May, 1925] FARM PRODUCTION IN CHESHIRE COUNTY 45 



Commercial production of potatoes, on the otlier hand, must yield a 

 return per hour of labor commensurate with what could be received from 

 employment in other occupations. Farmers in many sections of the 

 county have an opportunity to market their extra labor at good wages, and 

 potatoes should return an equally large income if they are to be an ad- 

 visable crop to grow. 



There are a number of farms, especially in Districts I, II and III, well 

 adapted to the use of potato machinery and to commercial production. 

 Potatoes require a large amount of labor, and the replacement of five or 

 ten acres of hay land with this crop would help to balance the irregular 

 labor demands of the present cropping system. They make a good cash 

 crop with a high return per acre. 



The yields obtained are very satisfactory. The average was 146 

 bushels per acre in 1924, in most cases with very poor care. Certified 

 seed was used on only a small number of fields, and only a small part of 

 the crop was sprayed. The average application of fertilizer was 592 

 pounds, whereas more than double this amount should be used. With 

 proper care and cultural practices, the yield on commercial fields should 

 average at least 200 bushels per acre. 



SIX ACRES OF POTATOES CxROWN FROM CERTIFIED SEED ON FARM OF 



J. W. WHIPPIE, MARLOW 



The average wholesale price to local stores in Keene during 1924 was SO 

 cents per bushel. This is much below the average for the last three years, 

 as shown in Figure 10, but at this price the return per acre would be $160. 



An estimate of the cost of production per acre on a ten-acre field at 

 present prices is as follows: 



Returns per acre, 200 bu. at 80c $160 . 00 



Expenses: 



Certified seed, 15 bu. at $1.50 $22 . 50 



Commercial fertilizer, 1800 lbs. at $36 32 .40 



Spray material 7 . 00 



Use of land 10 . 00 



Use of machinery 5 . 00 



Horse labor, 112 hrs. at 15c 16 . 80 



Miscellaneous 10 . 00 



Total cost outside of la])or 103 . 70 



Returns for labor $56 . 30 



