58 POTATO DEVELOPMENT WORK IN WISCONSIN. 



ing of suitable warehouses for the storing and shipping of the 

 growers' crop, establishing a cash home market. While these 

 same pioneers have for years advocated better seed, uniformity 

 in size and good quality, they have met with many discourage- 

 ments and limited success. The present extension work of the 

 Horticultural Department of the University of Wisconsin in 

 conjunction with the Wisconsin Potato Growers Association, un- 

 der State auspices is removing all prejudice on the part of most 

 growers who in the past have been sceptical as to advance meth- 

 ods, bringing better returns, but are now convinced. The slo- 

 gan from now on of the Wisconsin potato grower is yield, qual- 

 ity and uniformity, and means to them substantial financial 

 returns. 



Following the present extension work, the Wisconsin Potato 

 Growers' Association must give the Wisconsin potato individu- 

 ality. It must be promoted, advertised and packed for market 

 in a manner attractive to both the consumer and trade. This is 

 a growers, not a dealers proposition. The promotion of the Wis- 

 consin potato means much hard work, the expenditure of money, 

 possibly some State aid, but with its individuality once estab- 

 lished, the demands will be always great and at the highest mar- 

 ket price. To create the right demand for the advanced Wis- 

 consin potato we believe that a standard package of 10, 20 and 

 30 pounds must be promoted. 



This package must be attractive in appearance, bearing a dis- 

 tinctive label which guarantees double value, uniformity in 

 size and quality and with this once done the Wisconsin potato 

 will occupy a place of its own. With the demand once created 

 for the selected Wisconsin potato, the large handlers and ship- 

 pers who now furnish the growers storage and shipping facili- 

 ties and a home cash market will pay higher prices for selected 

 potatoes which will be placed in attractive packages and go forth 

 to the great family markets where they will be displayed in 

 the grocer's window, attracting the attention of all. 



In conclusion let me prophesy that it won't be many years be- 

 fore the perfect Wisconsin potato will be selected in the field, 

 placed in crates and not distributed until it reaches the central- 

 ization plant, similar to the manner in which milk under mod- 

 ern methods is handled to-day They will then be washed and 

 packed in the attractive package ready for market with but one 

 handling from soil to consumer. Then the special heated potato 

 car will place these perfect potatoes in every large consuming 

 market regardless of weather conditions. 



