Potatoes at Normanby Show.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2382, 21 March 1893, Page 4

Potatoes at Normanby Show.

Special Notes^'or Stab.

A few remarks on the above may he of interest to your readers, and as a successful competitor in early potatoes on this coast, I may claim to have some practical knowledge of my subject. To commence with, I presume that the object of such competitions is tc show farmers which are the best and most prolific kinds of potato suited to the district — say Inglewood to Patea — with a view of growing them for sale. I consider that' the best early variety ought to have been left out at an autumn show, and two main crops and one late judged on points. I also consider Fiddler's Victory should not have been the compulsory exhibit, but Circular Head. I would also suggest to the committee giving next year &ix prizes of £1 first and 10s second for six varieties, 12 tubers of each, to be shown separately and judged separately. Circular Heads against Circular Heads, Snowflakes against Snowflakes, etc., etc., each variety for £1 Ist and 10s 2nd, Having had my grumble, I will come to the exhibition for Mr. Smith's prize. On the whole it was a splendid show, many of the tubers being perfect in shape and beautifully fine in grain when cut. Mr. John Mason, winner of the first and second prizes, had a splendid sample o£ Fiddler's Victory and Snowflake. He had, however, two fits of good luck, Ist that another competitor Bho wed Bruce as one variety, which is not a good table potato, which lost that gentleman first prize. 2nd That the judges, in cutting his Circular Head, second prize exhibit, did not cut one afterwards, cut by the public, which was unsound. The judges most courteously pointed out these two questions to me, on a protest being raised against Mr. Mason. The favourite potatoes shown were Snowflake (10 times) in 23 exhibits, Chicago Market, Beauty of Helxon, Bruce. The judges pointed out to me that whatever they went for would be largely planted, and no doubt this is correct. I will give a few notes on three varieties for your readers' guidance. Circular Heads imported many years ago from Tasmania. One grower in that district grows 4000 tons a year and exports them to Sydney per boat from Launceston. This is the old Irish potato that when first planted in Canada gave a nick name, " Blue Noses," to a whole nation. It is of first- claBS table and keeping quality, but wants good land or plenty of manure; is a heavy cropper, but much of the seed is run out. I intend getting some over from my brother in Tasmania for next September planting. The best sample I saw last season came from Stratford, and was sold cut by Mr Franklyn, inglewood, in one day for table use. For seed, this sample failed with me. Snowflake is a pure white flattish kidney potato (although the prize ones were oval) of very high class table properties. I grew it last year for main crop, and was very pleased with it. It will come very early, but wants good ground. Farmers going in for this cannot do wrong, as good seed Snowflake will always fetch £10 a ton. Good eating and seed potatoes are likely to be dear this year, as there is a great scarcity in Napier, where last year there was a terrible glut. I do not think farmers will put potatoes like Schoolmaster and other choice table kinds on trucks at 30s a ton again. Of. course, that price could never pay them. Bruce is a potato that came out here with a wonderful reputation three years ago. This season Yates sold every pound of seed they had. It was said to be frost-proof and diseaseresisting, and the farmers in Scotland gave the introducer a silver service for bringing it out in 1886. I have taken prizes with it as an early, and it eats well in light sandy soils, but in heavy soils it is a cattle potato, in my opinion ; it is a very heavy cropper, but cannot win where the judges know their business for maincrop table varieties. I will give, in my judgment, three best early and three best main-crop, this season, in district Waitara to Hawera: — 1. White Elephant — Early or maincrop, a very large, light pink; is perhaps rather coarse, but never fails to come up every set ; wants good ground or much manure, does not keep well. 2. Schoolmaster — Early or main-crop ; a fast grower ; the best potato 1 had on my table, as grown at Eltham, but other growers do not agree with me ; I intend to plant largely next year ; good keeper with me. 3. The Daniel — Medium or main-crop ; comes very large, and a heavy cropper ; is rather coarse with me, but good table kind on whole ; do not know as to keeping qualities. 4 Fluke— Medium early. A splendid table variety if you get it true to name. Two great judges here grew only this for their own table in "New Zealand and at Home. I won with it at Patea in December last against the strongest class on the coast. It comes after A.sh Leaf Kidney, the best early is lone. Seed has been sent for to England. 5. Circular Head— As per notes above. 6. Forty Fold —As ?rown and exhibited by Mr. Sparkes, i iNgaire; in the opinion of many judges ] ;his was the best potato shown at Normanby for a good cottager's sort, 1 Hie red Bmooth skin had the polish )f marble, and the potato is Al for ;he table. It is supposed to have ■un out in England, but has evidently aken a new lease "of life in New Zealand. As the name indicates, it s an extraordinarily heavy cropper, md will keep till" the next year f wanted. I hope that nany of your readers will show at Yew Plymouth on April 15, where I hink your end would take all the irizas in late sorts. "With permission f the editor of the Stab, I will give pecial list of early sorts I intend Wanting next May, and with which I ope once more to come out top of be class.