Grand Forks herald., 1922-06-19
IATO CROP
MAY DOUBLE
THIS SEASON
Market Problem to- Be Dis
cussed at Meeting in
Latin1ore June 80.


doubled in North Dakota as COM
pared to the acreage last year, ac-
cordinE to reports. In Grand Forks
county 5000 acres of this crop were
harvested last year, and this, spring
c0.000acres In this county were plant
ed to spuds.
The total production. Of potatoes
in North Dakota In 1921, wasS 11.>
$4,000 bushels. eProviding the yield
this year will equal that Of the 1921
potato crop (Which is hardly likely
as it was 20 bushels per acre over
the last 1five-year averaged. the total
production will amount to about 23,-
100000 bushels, or 3s.40O carloads.
Where, how and when are the
farmers In this state going to mar
ket this crop? This question be-
comes doubly pertinent when II is
remembered that this state has only
recently launched into the potato
game on a large scale, and hence the
farmers have not the facilities for
storage and the experience of the
tato states, such as Wisconsin and
Michigan. Another factor that has
large bearing on the subject Of
potato marketing is the fact that the
North Dakota potato has not gained
recognition as a standard product, wit.
nesaed by the fact that potatoes from
this state sell from 10 to 20 cents
per cwt. under those Of Wisconsin
and Michigan, although those famil-
lar, with the North Dakota product
do not hesitate to state that It sur
passes in quality any raised in the
United states.
Thus It would seem that one of
the biggest, if, not the biggest prob
lem that the people of this state must
solve during the next 80 days is to
find a ready market for potatoes and
see to it that they are marketed In
an orderly manner. North Dakota
farmers have been encouraged to di.
/ versify their crops. with a ltperal
F.! acreage of potatoes, and thus far
they have made good beginning, but
/ If this crop is not adequately market
ed, there may be disappointment and
discouragement all around.
Meeting Is Called.
Those in touch with the situation
realize the necessity for immediate
ing has been called to be held in
I Larimore on June 80. when all an
i giles OF the matter will be discussed
and the necessary steps taken to aid
the farmer to dispose of his potatoes.
Agronomists from all over the state
: will then gather and exchange ideas
and outline if possible plan to take
care Of the 922 crop.
At a meeting of potato growers
held in Grand Forks last March.
committee was appointed to investi-
gate the advisa bility Of organizing,
a Potato Growers association to act
ultimately as sales agency for the
potato grower. This committee re-
Gently held meeting at the offices
Of the extension division Of the North
Dakota Agricultural college. The
members have drawn up a constitu-'
tion and bylaws and proposed an
organization which aims to first i'm
prove North Dakota's product. second
to look up and Investigate buyers and
markets in general. and third to
build up in connection with the farm
bureau a selling organization later
on.
This proposition is being brought
before the various local organizations
now. Just what action the delegates
will take at the Larimore meeting
- not possible to say at this time,
but it is expected that the greatest
stress will be laid on forming a po-
tAto Development association. rather
than definite selling association for
the present. according to George p.
Wolf, assistant county agent leader
of North Dakota. who is one of the
leading figures in the movement
In spite of the acute need Of an,
adequate market. this is believed to
be undoubtedly the most feasible step
to take, if it is supplemented with
temporary and immediate aid to dis
pose Of the 1922 crop. for 1t is obvious
that il North Dakota is to improve
her present potato market and con-
tinue to be a factor in the produc-
tion of potatoes she must place on
the market better quality Of pota-
toes.
Need Careful Grading. I
Thus it is seen that the problem