Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-13
Potatoes Save Million
HANDFUL FROM u S. PLANTED BEFORE CHINESE

During the recent famine which swept
Kansu Province. China, leaving in its
wake death and desolation to thousands,
the foresight of Tennessee missionary,
william w. Simpson, brought about the
ouasi-miracle that saved the lives of
countless inhabitants OF the district
through the medium of handful of
potatoes.
Dr. Simpson. missionary of the Cen
eraI Council of the Assemblies of God,
row on Through in this country until
January of next year. TO-DAY in WsSh-
ington told the amazing story OF how
Is wears ago a few potatoes sent from
America. planted and carefully tended
bv the Christian missionaries along the
T'ibetan border, saved more than MIL
lion Chinese from starvation during the
drought and famine which lasted three
years, beginning in 1928.
DR.. Simpson began this work in China
over IS years ago. Just as missionaries
are spoken of as medical or religious
in character, this mans labor might
we'll BE- classified under the category
of agricultural missionary.
American and European missionaries
first penetrated the Kansu Province
over 40 years ago, and established the
first Christian missions in Taocllow tOld
City,. Potatoes, a local product were
found to be of low food value and were
of dwarfed size. To make matters
worse. the natives of this area. with no
thought of tomorrow. were eating the
best tubers each year, saving only the
poorest for seed. 1t was, of course, no
time until the crops were becoming Sd
sparse that some step had to be taken
II this food were to be saved for the
Chinese people in this part OF the
country.
Four Sent From Tennessee.
Mr.. Simpson wrote to his mother in
the United States requesting that she
send him some potatoes. Four Early
Rose tubers arrived by mail shortly
after. having made the Journey from
Tennessee to Taochow without mishap.
In 1897 the missionaries planted two Of
these tubers in Taochow and the other
two in Minchow. The results were
highly satisfactory and, flcurishing well
in Chinese soil, these plants yielded
many fine tubers at the first harvesting.
All were preserved the first year for
sesd by the cautious missionary plant
ers. Next year, however, half the har-
vest was given to the natives, and in
struction. as well, in cutting up the
largest tubers for seed. This was es-
sential to maintain the quality OF the
crop.
In few years the American potatoes
spread to several counties in the prov
ince, which numbered a population Of
10000, 900 people. Unfortunately, the
Boxer Rebellion, which resulted in the
recalling of ali Christians from the
district, brought food conditions to such
a pass that the Chinese fell back on
their old custom of eating only the best
of the crop In addition. negligence on
the part of the native planters allowed
the new variety to become mixed with
the diseased type indigenous to the
area.
When at last conditions permitted
the return of the missionaries to kansu
Province, the food value and flavor OF
the tuberS was found to be so lessened
that DR.. Simpson decided to send again
for nsw tubers from the United States.
Accordingly, friends in Massachusetts
mailed him a few Green Mountain po-
ts toes. These were planted by the mis-
sionaries in 1903 Having proflted by
former experience to some extent. at
least. the Chinese planters soon took
advanta ge Of the new tubers and quickly
ly replaced both their native potatoes
and even the Early Rose type with this
new variety. which responded so well
to their agricultural conditions and
methods
Population Is Stricken.
Since 1928, when the worst famine
the world has ever known has been
ravaging the Kensu Province and the
Shensi Province to the eastward, nearly
half the population of these areas
persisted. Where cultivation of the
Green Mountain potato had been en-
couraged however, almost the entire
population was able to survive. 1t was