Milford chronicle., 1923-08-03
DELAWARE is ONE OF EARLY
POTATO RAISING STATES
By Frank W. Lewis


by the Department of Agriculture, in
cludes Delaware in the list Of Is
States which constitute the early-po-
tato districts of the United States. The
other States in this group are: Ala
bama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida
Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana
Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New
Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma
South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
"The early-potato CROP" says the
Bulletin in its foreword to this COM
prehensive report, must be grown
quickly, harvested promptly, and sold
at once.
"The special market problems are
those of the truck grower rather than
of the general farmer. A good return
to the producer depends upon reach
ing the market early or when it is
comparatively free from other potato
supplies.
"The crop requires special methods
of handling, grading, packing, load
ing, transportation, and distribution.
Everything must be done promptly
and well, hence the need of the best
and most competent business meth
ods.
Markets for such crops change rap
idly and they vary from season TO sea-
son. The grower should keep IN close
touch with crop news, shipment re-
ports, and market quotations.
"The market season for any early
notato district lasts only few weeks.
Into that short time must be con-
densed the net results of the seasons
work and planning"
This bulletin tells how the crop is
sold in the leading early-potato sec
tions: the location, shipping points,
and relative importance of the heavy
early shipping districts are shown;
kind and source of information which
+he grower should use are described;
and the grower told how to make the
most of them in marketing his crop.
Money Making Crop
The early-potato crop is a money
nroduct in some sections, farmers oe-
nending upon it for their cash lncome'
merchants relying on it to sell tertl-
Iizer. tools, seed stock, and general
supplies, and dealers trade in the pro-
Iuct and on this product bankers ad-
vance money to the growers. AT the
earlv-potato season, times are good OF
had and money is plentiful or scarce
in the district according to tne re-
turns received from early potatoes.
The growers in the early sections
are advised by the Agricultural De-
nartment to study the market or crop
Situation carefully and plant accord
ing to the probable supply OF olu po-
tatoes in the spring and carry SUM
mer. as indicated by reports OF north-
ern production, shipments, sCock on
hand, and prices, as it is stated ChdC
in a general way a short nam crop
means a good demand for early potd-
foes and high prices unless the carry
cron is very large. Likewise, 1t is
advised that the grower watch crop
conditions in the districts which may
connnete with his own, for light plant
ing or crop damage in earlier compet--
inc sections means greater demand
for his own crop. "Plainly," the re-
mort saws, competing shipments must
he watched not less than the total
crop in order to enter the markets at
the right time"
Market News Provided
Market news of countrywide scope
is provided by the United States De-
nartment of Agriculture, and various
crop and market reports are issued py
state departments of agriculture. Mar
1,et information about the early crop
is sent out from field stations of the
Department of Agriculture at such
central points at Washington, N. C.'
T1Iizahe+h Citv. N. c., Charleston, S.
g. and Hastings, Florida. The ship
ming point news for the Eastern Shore
of MARYLAND and Virginia ana OF
Southern New Jersey and Delaware IS
issued from the Philadelphia market
station. -
An important part of the potato bus
mess is the way the shipments are
made. 'While the double-headed par
rel seems the best package, ADVISES
the department, "other containers cost
less and the still used extensively Inc
cIoth-top barrel is the leading klno III
the coast sections north OF the caro-
1inas The top of cloth or bagglng is
fastened by driving down over 1t the
ton hoop of the barrel and nalling
through the hoop and cover. AS tne
slaves have little support at the TOP
these barrels are not as strong as tne
double-headed barrel and there is less
protection to the contents both at tne
sides and top. The cloth-top paT[el
breaks down easily. Still more SO, tle
e1at barrel which is rather tllInsy az
fairs. The Slated type used largey
in the Beaufort section has an llslue
boon Im IN that adds strength but is likely
+o tlOC cause bruises to the contents. Sacks
oT are e still used in the South Central
States St @ and more or less in other sec
fions ICy Notwithstanding the injury often
c.U to the contents. The 15O-pound
caGSGe CocI1 is Tsed according to convenience
onCA omd because some markets are accus,
h1Iu Iomed T to it. The 1OO-pound size, useo e
for the western main crop is easier s.. 4,,o 70
handle and if properly Loaded ,l,-II,, IN '4e 4o
car the contents are less likely ~
neat"