
resulted In a small crop the next
year with a consequent higher price
in the fall of 1901. IN 1902 this
high price caused an enormous in
crease in the acreage planted. The
crop was good and the price fell A
low price in TIE spring made a small
crop next year. High prices in 1903
increased the acreage. making an
enormously large crop in 1904 with
an extremely low price The story
goes on in the same way up 10 the
present time alternating years OF
over production and under prOduc-
ton with only three Interruptions
during the entire period of Is years.
These Interruptions were due TO un-
favorable seasons, reducing the
crops on the years zen large
Weld would have bee expected and
simply delaying the reduction in
price and crop for one year.
The United States department Of
agriculture points out that the pres
ent situation is as follows: We have
on hand the largest crop ever pro-
duced. Prices nov are as low as
80 cents per bushel in some produc-
ing centers and nowhere higher than
IS cents. Under such conditions the
farmers Of the United States have
never planted a sufficient acreage of
potatoes.
Ia is very important that potato
growers recognize this fact and make
up their minds that an adequate
acreage will be planted this year. II
will be little short of catastrophe
II tine United States does not produce
at least a normal crop Of potatoes.
Unless a special effort is made, in
ytew Of the records sighted, we will
have very low yield of potatoes
shis wear and consequent high prices
next winter With the scarcity Of
cereals and other foodstuffs il is very
important that the potato acreage
be maintained.
Growers are urged 10 take the
best OF care of their potato seed and
crop during the season. Good seed
should be selected and treated 10
prevent disease. Any tubers show
ing internal evidence Of disease
should be discarded. While formal
denyde and corrosive sublimate
either are good for seed treatment,
preference is given to the corrosive
sublimate as il controls some dis
eases that the formaldehyde does
not
Four ounces Of corrosive subiim-
ate, dissolved TN a small amount Of
hot water and diluted 10 80 gallons.
furnishes n solution into which the
potatoes may be dropped i'm a bur
lap sack and soaked for one and
one-half hours. Use only wooden
vessels. Treatment should be made
before cutting. This solution weak
ems with use. One ounce Of dissolved
corrosive subIimate should he added
for each successive treatment. Cor
rosive sublimate is a vital poison
when taken internally Great care
IS necessary In its use.
III forn,aldehyde is used one pint
of so percent formaldehyde solution
is dissolved I'm so gallons Of water
and the tubers soaked for two hours
before cutting This solution does
not weaken with constant use
To oe sure that the potato crop is
not DANA ged hy insects and disease
spraying should begin when the
plants are eight 60 10 inches high.
Use Bordeaux mixture. Also. with
some arsenical adding Spraying
should be repeated at intervals Of
10 days TO two weeks throughout the
season.
Specific information regarding any
OF these matters VIII be gladly fur
nished by Purdue university upon
application. Growers are especial
iy urged 10 consider the importance
~ the potato I'm our food supply and
She possibility OF very short crop
and high prices and are urged