124 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



POTATOES 



Value of the crop. Potatoes are now regarded as almost 

 a necessary part of our daily bill of fare. Besides, consider- 

 able quantities are used for stock feeding, starch making, 

 and other purposes. 



The production of potatoes for the entire country, in 

 1917, was estimated at 442,536,000 bushels, valued at 

 $543,865,000. For the five-year period of 1908-1912, the 

 average production per acre was only 96.2 bushels. A 

 much greater acre production is possible. In Utah, in 1916, 

 925 bushels were said to be produced by a boy, on one acre. 

 In certain sections of Colorado 800 bushels per acre have 

 been produced. Notwithstanding the possible large pro- 

 duction of the potato crop, the actual needs of the country 

 have at times required the importation of large quantities 

 from foreign countries. A good illustration of the effect of 

 low production may be cited. There was a shortage in 1916- 

 1917, the production amounting to only 285,000,000 bushels. 

 On account of the War no potatoes could be imported and 

 the retail price reached as much as eight cents per pound - 

 a price beyond the means of many people. A similar situ- 

 ation occurred in the spring of 1920, the retail price rising 

 to ten cents per pound. 



From this review of the agricultural importance of potato 

 production, it is apparent that there should be at least suf- 

 ficient production to supply the needs of the entire country, 

 making importation from other countries unnecessary. 



Potato growing has proved a profitable field for special 

 farming in regions well adapted by soil and climate for this 

 crop. Besides, in many places it is a source of profit as a 

 cash crop in general farming and is also valuable for home 



