FARM MANAGEMENT OX IRRIGATED FARMS 
15 
Idaho, Colorado, and Montana, having less freight to pay, were able 
to realize a higher farm price for potatoes. 
The California market has become increasingly important in 
recent years as an outlet for a part of the surplus potato production 
in western States, largely because the potato production in California 
has not kept pace with the demand. A 20-cent lower freight haul 
to San Francisco because of a combined boat and rail haul, gives 
the Yakima Valley potato grower a distinct marketing advantage 
over his principal competitors from southern Idaho. 
But in spite of advantages in supplying potatoes to Pacific North- 
west and California markets, Yakima Valley potato growers have 
often suffered severe losses along with their competitors in adjacent 
potato areas. This has been especially true in years of overproduc- 
tion of potatoes throughout the United States, which has automat- 
ically cut off the eastern markets, because of the low value of pota- 
toes and long freight hauls. A study of freight rates from Yakima, 
Wash., and other States having a large surplus production, to im- 
portant markets (Table 8) shows the importance of the freight 
handicap which western potato growers must face in supplying 
eastern potato markets. 
Table 
-Freight rates on potatoes from Yakima, Wash, and competitive States to 
important markets l (cents per 100 pound) 
To— 
From— 
San 
Fran- 
cisco 
Los 
Angeles 
Fort 
Worth 
Chicago 
New 
York 
Yakima, Wash. 
Cents 
I 2 36^ 
85 
G2 
Cents 
\ 76 
my 2 
106 
63H 
106 
Cents 
110 
94 
110 
87 
82 
106 
98 
Cents 
110 
77 
903 1 
77 
65 
26 
20M 
Cents 
151 
Idaho Falls, Idaho, 
Kalispell, Mont 
Ogden, Utah 
120 
151 
1 9 
Monte Vista, Colo . . 
120 
Minneapolis, Minn 
70 
Waupaca, Wis. . . 
113 
67 
'These are straight freight rates and do not include heater or refrigeration charges. 
2 Combination boat and rail rate. 
Compiled from report on "Idaho Late Potato Deal, season 1923-24. 
bles. 
Division of Fruits and Vegeta- 
Some of the marketing disadvantages incident to great distances 
to important markets can be partly overcome by featuring the high 
quality of local products and improving the machinery for efficienl 
marketing. 
Potato growers on western irrigated farms have a distinct advan- 
tage in quality over their eastern competitors. A few well-graded 
and branded bags of western potatoes now appear on eastern mark- 
ets and usually obtain a considerable premium over less carefully 
graded stock in plain bags. On December 8, 1923, the Chicago mar- 
ket quoted Idaho Russets U. S. No. 1 at SI. 85 to $2.25 per 100 
pounds; Wisconsin Whites U.S. No. 1. $1 to $1.10, and Minnesota 
Whites $0.90 to $1. This suggests the possibility of extending the 
markets for a part of the local potato crop. By careful grading and 
preserving the identity of potatoes which are to be shipped Long dis- 
tances and compete with potatoesfrom areas near the large markets. 
