Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-03-14

growers is a IdCLOr Which, IAafAOo -
difficult to effect improvements IN
the growing. handling. storing ana
marketing Of the Georgia sweet po-
tato CROP The need OF organized
effort is apparent to those who have
studied the industry. but the grow
ers themselves do not, as q class,
realize this need or manifest much
interest in proposed organizations.
Several efforts to organize co-opera-
tive marketing associations among
growers have failed. Other efforts
to unite growers, shippers. and bust
ness men in one orge nization have
failed. Most Of the plans proposed
have been for statewide or section
wide organizations. Organization
has been especially difficult be-
cause of conditions under which the
crop is produced, the existence OF
large commercial houses and chains
Of houses, a lack of experience in CO.
operative activities, ct cetera.
Recommendations
Due to conditions which have been
mentioned, market preferences as re-
CARDS. varieties and containers, dis
lance from markets. poor grading
and packing, erratic distribution,
etc., Georgia sweet potatoes do not
sell on the market for as much as
stock from older shipping sections.
There are several shipping sections,
as pointed out, which have the adj
vantage over Georgia as regards
popular market variety. contalner'
proximity to market, yield per acre,
established trade connections, and
reputation for carful grading, pack
ing, and uniformly high quality. me
following comparison will Indicate
the position of Georgia as a com
mercial producer and shipper OF
sweet potatoes: New Jersey produced
during the 1920-21 season 143 bushels
per acre, total of 1897 carloads on
the basis Of 600 bushels to the car.
It shipped 3.085 cars, or over 81 per
cent of it's production. During the
same season Georgia grew SO bushels
per acre, produced the equivalent OF
22, $40 carloads. and shipped 1858 cars,
or less than per cent OF its pro.
duction. The prices at which busheI
hampers of New Jersey stock sold
greatly exceeded the prices paid for
five-peck crates Of Georgia stock, not
infrequently selling on the same
market at more than twice as much.
There are two methods which
might be suggested to overcome the
handicaps enumerated, namely ~, by
the adoption of better production
methods and practices increase the
yield to such an extent that returns
per acre will justify selling at a
low price per bushel, or (2) adopt
practices of grading, packing and
merchandising, which will increase
the price per bushel. The adoption
Of both methods as one program
should be conducive to the best re-
suits.
In view of the prices which are
prevailing and which may prevail
for a long period of time the grower
should plan to produce sweet pota-
toes at a cost below soc per bushel.
If he can not do this it is doubtful
if sweet potato growing will prove
profitable. The storage house OPP
orator should plan on selling cured
stock in the neighborhood of 81 per
bushel and if he cannot reduce stor-
age costs to the extent that he can
operate profitably on margin of
approximately so to rs cents per
bushel, he will doubtless find opera
ton improbable.
The following numbered recon-
mendations give in a general way
the writer's idea Of what should be
done to place the sweet potato in
dustry in Georgia on more stable
and profitable basis.
/. Improve the variety, increase
yield per acre, and increase the per
cent of merchantable stock per acre
by careful seed selection and the
adoption of better production meth
eds and practices.
2. Improve practices in harvesting
and field handling. Store or sell for
storage only those potatoes conform
ing to the United States No. 4 grade
in both size and quality. Sell in To-
cal markets, eat at home, can, feed
20 hogs or otherwise utilize in the
producing districts all stock not No.
l in grade.
3. Keep building and operating
costs of storage houses to the mini
mum consistent with safety and eff
cheney. Buy or accept for storage
only carefully graded stock in good
condition. Eliminate present un-
hGCSSScIly Wv c1SIO VI OPoSSS P1OooNIo
and labor.
4. Ship in containers which are
economical. which are well con.
structed, attractive in appearance.
standard in size and popular on the
markets to which they are shipped.
Pack and load containers SO that
they will arrive at the markets in
good condition and full. Mark this
grade on the containers.
S. Organize cooperative market
ing associations a1aong growers
growers exclusively WHEN they de-
sire to organize, need to organize,
can effect economies and improve
alent in production and marketing,
ard arb willing to assume the risks
and RESPONSIBILITIES incident to stor-
ing, curing and marketing their
product. Develop associations in
communities where they are needed
and enlarge, consolidate or federate
these as conditions warrant. Build
rp large sectional or statewide as
sCciation with satisfact orily operat
ing units as the basis.
The Amount of Peanuts to Plant
Per Acre
W. F. R., Crawford, Ga,
writes: How many pounds or
bushels of peanuts will it take
to plant an acre in rows "a
inches wide and 6 to inches in
the drill?
The amount of peanuts needed to
plant an acre of ground depends, of
course, good deal on the distance
apart of planting. Twenty-four
inches is a very good distance for
this crop, and to 8 inches apart
in the drill would be about right. It
will take about two bushels of
Spanish, peanuts to plant an acre
provided the nuts are unhulled. If
the hulls are removed, of course, it
would only take about one and
half bushels. In the case of larger
varieties the amount of seed needed
ryo,,1d he ralatiUn1u 1aroc,- Tho