Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-05-31 | Page 18 | Urges Salt Lakers to Plant Potatoes

URGES IT LAKERS TO PLUM POTATOES Dr. John A. Widtsoe Foresees Fore-sees High Price During Next Winter. Unless the people of Salt Lake commence com-mence at once to put every available foot of land in potatoes, which may be planted with advantage the next week or ten days, the price of this vegetable here next winter win-ter will be higher than for many years, JLn the opinion of Dr. John A. Widtsoe, chairman of the city committee on agriculture agri-culture and food production. Dr. Widtsoe Widt-soe yesterday made an appeal to every owner of vacant land that could be made to raise potatoes, to see that it was planted as soon as possible. He declared from a canvass which he had made, he was convinced that not nearly the acreage of potatoes had been planted his year as last. Dr. Widtsoe pointed out that freight rates would rise within the nex,t two weeks; the railroads of the country would be needed to carry commodities most needed by the United States and her allies, and it is the duty of every citizen to assist in raising as much food as near home as possible. Dr. Widtsoe urged that enough potatoes be planted in the Salt Lake valley within the next ten days to suply, at least, the needs of the city until the next crop could be harvested. It was pointed out that, following the heavy rain of Wednesday night, the ground is in splendid condition for plowing plow-ing and planting. Other members of the city committee joined Dr. Widtsoe in urging immediate steps be taken to plant every available foot of land in Salt Lake county, as well as the adjoining counties, in potatoes, and that the planting be clone within the next ten days or two weeks.