Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 265, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1918 — INCREASE IN 'POTATO YIELD [ARTICLE]

INCREASE IN 'POTATO YIELD

V Average in This Country Har Risen From 71 to 87 Bushels Since 1894. Washington.—The yield of potatoes per acre Is gradually increasing, the records of the bureau of crop estimates show. During 1866-1874 the average was 91 bushels, but it declined to 71.3 bushels in 1875-1894. Perceptible recovery was made in the following ten-year period and a much larger recovery, rising to a new highwater mark, was reached in 1905-1914, with its average yield of 97 bushels per acre. This increase is due to various causes, among which are greater specialization of production, more intensive treatment ipid higher fertility of ■ j,he soil. The, ten-year average yield of 97 bushels, per acre in 1905-1914 was followed by 96.3 bushels In 1915,* 80.5 bushels in the very low year or 1916, and lf)0.8 bushels in 1917. Compared with population the yield of potatoes per acre declined from 1866-1874 to 1905-1914. The gain of production .per capita in recent years has been more because of increased acreage than because of Increased production per acre. \ 1