Wisconsin Potato Industry

Waupaca Post

September 10, 1908

THE POTATO INDUSTRY OF WISCONSIN

Waupaca, Wis., Sept. 6 –

It is not generally known, the extent of the potato industry in the state notwithstanding the annual yield is more than 30,000,000 bushels, which are grown in a comparatively few counties in the central and northwestern portion, where the soil is a sandy loam and easily worked at moderate expense. The potato crops have been the principal ones that the farms depend on largely for their profits and with few exceptions the results have been satisfactory.

The great Potato Bake and Barbecue which will begin tomorrow, it is expected will open the eyes of all American people to the great importance of the potato industry, of which Waupaca is the chief shipping center.

Waupaca Central Shipping Point.

Waupaca is located in the center of the potato belt and is the largest shipping station in the state if not in the United States. The Potato Bake idea was conceived properly to give prominence to the industry, the choice quality of the potatoes raised and the permanency of the business in supplying the markets of the United States. Surely the people of Wisconsin recognize this rapidly developing a portion of the many agricultural interest which make the state one of the foremost in the union. Waupaca county joins hands with the potato belt counties on the occasion of the Potato Bake in making it an annual affair. The interest and attractions, it is hoped, will increase and the experience gained at the Potato Bake this year be helpful hereafter.

J.P. Murray, ex-chief food inspector of Chicago, is preparing the barbecue which consists of choice native beef from Chicago packing houses and cooked over charcoal in a trench forty feet long. The potatoes are baked in ovens of stone and will be served in three different styles. Potatoes, 15x20 feet in size, painted on canvas, will be part of the street decoration. Indian bands, balloon ascensions, illuminated street parades; high wire performing and contests are among the attractions. An immense crowd will be here Monday to inaugurate the Potato Bake.

The Potato Bake was worked up through the Business Men’s Advancement Association, which is one of the most active in the state.

Fighting Potato Pests

There is the ever present potato bug, and of late years blight and scab, to contend with in growing potatoes. The state experimental station at Madison has sent its representatives throughout the potato belt, making many important and valuable test with the growing crop in preventing blight by spraying frequently with Bordeaux mixture.

The first work of this nature was taken up at Waupaca in 1904, but as the blight did not strike potatoes that year, no comparisons could be made. In 1905 and 1906 the seasons were favorable for blight and it developed rapidly in August and September, reducing the yield 50 to 75 per cent. In these years the potatoes that were sprayed yielded from 25 to 145 per cent greater than the unsprayed ones. The fact that it is not certain when potatoes will blight makes the grower somewhat negligent in spraying. Experiments show that if the total acreage of potatoes were free from blight the yearly yield would average 45,000,000 bushels.

Obtain The Best Results

In growing potatoes the best results are obtained in plowing under green clover and when compared with other fertilizer the following is shown, in one of the northern counties:

One Acre Yield

Green clover fertilizer .239 bu. 30 p.

Barnyard manure 10 t. 183 bu. 27 p.

Nitrate of soda, 200 p. }

Sulphate of Potash 200} 182 bu. 51p.

Dessicated bone, 300 p}

- Milwaukee Free Press