EARLY POTATOES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 241, 8 September 1927, Page 7

EARLY POTATOES.

DAMAGE TO THE CROPS. LOSSES IN PUKEKOHE. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 7. The abnormally wet weather has had a most detrimental effect upon the early potato crops in the Pukekoh© district. In quite a number of cases the sets planted for early crops rotted completely, with the result that the replanting of big areas was necessary. This in itself is a serious matter for the producer, but, following as it does several unfavourable seasons, it makes the position untenable for the grower. It is comon knowledge that the potato and onion growers of Pukekohe were heavily, hit financially last season, and it is estimated that the district suffered to the extent of £50,000 through the unexpected 6lump in the market for this produce, while to this has to be added the loss sustained in the butter industry. The plain fact is that Pukekohe to-day is approximately £IOO,OOO poorer than it was twelve months ago, this being due to the unstable markets for farming produce —a staggering blow to such a small community as this. The present depression is being felt acutely by all sections, particularly in Pukekohe’s case by the tillers of the soil. Many growers were looking forward to the coming season optimistically, hoping to recoup some of the previous year’s losses, but fate seems to be against them. This year the unsettled weather has retarded work, and although some small areas may be dug within a few weeks the indications point to the season being much later than usual.