Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-26
Potato Outlook
For Year 1924

Wakefield, Mass, Mar. o2.-Sew
England farmers who raised pota-
toes last year. in most cases, got
high yields and prices mostly have
been encouraging. The question of
importance now is the acreage for
this year.. The following statement
may help farmers reach the right
decisions.
The United States potato crop last
year was per cent. less than in
1922 but shipments to March 1 are
only per cent. less than year ago.
The Northeast district New Eng
land, New York, Pennsylvania had
Is per cent. more potatoes in 1923
than in 1922 and to March 1 have
shipped 20 per cent. more. The
Lake states (Michigan, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, North Dakota, South Da-
kota), with a 20 per cent. less crop,
have shipped 10 per cent. more,
while the Mountain states (Colora-
do, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and
.Utah), with a 80 per cent. smaller
crop have shipped 10 per cent. more
The Pacific states Washington, Ore
gon. California;. with crop 20 per
cent. less than 1922, have shipped
> per cent. moro.
The stocks available March 1 for
shipment do not seem excessive in
any district and are apparently low
in the Lake district. The activity
and volume of movement from the
1872 crop emphasize the significance
of location of the crop with refer
ence to markets, disposition of con-
sumers to buy freely or otherwise
and the condition of transportation
facilities. 1t is well to keep these
influences in mind in the fall in
studying prospective markets, prices
and movement. AS related to the
1925 crop they favor very free move
ment. Hence the increased ship
ments. When these influences are
unfavorable and Il general curplus
exists as in the crop of 1921, life
less market and disappointing prices
prevail.
The United States last year had
3,SO0,OOO acres of potatoes, or about
D per cent. below the trend of acre
age and also less than per capita
acreage trend. Per capita produc-
ton has averaged 81 bushels and
allowing for year when not all the
crop was utilized. 80 bushels per
capita seems about the quantity
needed to maintain q stable market.
For a population in 1924 of 112.000.-
600 we would require 392 200, 600
bushels to give So bushels per cap
ita. With average yield at 972
bushels per acre. we would need
,O33,O00 acres in 1924 This is :,
per cent. more than the acreage Of
1923.
Present plans of the farmers in
dictate = per cent. decrease in the
total acreage but there Is much va
ration from one section to another
and actual paintings may depart no.
ticeably from current plans. The
nine southern states that produce
the early crop have planted or ex-
pect to plant from IL to II per cent.
more than last year and this may
mean more competition with early
potatoes III northern districts. In
per cent. of last year the expected
acreage now are: New York, 103;
Pennsylvania, 105; New Jersey. 90;
Michigan, 80; Wisconsin, %; Mime
sofa. 80; North Dakota. %; South
Dakota, so; Montana. so; Wyoming
1O5; Colorado, So; Idaho. IS: Wash
ington, 02; Obregon. 80. If these
plans go through it means n sub
stantial decrease in the Lake states,
the mountain states excepting wy
oming and the Northwest
New England potato men believe
this Is their opportunity. and they
plan 8 per cent. gain over last year.
Aroostook is planning 10 per cent.
gain, but some other counties pre-
dict decreases while each other state
expects Is per cent. to 1G per cent.
gain.
Fertilizer for New England is re-
ported in liberal supply and prices
about 5 per cent. above last year.
while farm machinery stocks are
ample and prices about per cent.
above 4 year ago. The farm labor
situation Just now is easier than
some weeks back. due perhaps to
slack employment in textile mills,
shoe factories and perhaps others.l
However, il demand in urban in.
dustry again becomes brisk the
shortage of farm labor will quickly
become acute. How long the free
and active buying will continue in
consuming centers is an influence to
be kept in mind. If sweet potato
growers carry out their plans they
will have the largest acreage ever
planted and sweet potatoes in some
measure compete with white pota-
toes.
G. D. STEVENS,