Hundreds of tons of potatoes were produced in the Escalante Valley each year, and the cultivator and digger greatly advanced potato production and harvesting. Thomas Sirls Terry Jr., son of Thomas Sirls and Mary Pan Terry, was involved with the experimental growing of the Rustic Burbank or Netted Gem developed by Luther Burbank, which eventually became known as the Idaho Russet potato. Seed potatoes were raised for two years on the Terry Ranch at Shoals Creek because of its virgin soil conditions and its remoteness from any other farms. The potatoes were bagged and sent to the Agricultural College in Logan and from there distributed throughout Southern Idaho and Northern Utah. It may be said that the seed potato for the Idaho Russet came from the Terry Ranch in Southern Utah.