WAUPACA COUNTY REPUBLICAN

February 13, 1891

 

THE POTATO BELT

Waupaca, Waushara and Portage Command Attention.

 

            The Stevens Point Journal in an article on the “potato belt” of Wisconsin, embracing Waupaca, Waushara and Portage counties, says:

            Experience has proved that diversified farming pays best, but at the same time the natural advantages of a county or district makes it profitable to make a specialty of some crop, not going in head over heels, but with reason and good judgment.  In some sections stock raising may be more profitable while in others dairying can be carried on to better advantage.  In these three counties, the great specialty should be potatoes.  Let each one of them feel an interest in making this the great potato belt of Wisconsin.  This will improve the market, bring in buyers, cause more railroads to be constructed, and increase the value of farming lands.  The improvement of one county will not detract from the value of the other – it will add to it.  There need be no jealousy.  It is something we are all interested in.  The crop in these three counties, this year, will not fall short of a million and a half of dollars – perhaps it will go over that amount, but we do not wish to over estimate it.  This year the price has been greater than for several years past but at 25 cents potatoes pay better, so farmers tell us, than any other crop. Farmers should take special pains to raise a good quality of potatoes.  Only the very best seed should be planted.  As much care should be taken in selecting good seed (not mixed seed) as in wheat, corn or other crops.  And right here we would say than an article on the best seed, how to best prepare the land etc., would be worthy of a place in any newspaper in this section.  We would be glad to give space to such an article.

 

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            The farmers of the counties mentioned would make money by sending a man through the eastern states to advertise “Portage, Waupaca and Waushara county” potatoes.  He could be supplied with barrels or bags of potatoes neatly labeled as above or some other way – and thus create a demand for potatoes from the “Great Potato Belt of Wisconsin.”  This is the way California created a demand for her green and dried fruits, and it would work just as well with potatoes.  The soppy potato of some sections is no more to be compared with ours, than is the wild crab apple to the luscious greening grown in old New York state. The potato industry is bound to come to the front.  The sooner the farmers realize it and take advantage of their soil, the better.