POTATOES FOR EGYPT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20602, 1 November 1941, Page 3

POTATOES FOR EGYPT

BIG AUSTRALIAN ORDER The Department of Agriculture expects to receive from overseas an order for up to 500 p tons of potatoes for seed, of the varieties Early Carmen, Late Carmen and Up-to-date. Potato growers who have stocks of these varieties are asked to communicate immediately with their regular agents, indicating the quantities they have available, states “Stock and Land,” of Melbourne. Potatoes must be from 1£ inches in diameter (seed size) up to table size, and must not include any tubers that are abnormal or coarse.

The price to be paid will be £5 a ton at tin) loading station, and the potatoes must be in new or in very sound, clean bagse. Sizes may be either graded separately or mixed. It is understood that the intention is to plant the potatoes in the fertile Nile Valley, where large crops could be produced. This would effect a saving of shipping space from Australia and would help to provide the troops with fresh potatoes. Melbourne merchants consider that at. this late period of the season it would be difficult for Victoria to supply the quantity of seed indicated. New Zealand has purchased moderate parcels of Ballarat Snowflakes.