FACTORS AFFECTING RETURNS FROM POTATOES 



91 



or digger Jointly and tluis reduce the individual expense. There were only 

 eight out of the 54 farms studied in 1926 on which the planter was not used. 

 It was either owned or hired hv the other 46 farmers. 



Table 11. — Differences in Labor per Acre for Planting and Harvesting by 

 Diiferent Methods on 120 Farms (1924-1925). 



Varieties of Potatoes. 



The acres of Green Mountains and Irish Cobblers grown in Concord and 

 Seekonk are shown in Table 12. Cobblers are most important in Seekonk 

 and less so in Concord. The answer to the query as to which is more pro- 

 fitable depends on two things: average yield per acre of each variety over a 

 period of years and average price received. The table gives a summary com- 

 parison as to yields of these varieties where grown on the same farms in the 

 Seekonk and Concord areas. This is for only one year, but is suggestive of 

 the amount of thought and study that growers might well give to this problem. 

 With such a large difference in yield, and prices about the same, more Green 

 Mountains might profitably be grown, provided there is no great labor inter- 

 ference with other enteri)rises. 



Table 12. — Yields of Green Mountains and Cobblers in the Concord and 

 Seekonk Areas, 1926. 



No. of Farms 



Acres in Potatoes 



Av. Yield per Acre (hu.) 



Fertilizer per Acre (lbs.) 



Manure per Acre (tons) 



Seed per Acre (bu.) 



Other Factors Affectiiu/ Yield per Acre. 



The foregoing discussion of the unit amounts of materials in each area 

 suggests ways in which labor and materials may be conserved. Reasons for 

 many of the variations are given and possible ways of improvement pointed 

 out. The preceding section on costs of special machinerj- shows the possibilities 

 open in that direction. Reference to different varieties has been made. 



Previous studies by many investigators have shown that jirobably the most 

 important factor in cost per bushel of potatoes is yield per acre. High yields, 

 if secured without undue expenditure for seed, fertilizer, or otiier factors, 

 mean lower costs per bushel. 



Rainfall, temperature, elevation, soil, and other natural factors have all 

 l)een shown to be associated with yield per acre. But these are all beyond 



