WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

May 15, 1903

 

THE POTATO QUESTION

The Festive Potato is a Puzzle

 

            For a number of years past the south ahs drawn upon Wisconsin and Michigan every winter for seed, such as the “Early Ohio” and “Early Hebron” and “Rose”, but more recent years the “Stray Beauty” a very early red stock has been the favorite prices ranging all the way from 55 cents to 65 cents for Ohios and 75 cents to 85 cents per bushel for the Stray Beauties during the months when they were in demand.

            The consequence has resulted in many farmers growing the best earliest varieties to supply the demand for seed in the south.  Of course those varieties do not yield like the Burbank or Rural sorts but the fancy price has been a great temptation to grow them as well as to hold this potato belt’s reputation for supplying anything or all that is wanted in that line.  But somehow or other there was no call for seed stock to speak of this year and while the Rurals and White varieties have jumped to 42 cents or better the past two weeks we know of farmers who have drawn loads of the finest Stray Beauties and only got 30 cents.

            The reason assigned for this great change in the seed demand is explained that the south had an exceptional good year last season and raised both an early and a late crop, the latter holding over well for their early seed, a condition which ahs not been frequent of late years.  Now the question confronts the farmers, will it pay to raise as many of the early sorts this season to bank on high prices for southern seed?  It will all depend on the season, but good judgment would dictate to raise some every year, because it may be all right.

            Will Ware says the real condition in the south as regards seed is:  dealers in the south bought some northern seed mixed it with southern seed and sold it to the planters.  The results has proven bad for the grower. Poor seed and wet weather has knocked out the early crop completely.