New potato variety on market soon

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33934, 29 August 1975, Page 8

New potato variety on market soon

f By

TERRY McGOVERNE

Visitors to the 1975 Industries Fair have had the chance to taste free of charge a variety of potato new to New Zealand. It is the Russet Burbank, from one of the finest potatogrowing areas in the world — Mr Trevor Mundy, of Belfast. one of New Zealand’s foremost potato growers, has high hopes for the success of the Idaho potato and he will shortly release his crop on to tn appearance, this American potato vaguelv resembles not as pitted In taste, it is perhaps sweeter than most varieties of local potatoes. It.

bakes and chips very well because it has more dry matter. Mr Mundy says any cook can boil the Idaho potato and have something left to serve; up, whereas some other varieties when overcooked will dissolve into a soggy, starchy mess that only the chickens will eat —if they are hungry. The circumstances surrounding the arrival of the Idaho in Canterbury are interesting. A graduate of the University of Idaho. Mr Will Anderson. thought he would produce two crops in one season To do this he had to come to New Zealand and grow a crop during the American winter By arrangement, he grew

a crop on a back-country! property, then returned home with most of the seed. The American agricultural authorities were not pleased about seeing New Zealand-; grown Idahos being imported.) They told Mr Anderson that he could import the seed, but ! he would not get the same ’latitude again. Mr Mundy uplifted the remains of the crop and planted them at his place, where they multiplied. He says that there are now about 25 acres of Idaho potatoes ready for marketing.; While he hopes the New Zealand housewife takes a liking to them, he does not expect them to become a serious rival to the widely accepted Ham Hardy. In spite of the potato cyst I

nematode, the Ministry ofAgriculture says that most growers will be able to grow; about the same area of potatoes this year bv using land which is not infected. The recent rain has put growers further and further behind in their spring programmes and forecasts are that some crops like onions and carrots will be a long way behind. Meanwhile, market prices for vegetables have been fluctuating with the weather,; and yesterday was no exception. Cauliflowers sold from 25c to 37c each, which was a slight increase on Wednesday's sale. Brussel sprouts\ sold from 15c to 20c per lb and cabbages up to 42c each. Some late arrivals remained) iunsold even though the price

was well below the auction prices. Carrots and parsnips sold yesterday at 10c and 15c per lb although buyers had to pay 5c to 10c per lb more than earlier in the week. Supplies of parsley were more readily available yesterday and went for 20c to 80c a bunch, although some North Island very large bunches sold up to Sl.BO. Yams are still firm at 25c per lb and lettuces 80c from the glasshouse, and from 16c ‘to 33c each. The markets report that there are adequate supplies of potatoes, pumpkins, and onions. Further supplies of Californian grapes and Australian jand New Zealand oranges will be available next week.