Sweet-Potato Storage-Rots

Abstract

The production of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) in the United States in 1917 was estimated to be a little over 87,000,000 bushels, valued at more than $95,000,000 (Monthly Crop Report, December 1917). Of this quantity probably about 50,000,000 to 55,000,000 bushels were placed in storage either to be put on the market or to be used for home consumption throughout the winter months. While no accurate •data can be given, it is estimated that only about 33,000,000 to 38,000,000 bushels of the stored crop were actually consumed; the remainder were destroyed by storage-rot organisms before they reached the market. Based on the estimated average price of $I.IO per bushel for December 1917, the loss would be approximately $18,000,000.