Farmers Getting Only $1.25 to $1.75 a Barrel for Irish Potatoes, 1934

“Irish Potatoes Begin Moving at Bethel,” from the Rocky Mount Herald, Friday, June 15, 1934. Imagine working hard all season long and then realizing that you won't break even because the market's paying $1.25 a barrel instead of the $2.25 it paid last year.

Greenville, June 9--The movement of Irish potatoes has been started at Bethel, one of the greatest “spud” producing centers in this part of the state. Although the industry has not hit its stride yet, this is expected to take place around the 15^th when thousands of barrels will be shipped from this town daily over a period of two weeks.

Farmers, who last year enjoyed a profit on their sales, are faced by lower price conditions this year with indications that they may break even if prices to not drop lower. Last year “spuds” sold for around $2.25 to $2.50 at the height of the season, but this year with the season just beginning the price is from $1.25 to $1.75 a barrel.