The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-01-26
new WAY OPEN
FOR FARMERS
TO MAKE GOOD
Sweet Potato Curing Plant,
Erected Here, Solves
Problem
SOUTHERN CROP is
IN GREAT DEMAND
Louisiana Soil Best Adapt
ed But Production Not
So Large

ror-on has been dropping in value
-ica il not in demand whatever; sl-
r,rca1e sTumped from fifteen dollars
+on in 1919 to four or five dollars
!, 1920 and other staple crops OF
+bis state and the south went down
the -1boggan in Ike manner.
Under existing conditions the farm
ara throughout this vast agricultural
territory are uon-plussed as to what
ot bend their energies to this year
IN order to make the money. required
+o meet necessary expenses. They
arc shy Of cotton: they absolutely
soqre at the mention Of rice, and sug-
arcane seems entirely out Of the
o7,egtiou-this if they eoufine their
attention to these crops for the IL
uanciaI returns. fer they are not sure
there would be any such returns at
harvest time N 1921
They are up in the air" so to
sneak and for a main standby they
"a absolutely at a loss. In the past
+Bav heard considerable about sweet
notatoes and many dfved into that
eron some made money and others
lost They experienced years when
the Weld was enormous and the de-
mand and price very small and they
grew disguised and quit. Then they
we're advised to plant certain vart
afies. as these varieties we're in great
deman and would bring fancier prices
They followed the advice offered enly
70 find that at digging time the de
mand had faded and the potatoes rot
ted while waiting for market. un,
der such circumstances their labor
was thrown away and also IN disgust
they quit the sweet potato game and
looked on it with suspicious eye
They heard that the only way to KEEP
the yellow varieties Of sweets was By
. euring in a specially constructed dry
ing plant. and this plant cost money
to erect and none Cor few tried te
erect one in accordance with the ac
cepted plans. So the sweet potato in
dustry Ianguished and alomst Weni
cut Of existence.
However, two 0peIousas men, bot1
enterprising business fellows, have
stepped in and propose to offer rea
insurance for the sweet potato grow
ers of this section CT the parish. Some
time ago Messrs. Simon Ste1Tv anc
John sfbtIIe stated they would cree
a modern sweet potato curing plan
in this city for the handling OF II
ture crops, and they have made tnen
promise good.
They are now, or SOON viii be, m
position to aid the local farmer'
along that line. and at the same tim
are ready, willing and anxious to Civ
them advice as to varieties to plant
the right kind OF land, culture, etc
They are thoroughly posted and theE
spare time is at the disposal Of any
one Interested.
Both stated this week that the bes
variety Of potato is the famous Port
Rican yam. It is the most prolific L
yield and above all better keeper
naturally. than all other yellow var
ieties. They strongly advise grower
to. eonfine their attention to the Por
to Ricans and plant no other kind
1921. The demand for these potatoes
is stronger than for any other kin.
and is increasing every season
Hence, that is the logical potato u
plant
In matter OF production, accordln
to Mr.. SibiIle, Louisiana is net In "a
front ranks Of southern states. d
has made an exhaustive study OF tn
sweet potato industry and finds tina
there are a number Of other state
that lead Louisiana. There is no rea
son whatever for that. as we have
perhaps. more suitable acres for thel
production and the quality OF tn
Louisiana crop far exceeds that Q
other southern states.
The greatest demand for the sweet
is in the western and northwester
states, and Louisiana has one grea
advantage. Il not two-We are clos
to the great markets and the freigh
rates are lower. for we are west
the Mississippi river and can ship q
much less cost than the farmers II
ing in states east Of the big rive
Texas is one Of the greatest potat
markets IN the union, according
Mr.. SibiIIe. and while the farmer
there are producing great quantitie
Of the crop they can never supply tn
always Increasing demand Henei
Texas is a logical market. and we a.
close to Texas. and that gives Us
great advantage in marketing u
erop.
Now is the time to get ready
plant I large acreage in Porto Rica
yams. Il is almost time to plant, az
Preparation Of the soil should aIreat
be under way There IS nothing aay