POTATO SITUATION IN SCOTT COUNTY, lA. 269 



the early blight. Few men realize the extent of the damage caused 

 by this fungous. It is hoped that we can start some experiments to 

 demonstrate what bordeaux mixture will do in controlling this widely 

 prevalent disease. 



In the sixth place: A systematic effort must be made to improve 

 the quality of the potatoes produced so that they will be able to com- 

 pete more successfully with the northern product. The scab must be 

 eliminated, irregularities in size and shape must be discriminated 

 against, a definite standard to quality must be worked out and strictly 

 adhered to. As long as the farmer foolishly goes on marketing every- 

 thing just as it comes large and small; green or ripe; scabby or 

 smooth, he can not expect to get the price which will make potato 

 growing profitable. 



In the seventh place: Some improved system of marketing must 

 be worked out. At present time the buyers in the small towns do not 

 pay what potatoes are worth. This is partly the fault of the farmers 

 because it must be remembered that the potatoes that they are buying 

 are not of a standard such as the wholesale houses demand. Never- 

 theless it is undoubtedly true in many cases that potatoes have been 

 sold at these small towns for at least 25 cents less than what they 

 should have brought and there are instances on record of growers 

 who have happened to get in touch with men at distant points and 

 have readily secured this margin over the price paid at Eldridge and 

 Wolcott. 



The buyers in the city of Davenport are chiefly Jews and other 

 foreigners who make a practice of buying the potatoes at whatever 

 price they can be secured. Very often the price paid for practically 

 the same quality of potatoes on the same day will vary from 15 to 25 

 cents per bushel. Since these peddlers are shrewd bargainers and as 

 a rule will cheat the farmers at every opportunity the market con- 

 ditions are very unsatisfactory. 



A potato growers' organization is needed and needed bad in Scott 

 county for two reasons: First: To maintain high standards of 

 quality and be instrumental in the production of potatoes which will 

 meet the demand of the market and second; to secure a price for those 

 potatoes which will be approximately what they are worth and which 

 will render their production at a profit possible. 



Editor's Note: This paper was delivered before the Iowa State 

 Horticultural Society December, 1913.- The potato growers in 

 Nebraska have much the same problems that confront the Iowa 

 grower and the recommendations in this paper can well be put into 

 practice in Nebraska. Nebraska has in certain parts some of the 

 best potato land found anywhere and it is up to the growers to put the 

 right methods into practice and bring Nebraska potatoes to the fore- 

 front in the markets of the country. 



