40 THIRD POTATO REPORT 



The three years of experience with potato-growing here at 

 the college, together with the reports from others throughout 

 the state, warrant us in feeling that the data herein given rep- 

 resent and stand for the conditions of our state. 



Following the results at the Experiment Station come tiie 

 reports from the farmers, which for convenience in comparison, 

 have been separated into counties. In comparing the various 

 counties it will be readily seen that some are far ahead of others 

 as potato sections ; also even in the same county some seem to 

 be able to grow good crops, while the average yield mav be 

 low. It is also evident that the returns per acre are greater in 

 the northern than in the southern part of the state. Why is 

 this.^ Some will say that their natural conditions are better ; 

 but the question might be raised. Why do a few in the southern 

 part get equally good results? These are questions worthv of 

 thought. The northern part of the state is farther from mar- 

 kets and the fact that it is necessary to raise more potatoes in 

 order to get equal returns from area planted, may be one 

 reason. A higher degree of cultivation and better systems of 

 lotation are also thought to exist in general farming in the 

 northern part of the state. 



POTATOES IX coos COUNTY 



The writer was greatly surprised to see the wonderful potato 

 industry in Coos county, especially about Colebrook. It is not 

 uncommon to see processions of wagons heavily laden with 

 the finest of potatoes on their way to market throughout the 

 potato season. A very enthusiastic young farmer, who is also 

 a graduate from the agricultural course of the college, Mr. Bur- 

 ton A. Corbett, B. S., located at Colebrook, was asked to write 

 a short sketch of potato growing, as practised in his section, 

 which we believe will be of interest. It is as follows : 



" In potato production Coos county is to this state what Aroostook county 

 is to the state of Maine. From the very first potatoes have been one of the 

 leading crops. Formerly nearly the whole crop was worked up into starch, 

 there having been six starch factories in the town of Colebrook alone. At 

 present nearly all the marketable potatoes are sold to local dealers, who ship 

 them, for the most part, to the larger towns and cities of southern New Eng- 

 land. The starch factories get but very few except the culls. 



