How to Raise World-Record Potatoes

[In 1917, the Church offered a $1,000 prize for the best potato yield. It was won by Elder Charles R. Pugh, president of the 85th quorum of Seventy, Kanab stake. Many have written from all parts of the United Slates, desiring to know how the conditions under which this remarkable crop was produced which set a new world record. Information in detail follows, sent to the Era through courtesy of D. D. Rust, Kanab. Editors]

In response to inquiry, with reference to the production of 825 bushels of potatoes on one acre of ground, which won the thousand-dollar prize offered by the "Mormon" Church, in 1917, I will state briefly the facts regarding the production: 1. This yield was made on my Sink Valley ranch, about 30 miles north of Kanab, near Alton, in Kane county, Utah. The land is on a gentle slope to the south with a high mountain background to the north. It was originally a flood plain covered with wild rosebrush and black sage. The soil is a sand- clay-loam easy to mulch and not easy to bake. 2. The altitude of Sink Valley is a little above 7,000 feet, and the annual precipitation is between 25 and 30 inches average. The moisture is well distributed throughout the year. In the winter, usually one to two feet of snow lies on the ground for three to five months. 3. The previous crop was alfalfa for ten years and wheat for one year. The alfalfa was ploughed up deep in the fall of 1915 and the land seeded to wheat, the spring of 1916. An excellent yield of wheat was harvested in the fall, and the stubble ploughed nine inches deep in October, 1916. The land was left rough and was covered during the fall and early winter with a good coat of coarse manure, 100 loads to the acre. A

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thorough harrowing was given in the spring of 1917, as soon as the soil was in condition to work, and three more harrowings were given before planting time, after each shower, to keep the ground well mulched and to mix the manure with the soil. 4. The seed was "Golden Coin," a variety imported into the country about ten years ago. Healthy, smooth, well-shaped, medium-sized potatoes were selected from the cellar. The stem end was not planted. The rest of the potato was cut so as to provide one eye for each piece. The seed had not been treated for disease. 5. Commenced planting May 10, 1917. The seed was dropped by hand, one piece in a place, six to eight inches apart, and ploughed in four inches deep with rows three feet apart (every third furrow). As soon as planting was completed the ground was harrowed over three times. Three harrowings more were given before the plants came up. No harrowing after plants came up. 6. As soon as rows of plants showed well above the ground, run through with small cultivator. This was repeated three times before plants blossomed. Hoed weeds around and hilled up plants just as blossoming began. When in full bloom, ran through with shovel plow, hilling up plants, and making furrow for irrigation. 7. In irrigating, I used a small stream in each furrow, and let soak from twelve to thirty-six hours, until moisture reached plants thoroughly. After first irrigation, the cultivator and hoe were used again for the last time. Irrigation was continued at such intervals as to keep the soil full of moisture, but not muddv. After second irrigation, further cultivation was not practicable as the vines then covered the ground, and were lopped down. 8. Digging; commenced, October 15, and was done with a shaker potato digger put out by the Moline Plow Company. 9. The yield was 825 bushels of clean, marketable potatoes, on one acre of ground. The land was measured, and the po- tatoes weighed bv a disinterested committee of three, appointed by the "Mormon" Church bishopric of Kanab. The contest was entered in the name of the 85th Quorum of Seventy, a priest- hood organization of the Church, of which I am one of the seven presidents. 10. This yield, which I am informed sets a new record for the world, is not extraordinary for my Sink Valley farm. The production on an acre and a quarter, the following year, 1918, was 1,000 bushels. And previous years were close up to that mark. Very sincerely, Kanab, Utah (Signed) Charles R. Pugh