POTATO GROWING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 24 August 1927, Page 8

POTATO GROWING

ENGLISH EXPERIMENTS. THE BEST CROPPERS. A summary of potato experiments conducted during the last 10 years under the auspices of the Lancashire County Council, England, will prove of interest for the reason that several of the varieties mentioned have been brought to New Zealand by private individuals. The trials show that King Edward has consistently yielded one ton aud a-half of commercial potatoes fewer an acre than Kerr's Pink but owing to its greater market value it has actually given a higher return an acre than any other variety. An additional advantage is that it is easy to sell in a year when potatoes are plentiful, though, unfortunately the variety is deteriorating, and a smaller acreage is devoted to it each year. Ally has proved the heaviest cropper among the varieties immune from disease, but its cooking quality is distinctly inferior and the colour poor. Some authorities say, however, that as a cooker it has improved in the last few years. Majestic has been erratic in its cropping habit; it is somewhat waxy when boiled, but generally realises a good price for chipping, Tinwald Perfection has yielded well, especially on peaty lend, but the tubers are often rather too small; otherwise it would. be more widely grown. Hhoderic Dhu, awarded the Onnskirk gold medal in 1920, has disappointed expectations both in yield and quality Arran Comrade has the great drawback that it is easily susceptible to blight. The trials were conducted at five centres in the county, the varieties in each case receiving the same treatment and manuring as for the ordinary commercial crop. NEARLY FOURTEEN TONS. Arran Consul gave the heaviest yield—l 3 tons IS-jcwt, with 12 Lons 17 cwt tubers of marketable size. It is a late immune variety, being tested for the first time. The tubers are somewhat irregular in shape, round to oval with shallow eyes. The haulm is distinctive; it is oniy .moderately vigorous, of a dull grey-green colour a ! nd bears very few wide open . leaves, and a few white flowers on long stems. At each'centre it was considered a most promising variety, probably the most promising for sev eral years, but in some districts the haulm will not be dense enougn to keep the land free from weeds. When tested for cooking quality it was found to resemble Kerr's Pink in flavour, texture, and appearance, and as the eyes are shallow it is easier to peel and less wasteful. Kerr’s Pink was the next heaviest cropper (12 tons l(iicwt.);< the proportion of marketable tubers (10 tons 13fcwt.) was greater than usual, but it showed none of .the second growth which spoiled the sample last year and in- some previous years. This is the tenth successive year this variety has been included.in the trials, as on account of its good and consistent yields and excellent cooking qualities it is regarded as the best of the late varieties with which to compare the others. During these years its average yield has boon rather more than 11) tons an acre. A GOOD SECOND.

Greaf Scot came next in total yield, though not in marketable potatoes. It has produced just half a ton less than Kerr’s Pink, and this has happened so often in the past that it can be considered.a useful indicator as to lhe yield that can be expected from Kerr’s Pink. Its chief fault is a tendency to blight aUd a consequent loss through brown tubers if they are left too long in the soil. When cooked it is liable to be waterly, and compared unfavourably in both flavour and texture with all the other varieties except Ben Cruachan. Field Marshal, which gave approximately the same yield as Great Scot, was rather disappointing, as in the two previous years it gave about If tons more than than Great Scot, being top both times. It is a cross between Golden Wonder and Up-to-Date. It showed great superiority in the cooking test being of excellent flavour and texture, «.nd| even better in appearance than King Edward. It is most unfortunate tnat it is not immune to wart disease.