The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-07-13
Dates Are Set For
Big Community Fair
BENEFITS FARMER

Wisconsin were financially benefited
to the extent of 100000 by the pota-
to grading and inspection work is
the statement of B. B. Jones of the
Department. of Markets in giving
a review of the 1922 potato sea-
SON. The figure given is based on
a, comparison of prices of potatoes
on the Chicago market which is the
determining factor in quoting prices
for Wisconsin potatoes.
Grading and inspection of potatoes
as carried on under .he Department
of Markets has meant much to the
states potato reputation and this
was reflected the past year in price
comparisons with other states. In
past years before state grading and
inspection was in vogue in the state,
| Wisconsin potatoes sold on par
with Minnesota potatoes on the Chi
cago market. The United States
Department of Agriculture reports
show that throughout the greater
part of this past season Wisconsin
potatoes brought from 5 to 15c
per cwt. on the Chicago market more
than Minnesota potatoes which We're
not protected by compulsory state
grading ard inspection such as the
Department of Markets carried on
in Wisconsin. An average increased
price of five cents hundred pounds
on the seasons shipments meant APP
pros1imately $500, OG0 more TO the
farmers and dealers. In past years
Idaho potatoes sold on the Chicago
market for 25>to 90c per cwt. more
than Wisconsin potatoes due largely
to the fact that they had reputa-
ton for being well graded product.
This past year Wisconsin potatoes
sold nearly on a par with Idaho
stock. The same general comparison
can be made with Michigan potatoes.
Growers and dealers over the state
generally concede that the grading
and inspection work, which was car
ried on with about $4,000 of the De-
partment of Markets appropriation
has proved to be of great financial
benefit to the industry as whole.
Prices of Wisconsin potatoes in
Chicago during the season ranged
from $1.40 to $500 per cwt. with
the general range during the major
part of the season being $1.5O-$2.OO.
Prices received by farmers during the
year ranged fom 9Oc to $3.50 pc cwt.
with prices during the greater part
oof the season ranging $1.O0-$1. so per
cwt.
In 1921 there was planted $4,000
acres of potatoes as compared with
3O8. 900 in 1920. Adverse weather
conditions reduced the crop so that
this past year the shipments We're
lighter than for some years past. Last
year about 10000 cars were shipped
whereas the past year the ship
ments amounted to about 1000 cars.
Shipments were heaviest in October,
the November and December ship
ments being extremely light. Large
quantities were held by farmers for
a high spring market but this did
not materialize as other states had
such large crops that all markets
were we'll supplied and prices remain
ed low. Those who held this past
year were disappointed and some
large losses due to holding have been
reported.
The quality of the stock this past
year was good. Losses from diseas-
ed and frozen stock were generally
| light and potatoes were of good size
excepting in one or two districts
which usually run heavy to small
sized stock. Better than 80 per cent
of the stock was marketed as u. S.
Grade No. the balance being ship
ped as u. S. Grade No. and Ungrad-
| ed. 1t is estimated that in 1919-2O
before grading was required only 20
per cent of the crop was graded as
No. 1.
| About 90 per cent of the states pO-