Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-24
SENSE WITH POTATOES.

LIN 11NiISLl IISl, II DclnY asked DY an IN
q%ulsitive dauber how he mixed his paints, replied
With brains, sir" The recipe is useful in any oc-
cupatlon, not excepting the raising Of potatoes.
Last years potato production in North Dakota
Tar exceeded that OF any previous year. The crop
was the financial salvation of many farmers whose
small grains failed or were produced at a loss. The
crop as a whole was a highly beneficial one to the
state, Notwithstanding the unsatisfactory returns in
many individual cases. So impressed have our
farmers been with the advantages of the potato crop
! that the acreage Will be very greatly increased this
year.
SO strong is the tendency to rush into potato
raising on a large scale that there is more than a
possibility that the thing may be o~verdone, with the
result that our people may find themselves in the
fall with trainloads Of potatoes on hand for which
there is no market.
The potato is the sole perishable product which
North Dakota raises on a large scale. The perish
able nature of the crop is a feature which makes it
necessary to surround the industry with peculiar
conditions. More potatoes are used in the country
when they are plentiful and cheap than when they
are scarce and dear. But there is a limit to con-
sumption, no matter what the supply or the price.
When people have enough potatoes they quit, and
nothing can induce them to eat more. Potatoes
produced beyond: the maximum demand are lost,
for they cannot be exported in appreciable quaint
ties, and they are not worth ordinary freight charges
for stock. feeding purposes. And because they are
per1shaDle and cannot be carried over, the crop Of
any year must be disposed of in tina. year. Neither
the shortage nor the surplus Of any year figures in
the supply or the price Of the next year.
There is the possibility, then, not So much that
the North Dakota crop in itself will create a surplus.
but that it will be harvested in a year Of general
abundance and will be a part Of a large national
surplus. Il that should occur neither grading rules
ttor marketing practices can save from those loss
hose yield per acre is>not large enough to bring
cost per bushel down to a very low figure.
There are localities in which the potato indus
sify has had a fatural growth. There the farmers.
y tarti1gs on a small scale and proceeding cautiously.
ave discovered experirnentally, not merely how to
-ew potatoes, but howNto take care of them after
81 are grown, and what facilities are needed for
purpos They have provided themselves for
at they ed in home storage, shipping ware
rises, etc, and if weather conditions are unfavor-
AHe5 or shipping facilities inadequate they know
hat 70 do to protect themselves. The man who
nlps8 into the business without this sort Of prep
eation may raise a big crop and then lose It ali be-
ause ne has overlooked some Of these essentials,
this IS not an argument against potato raising
Wesbelieye that the farmer who does not raise some
spotztoes is making a mistake. We believe the re-
sords Mafrant the statement that the farmer who
splantS 4 reasonable acreage of potatoes every var
8 y AndJes the crop ss good farmers Know hoyv-fo
St61.1 4 4, viii realize some profit nSpracticai1y ey-
SIJSa 1111rs md III eomne yesss will make ! 81 prokt
az sngswh p1uneees in tie yearAafter lie has