Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1921-10-31
FAIRFIELD MAKES PUBLIC STATEMENT UNDER OATH
Sweet Potato Industry
Of State Can Be Saved
If Farmers Hold Back Potatoes, The
= Market Will Soon Be Lost

ATLANTA. Oct. 3l-The sweet
potato industry OF Georgia and the
South. though now reaching crucial
point, may be saved if growers will
listen to expert advice, according to
market men here today.
$Sn the other hand, it is declared
If farmers persits in holding back their
potatoes, then. of course. the large
sums of money invested in the curing
houses will be lost and the market
which the growers have for their po-
tatoes will likewise be lost,
Experts here point to the fact that
there is disposition on the part of
the farmers not to sell their potatoes
to curing houses, because of an exag-
gerated idea as to what the curing
houses should pay for their potatoes
thi< fall.
1t was stated here today that a
numb er of curing houses paid IS cents
a bus2el for potatoes placed in their
houses last year and that those houses
lost 81 cents bushel on all potatoes
handled. The same houses are pay
ing this year 81 IL cents bushel.
Experts state that the conditions for
making sweet potato crop this year
were much less expensive than last
year. They state further that there
IS nothing to indicate that the prices
Tor which the potatoes will be sold
will be any higher than last year.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Allan
ia. watch covers the sixth district. has
indicated that it would consider it a
safe policy for its member banks to
loan up to the extent of 90 per cent of
the market value of sweet potatoes
stored in houses constructed and op-
Grated in accordance with approved
plans. as many of such houses are now
established. 1t is stated here that
whens bankers generally understand
this proposition they will gladly make
advances to farmers who properly har-
vest grade and store their sweet po-
tatoes, though most of the curing hous
es are paying good prices in buying
the product outright
The conservation of the crop by the
use of storage houses has been advo-
Gated strongly by the county agents
and other farm extension workers all
thgA the South for the last six years
As result, it is stated, there is sat
isfactory storage in the South for from
IL 900 900 to 100000 bushels.
In Georgia alone the combined ca
pacity of the storage houses. accord
ing to experts will exceed two million
bushels. A,good deal of money was
spent bull q curing houses last year
at the very peak of the high prices
of construction. One company built
six curing houses of large capacity in
the vicinity of Montezuma. 1t is stated
here that experienced horticulturists,
at important points. are giving farm
ers. ire of charge, the benefit of their
technical knowledge in growing and
caring for sweet potatoes.
The production of sweet potatoes
in the South, according to Georgia ex-
|perts has increased steadily from 81,
loco 900 bushels in 1920 On account
|of unfavorable weather, the crop out
Hook is not as good at the present time
las it was some months ago. The fore
|cast o. the present month was 100.
boo bushels in 1920. On account of I'M
favorable weather. the crop outlook
lis net as good at the present time as
lit was some months ago. The fore
hast o fthe present month was 1000
poo bushels