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Circular No. 58 - Potato Production In Utah, George Stewart

UAES Circulars

Potatoes were the first crop planted in Utah. In July 1847, the Mormon pioneers turned the water from City Creek over the parched land near what is now the center of Salt Lake City. The ground was then broken and sown at once to potatoes. Only a small yield was obtained but this helped materially to eke out the meagre food supply until the harvest of 1848. During the several hard years that followed potatoes were among the most important foods for the pioneer settlers. Since then they have held a prominent place in the agriculture of the state.