THE POTATO MARKET

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12508, 22 May 1906, Page 9

THE POTATO MARKET

Friday's Southland ''Times" says:— "Th* l.trge amount of damage done by the potato blight to crops in Southland is being demonstrated by the quality or the deliveries. The blight soeme to havo b en almcfit general, as areas were affected which have not previously been, under the ban. At th? beginning af tho season local buyers wore anxious to do bus'ness with the holders of clean area.", and on bargains being concluded contracts for forward delivery were made. lit khio cases it will be impcK ible to de'/ive** cs contracted, the blight having so extended its sphere of activity. Price ; ruling at present vary from £10 to £12 per ton, the latter price beigg given for good quality. Deliveries aro fairly large, and growers show a f'trong disinclination to accept anything except top prices. Prices will probably ease to soma extent in consequ:nc? of the landing of a shipment of Vict rian potar.es at Dunedin, which, acc->rd''n<r tt> late information, is selling at £10 p?r ton." While th? potato blight has been rag ng throughout the colony this year, one locality at all events has escaped ito ravage feay~< the Mataiira "Ensign"). Tli3 Lake district is entirely immiin,-* frcm any trace of the blight, and has produced some magnificent crops ol Up-to-date and Derwent potatoes. The yields have been very heavy, and the buik his now been sold at h'gh prices, the growers in that district fitand to do wrll with their tubers. Potatoes from the Lakes district should make excellent seed for Southland and Otago fanners, whose crops hare been affectixl this year with the blight.