The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-11-06
POTATOES Dis
CUSSED BY GROWERS
Great Interest Shown in Banquet
Tuesday Night to Foster Interest
in Big Show to be Held
Next Week.


at the Association Of Commerce rooms
for the purpose of infusing added in.
terest in the forthcoming Corn and
Potato Show was one of the most sue
cessful events Of this kind ever held in
the city. There were over 10 in at
tendance. While the theme under dis
cussion would not under ordinary con-
ditions arouse any particular interest
on the part of the business men of the
city it was very evident that everyone
in attendance was awake to the vital
that lies in the future CO.
operation and mutual interest that
should exist between the farmer and
townspeople. While practically every
man present was interested in farming
directly or indirectly their efforts
have been confined merely to furnish
ing the capital only and not giving
specific direction to the operation of
the farms they own or control. Under
the stimulus of very substantial and
repast provided by the la
dies of the Episcopal church and spur
red by the inspiring remarks Of Toast
master E. s. Person the interest never
slackened for moment thruout a
three hour session. Professor and
Mrs. Howard contributed quite meas.
urably to the entertainment of the
banquetters by frequent numbers on
the violin and piano. w: S. Jones,
president of the Minot Town Criers
Club was first called upon in acknowl
edgement of the successful production
of the gathering. President Jones
stated that the Criers had simply done
what they always stood ready to do
foster, promote and encourage any
which had the welfare of
the city, or the interest of the COM
munity in view. That the Criers in
common with the business men of the
city. realized the Importance of en-
couraging interest in the growing of
Corn and Potatoes, which all recog
nized as being well named the Twins
of Prosperity" In resuming, Major
Person stated that the object of the
gathering was to arouse greater inter
est in the Corn and Potato Show and
outlined the. objects which those hav-
ing the project in hand hoped to at
tain. The first speaker was County
Agent German, who outlined the pro-
gram of the forthcoming show and
then taking as his subject present
Conditions and Future Prospects of
Ward County," he told of his impress
sions upon first arriving here last
spring He said he noted a lack of
stock and the growing of cultivated
crops, that he considered the farms
too large and that careless methods
of farming prevailed. Speaking of
future conditions, Mr.. German stated
the soil of this section is especially
adapted to the successful growing Of
Corn and Potatoes. And taking into
consideration the successive grain
crops raised here year after year, that
cultivated crops were sure to spell
prosperity for Ward county and urged
his auditors to boost the gospel of
cultivated crons.
Following County Agent Germans
remarks Major Person led in singing,
"Oh Potatoes They Grow Small Over
There. County Commissioner Spich-
er of Des Laos was the next speaker.
Commissioner Spicher gave in dataii
his experiences and the results attain
ed in growing 80 acres of potatoes
this season. He planted 20 acres to
Green Mountain potatoes and 10 acres
to Early Ohios. He harvested 27OO
bushels, 2400 bushels being sold direct
from the field, while he kept some 800
bushels for seed the coming season.
After making liberal allowance for
labor and supervision the
Commissioner said that the 80 acres
netted him close to $1600.00. His ex-
perience has made him a firm advocate
of potato growing and he expects to
double his acreage this coming year.
j. R. Porter, prominent Berthold
farmer, was the next speaker. Mr..
Porter is a potato grower of note and
has grown wealthy largely thru grow
ing potatoes at Berthold, having ac-
umulated handsome competence as
well as seven quarters of land in that
vicinity during the past decade. Mr..
Porter is a deep student of agricul-
ture and agricultural methods. Per
haps the state has no better authority
on the diseases peculiar to potato
plants and means of treatment than
Mr.. Porter. The fact that he is a
native Of Pennsylvania, where inten-
sive farming has been practiced since
Colonial days by thea frugal and thrift
ty Quakers, may account in measure
for the mass of detail he has mastered
and the thoroness with which he car
ried his ideas into practice. He said
that from the first he realized that
North Dakota soil was peculiarly ad-
apted to potatoes and that they could
be grown here with less expense than
in any other section Of the United
States, from the Canadian line to the
Gulf.
He related his difficulties in secur-
ing financial assistance when he put in
his first crop Of 40 acres Of tubers-
difficulties which he now describes
most humorously but which at the
time were serious indeed. An early
frost that year frost and snow Octo-
ber 10th, caught him before the pota-
toes were dug but he finally succeeded
In saving 1000 bushels which he sold
at 500 per bushel. He persevered
however, and the next year harveste.'
800 bushels per acre which ne sold Z
soc per bushel. Ne said Tint |.
crop wears he usually dug IS hrshe'
frDn, ev nv haN ,,si'a rnw tl"es n
years he has Crown