The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-10-13
POTATOES AS "A CROP
FOR BOTTINEAU COUNTY

| .DOttllcaU OOUuty HAS pdSSGU au-
other milestone in it's history and
conclusively proven that it is in the
Potato growing region. The 1921 crop
has far exceeded last springs expec-
tations. The Westhope territory alone
estimates it's potato crop at between
30 and 40 thousand bushels; Newburg
and Maxbass, where associations also
were formed last spring also have q
good crop; a considerable acreage is
also in evidence around Lansford, Bot
tineau and other parts Of the County.
BY the time the 1921 crop is market
ed, whether for seed or being shipped
! out, it will mean revenue to the
county of possibly $16O,OOO to those
who went into the potato game last
spring. This may not seem large
amount for one crop in an agricultur-
al county as large as Bottineau coun
ty but the fact that the potato in
dustry is really in its infancy it must
be conceded that the 1921 infant has
assumed quite unexpected proportions.
Conditions Have Been Favorable
Certain advantages have been evil
dent the past season which we cannot
always expect; seed last spring was
cheap; weather conditions, tho not
ideal for potatoes, were favorable
enough so that $50. to 200 bu. yields
are not uncommon; labor has been
fairly cheap compared to the past sew
eral years. These factors have all
helped to keep down the cost Of pro-
duction, thereby giving spread for
profit. -. =.
Ill u. S. Potato Crop Short ~
Coupled with the above conditions
is the fact that the potato crop in the
east is very short. The september 1st
crop estimate shows that the u. s.
crop is aobut ~ million bushels be-
low the normal consumption Of 400
million bushels. This has resulted in
comparatively high prices for pota-
toes this fall and a possibility Of still
higher prices later on.
Associations A Success
In order to make the greatest sue
cess with potatoes in a community
an association should be organized. IF
sufficient acreage is planted to war
rant the erection Of a warehouse this
should be done. Unfortunately the
conditions did not look very promising
about midsummer SO no warehouses
were built in the county, but if the
present enthusiasm keeps up there
will be several before the fall of '22.
One Of the members Of the Westhope
association remarked the other day:
s'The potato association at Westhope
| is the best thing that ever struck
town. We are satisfied that potatoes
| is a paying crop and are already sure
Of 1900 acres for next year and be-
lieve me, we're going to have ware
house too.'
There should be potato growers
association and warehouse in every
town in Bottineau County within three
years. This does not mean that one
should plunge into potato raising to
the exclusion Of other crops. Decide on
how many acres can be handled to ad-
vantage, them keep It up in a consist
ant way. Potatoes will not only prove
a paying crop, but will help more than
any one thing to bring Bottineau
County back $ the peer Of Nort,
Any community wishing to make q
start in potato growing should com
mence work now towards getting or.
ganized before spring, securing seed
machinery, etc. and in case q ware
house is wanted acreage enoueh
same. 6 G q
/ Potato warehouses are MT bun,
! with talkl Everyone interested, bud.
/ ness men or farmers, should put thefl
shoulders to the wheel. NOW is thl
time to get busy, schedule potat.
meetings and start the ball rolling
If You ate mteregted in your com
munity Fo1ng into the game Fill on
the blank below md mail It 10 me 9
Bottimeau, md 0vory effort will 5,
made 70 heip put the work across.
q. =. Aamodt, Co. Agt.
County Agent,
Bottineau, ~. j.
Dear Sir:
am Interested Ia having this com
mdnity 50 into the potato game nax
spring. 4 viii attend potato meeting
Of and will do III
can to help put the work across.
I VIII plant aerss u pot,
toes e = warshouss = assured.
THE TEAcHEnSp INSTITUTE
The TAAeh ~ Institute Tor Bot
lneAu COunky ilI open Monday, Oct
Der u, at 10:O0 X. n. With Sup&
=. Murphy IA ( Non IA ch1r9o. .
The pto4ra1n II planned % nn1et q
needs Oh III tene her1. Come prepaxl
10 H1Vo and - Brin1 yoUf Uol