POTATOES 



Production of potatoes in Montana in 1928 fell below that of 1927 by about 

 12 per cent although acreage harvested in 1928 was about 1,000 acres larger than 

 in 1927. 



The 1928 crop as finally estimated was placed at 4,255,00 bushels compared 

 with the revised estimate of 4,860,000 bushels for the 1927 crop. 



The season started too dry for the crop even in the irrigated commercial 

 sections where considerable re-planting was necessary. Weather during July 

 was quite favorable but dry weather again in August helped reduce yields es- 

 pecially in western Montana. Weather at digging time was very favorable. The 

 average yield was about 115 bushels per acre compared with 135 bushels for th6 

 1927 crop. 



Prices to growers for their 1928 potatoes on December 1 averaged 55 cents 

 per bushel compared with the reported average of 65 cents on December 1, 1927. 

 Due to low prices, shipments have tended to exclude grades below number one. 

 Prices for seed potatoes have likewise been discouraging to growers. 



The smaller 1928 crop and unfavorable market conditions are reflected in 

 shipments which to date of January 12, 1929, for the 1928 crop have totaled only 

 234 cars against 406 cars to date of January 14, 1928, for the 1927 crop. The 

 total car movement from the 1927 crop was 1,376 cars with the large bulk of the 

 shipments coming later in the shipping season than usual. It is not expected 

 that total shipments from the 1928 crop will approach the total for last season in 

 proportion to the size of the two crops. Total shipments from the 1928 crop will 

 be reduced compared with last season both by reason of a smaller crop as well 

 as by a less favorable market for grades below number one potatoes. 



SUMMARY OF POTATO RAIL SHIPMENTS BY CROP YEARS 



Percent of 



Total No . Cars Total Crop Price 



Crop Production Shipped Shipped Dec. 1 



1923 3,960,000 757 11.4 $0.65 



1924 2,992,000 420 8.4 0.87 



1925 3,780,000 1,509 23.9 1.60 



1926 2,975,000 886 17.8 1.20 



1927 4,860,000 1,376 19.8 0.65 



1928 4,255,000 385* 0.55 



♦ Movement to March 30, 1929 — Shipping season from Sept. 1, to June 30th. 



APPLES 



Production of Montana apples in 1928 has exceeded that of any year since 

 1923, the December estimate being 516,000 bushels for the total apple crop com- 

 pared with 295,000 bushels for total apple production in 1927. The commercial 

 apple crop for 1928 was estimated at 157,000 barrels of about 3^/4 bushels each 

 compared with 51,000 barrels in 1927. 



The 1928 crop encountered more nearly average growing conditions than 

 has been the case since 1923, excluding 1926 when what was possibly' a more 

 favorable crop was badly damaged by an early freeze before more than about 

 half of the apples had been picked. Prices to growers for the 1928 apple crop 

 were not as favorable as for the 1927 production. The December 1 price per 

 bushel in 1928 averaged 90 cents or about 40 cents below that of December 1, 1927, 

 while the price per barrel or $2.65 for the 1928 crop compared with $3.60 for the 

 1927 crop. 



Shipments from the 1928 crop by January 12, 1929, had reached 521 cars 

 compared with 146 cars for the 1927 crop that moved to date of January 14, 1928. 

 The total for the season from the 1927 crop was 149 cars while for the 1928 crop 

 close to 600 cars would appear to be indicated. 



MONTANA APPLE PRODUCTION 1923-1928 



Cars Shipped 

 Year Total Production by Rail 



1923 990,000 451 



1924 290,000 173 



1925 80,000 29 



1926 325,000 343 



1927 295,000 149 



1928 516,000 523* 



* Total to February 2, 1928 — Season September to March 



33 



