Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-23
What Will Be Done
In 1926 In ArOOstOOk

There is much speculation in Aroos-
State as to probable acreage that will
be planted to potatoes in this county
the year of 1926 and this is question
that will go unanswered until the mid
will be known.
Again we refer TO the results of the
history Of this industry in Aroostook
county since 1898 when growing pota-
industry in the United States. The
statement in general in this, that
high priced seed produces low priced
stock and the reverse of this state
ment. In the years since 1893 this
has been the case, with a few possible
exceptions, twice in this time there
has been two low priced years in sue
cession and during the past four years
this condition varied to a greater or
less extent while other years have
been year of high price and then a
year of low.
When people, who do not know the
ArooStooll farmer or human nature
generally, attempt to say that there
will be be an organized movement to
reduce the average acreage in order
to increase the price of the product,
they are not acquainted with this
county and its people. If such a
movement was started. many would
agree to reduce the number of acres
planted and when the time came to
plant, would change their mind and in
hhit VII r,ft toll 8 tlAH-
thought the other fellow was going to
reduce, thinking that by SO doing they
would be in better position in case of
shorter crop, but the other fellow
and every one else in the agreement of
reduced acreage would think the
same way with the result that the
acreage would be normal or a general
average. This is something that can
not be done and the actual acreage will
be to what extent growers can finance
the crop, in buying seed and getting
fertilizer.
Some say that the high price of seed
Will prevent an abnormal acreage, and
to certain extent it will, yet there
are many farmers who are in a posi-
tiCn this year, to step out and buy
their seed if they have to, and get
credit if they must for fertilizer. so
that on the whole there does not seem
to be anything to guarantee a reduced
acreage.
The wheat crop of 1924 in the middle
west brought a better than aVera ge
price and those who had been grow
ing potatoes that sold for 80 cents
turned to wheat resulting i'll a large
, acreage of wheat and a consequently
! low price for their crop. whereas had
would have been perhaps better off.
and the price to the consumer might
have been lower whether it would or
not has nothing to do with the uues-
ton, but that was what happened.
Here is another question which must
! be considered to those planning to
. raise potatoes. that is the attitude of
/ the midwest farmer. especially those
! who grew wheat in 92J and saw pota-
! toes reach their present price, with
thousands of acres to be planted.
, would it not seem reasonable to think
! that these farmers in the wheat rails
| ing sections would turn to potatoes
! having in mind the good price of this
! commodity today?
/ The farmer who plans certain
! amount of potato acreage every year
! regardless of conditions has nothing
! to plan for the season of 1926. it APP
! plies more to those who have a gamb-
| ling instinct yet these men must not
| forget that according to history. next
J year is due for a low price. If the crop
| in the fall sells for less than it's cost
, to raise, the fewer a man has the bet
! ter off he will be and yet conserva
| tive acreage would seem to he the SAT-
! est way to play the game" and that
; is what it is and one of the strong at
| fractions to the ArooStook county
! farmer for growing potatoes, in addi-
! ton to the generally fair profit from
! the industry.
| Whatever the result will be in the
| fall of 1926. one thing is certain the
! Aroostook farmer will take it as it
comes and continue to live and enjoy
! this land where there are more COM
! forts and pleasures than elsewhere
! and if hardship comes he will accept it
t and if prosperity follows he will en-
i joy it.-Houlton Times.
!