Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-11-05

ALL POTATOES.
SAY GROWERS
Men From Various
Parts of r. r. Valley
Meet Today.

A large number Of potato growers
from various parts of Red River VAL
ley. both from the North Dakota and
Minnesota side of the river, attended
the meeting in the farmers room of
the court house this morning, when
various phases of potato-marketins
were discussed.
the meeting by outlining various aac-
Invites pertaining to the marketing of
potatoes. ~
Standardization of the shipped prod
uct was the Keynote stressed by all
the speakers. and this could only be
accomplished by active cooperation
by all the shippers in grading The DO
tatoes, it was pointed out. To accom-
pllsh these ends, it was suggested that
an organization similar to the Califor-
mia Fruit Growers association be
formed. No definite step was taken
IN this direction at the meeting, but
tentative plans were made for a meet
ing to be held later to further discuss
the issue.
o. K. Berget of Crookston. manager
of the Minnesota Red River Valley
Certified Seed Growers association,
delivered h main address of the
meeting this morning.
Bumper Crop Exaggerated.
The. speaker pointed out that the
bumper crop in his section of the
country that has been heralded
throughout the country. has had a
weakening effect on the market,
which has not been justifiable as the
reports have bee greatly exaggerat-
ed. He was of the opinion that the
acreage increase this year was not
over one-third of last year, and that
tho ~ornrf D,;Iohlo ---~ -.
there had been a decrease in yield
over last years crop. He estimated
that the average yield was not over
80 bushels to the acre. With a de.
crease of 2OG in yield and the in
crease of 33 1-3 in acreage the. total
production was not over 1922 more
h last year.
Another weakening effect on the
potato market which tended to lower
the price, it was pointed out, was the
dumping on the market of a. large
quantity of the product all at one
time, due to the farmers not having
credit facilities to hold their crop,
and also to the lack of storage facili-
ties, as many farmers in this section
are new in the potato game and are
not prepared to take care of the crop
In the most orderly Proper
storage is n of the essentials for
success in growing potatoes. Mr.. Ber-
get emphasized. He suggested that
the meeting take s to have
plans n specifications Of suitable
warehouses furnished those who wish
to build.
Lower Freight Rates.
That pressure should be brought to
bear on the railroad officials for a re-
duction. of rates was another sugges-
ton made by the speaker. Reductions
had been made for wheat. it was said,
and for the same reason potato grow
ers SHOULD receive the same consider
alton. Credit facilities offered by the
be taken advantage of by potato
be extended in a business-like man
ner. g
Hugh J. Huges Of MirEaeapolis also
gave an interesting talk on the value
Of advertising in the marketing OF
farm produce. The essential necessity
in this respect was a guarantee to the
eastern buyers that the product ship
ped be up to standard in every respect
When this becomes generally known
on the markets, the products will be
given a preference among the buyers
and much Of the marketing Difficult.
ties will be eliminated, it was point.
ed out.
At the close of the morning ses.
sion o. X. Berget. George Hoople an,
Frank Jeffrie were named as a com
mittee to outline a program for the
afternoon session. and to recommend
actions that might be taken at thi!
meeting,