Primary Production Committee’s Trial In Northland Cants

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1942, Page 4

Primary Production Committee’s Trial In Northland Cants

In view of allegations that potatoes are wastefully peeled in military camps, it is interesting to hear that the Whangarei Primary Production Council recently had a test made at a large Northland camp by arrangement with the military authorities. Fifty pounds of potatoes were handed out, and they were weighed after peeling, when their weight was found to be 441b5., showing a loss of six pounds. The potato ration of each 'soldier is one lb per man a day. Based on experiment figures, which are likely to be better than those at camps not so well equipped and administered, total waste would be over 60 tons daily as a result of peeling. The council has therefore expressed to the National Production Board the opinion that potatoes should be boiled in their jackets after the ends have been cut off for seed purposes. Apart from making a saving of 10 to 12 per cent, in the quantity of potatoes used, the potatoes would be of greater nutritional value to th'e soldiers, and there would be made available seed for next season’s crop. A recommendation to this effect has been made tb the National Council.