FAKMS AND CROPS 



59 



POTATOES 



The climate and soils of Montana are extremely favorable to the production of 

 large yields of potatoes of high quality, and the acreage has grown steadily until in 

 1922 there were 46,000 acres, the largest the state has had. Further increase is not 

 expected in the immediate future, for the high cost of transporting such a bulky crop 

 is a distinct limiting factor on net proceeds. 



Potatoes are raised over all the state on both irrigated and non-irrigated lands, 

 but the most of the commercial production is on irrigated land, with the notable ex- 

 ception of the region west of the Divide, and particularly Flathead county, where most 

 of the potatoes are grown without irrigation. In the counties at the east end of the 

 state potatoes are produced commercially without irrigation, as well as in scattered 

 sections elsewhere. Flathead county leads in total acreage given to potatoes, with 

 Ravalli and Richland the next two in this respect. 



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POTATOES BY YEARS 

 1882-1922 



