POTATOES 125 



use. The production of potatoes in its relation to domestic 

 consumption is low, and the possibility of large production 

 with good financial returns is shown by the experience of 

 many growers. Therefore, it is suggested that the growing 

 of potatoes, as a special crop as well as an incidental crop, 

 could be greatly increased with profit not only to the farmers 

 concerned, but to the consumers as well. 



There are two indirect benefits of potato growing that add 

 to its value as a farm enterprise the effect of a potato 

 crop on the soil and on the control of weeds. 



It has long been observed that various farm crops when 

 grown on land previously used for potatoes show a greater 

 yield than the average for such land. It is also necessary 

 for the best success in growing potatoes to rotate them with 

 other crops, preferably in a long rotation. Some crop should 

 therefore follow potatoes each year. This crop will ordinarily 

 be more productive than under the usual farm conditions of 

 production. 



In regard to the control of weeds, since potatoes must be 

 well cultivated, the clearing of weeds from the land is assured. 



In this connection one rather serious disadvantage of 

 potato growing should be mentioned it is not adapted to 

 unusual seasonal conditions, such as too much or too little 

 moisture. Under either of these conditions the crop is likely 

 to be a failure. 



Another point should be taken into consideration; during 

 seasons that are unusually favorable over a wide territory, 

 the production may be so great as to lower prices beyond the 

 margin of profit. Doubtless this difficulty will in time be 

 offset by the use of potatoes for other purposes than human 

 food ; for example, for starch making, production of alcohol 

 for fuel, feed for hogs, etc. If potato production should 



