360 THE POTATO 



less of adaptability, potatoes, as in the past, will 

 doubtless continue to be grown on practically every 

 farm and in every considerable garden; conse- 

 quently yields per acre for the state may seem to 

 average low, comparatively; but in the real po- 

 tato districts in the more favoring seasons returns 

 of over 400 bushels per acre are realized, and an 

 output of 300 bushels or more is not at all un- 

 common. 



"The portion of the state proved most admi- 

 rably adapted to potatoes as a commercial crop is 

 known as the Kaw Valley potato district, in east- 

 ern Kansas, where large quantities are grown and 

 shipped each year. In the main, this consists of 

 sandy loam 'bottom' land, two to six miles wide, 

 adjacent to the Kaw or Kansas river, in the coun- 

 ties of Wyandotte, Johnson, Leavenworth, Doug- 

 las, Jefferson, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, and Wab- 

 aunsee, and extending westward 100 miles from 

 its joining with the Missouri at Kansas City. Of 

 the total Kansas area planted to Irish potatoes in 

 recent years more than one fourth is in these eight 

 counties, Wyandotte ordinarily leading in acres 

 and production. Nearly a third of the state's 

 crop, or practically all potatoes raised in Kansas 

 for export, is frequently the product of the coun- 

 ties named. 



"Early varieties for summer marketing are 

 planted mostly, and of these the Early Ohio is by 

 all odds the favorite, followed to a small extent by 

 the Early Rose and Triumph, as named. The 

 small proportion of late sorts planted are the Bur- 

 bank and Peachblow. Even for winter use the 

 early varieties are grown, and left undisturbed in 

 the ground until fall. While some home-grown 

 stock is planted, Northern-grown seed is found 



