READY MARKET AWAITS SMALLER POTATO CROP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23023, 13 August 1949, Page 8

READY MARKET AWAITS SMALLER POTATO CROP

Because many district potatogrowers had their fingers burned in recent seasons, their crops clashing with the carlier-than-usual harvest of southern areas, the local planting was reduced. We have probably not much more than 300 acres in potatoes this season. Those growers who worked the law of averages and planted again appear •to stand every chance of securing food returns for their effort. It is learned that the yield from Pukekohe will be light. Fairly large areas of potatoes in Hawke's Bay were submerged under the flood-waters this week. Transport delays by sea have bogged down supplies of potatoes from the South Island, but that may be only temporary. Although the majority of the growers will not have their crops sufficiently advanced to consider digging for another three weeks, the market prospects will be of interest. Many may prefer to let their tubers size up somewhat more than usual before digging to give them a greater yield. That may be important from the point of view of the over-all supply position. . It has been the practice lately to dig as soon as the potatoes make the commercial size to catch the early market—unfortunately considered to be Gisborne’s only sure potato market in times of plenty. There appears to be every reason to believe that the position is changed this year, and that the Gisborne produce will be in good demand District Crops Scattered The early crops are scattered throughout the district in the almost frost-free areas at Wainui, Manutuke, Waeranga-o-hika and on some of the hill slopes with the right aspect. No blight troubles have been experienced so far. However, with the prospects so good and the lessons learned last season when blight slashed yields, many growers are taking the precaution to guard against trouble. Blight preventive sprays should be used freely so that full advantage may be taken of the opportunity to get the full pound out of the crops. Nicotine sulphate and arsenate of lead play no part, in the prevention of potato blight. Freshly prepared Bordeaux mixture or the proprietary lines of copper and lime solutions should be used. Normally, early Gisborne potatoes have been finding their way through the marketing channels well before this. The lateness this season has been due largely to the dry weather experienced early ‘in March. When the ground was hard. There was really no rain until Easter and in the cold spell that followed there was no growth. At this stage, however, the crops have shown great promise as it has been a grand growing season. The rain of the past week should put tons on to the district yield.