Potato Crops

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 59, 3 December 1941, Page 9

Potato Crops

Sir,—The Minister of Agriculture is to be congratulated on warning us that we may have to face a serious shortage of potatoes this season. I feel that he might have gone further to help meet the position, since it is clear that it will be most difficult to import potatoes during the war.

Potatoes, during their early growth, respond very well fo cultivation, both between the rows- and plants, and a liberal application of the hoe, etc., will increase the yield substantially. Iu districts where there is blight, producers should be sure to spray the crop, full information being easily obtainable from produce merchants. The smaller potatoes being dug at this moment may be additional crops, since at this time of the year small seed are sufficient unless abnormally heavy rain continues. The planting of kumeras and pumpkins would also soften the blow and help out. Lastly, all forms of waste could be watched carefully. It is not so long ago that I saw more than one “dixie” of first-class potatoes being buried.— I am, etc-., R.TAV. . November 27.