LOCAL PRODUSE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17234, 9 August 1919, Page 11

LOCAL PRODUSE CROPS.

PROS96CT& FOR THE SEASON. LARGE AREAS IN POTATOES. EARLY YIELDS EXPECTED. \ Prospects are favourable for a good crop of early potatoes in the Auckland district, providing no further heavy frosts are ex-; perienced. Seed and produce merchants ' state that there has been a very large ' increase in the quantity of seed potatoes i sold this year as compared with last year's , sales, and vary early crops are said to be ] j thriving. The demand for seed for the j i ordinary early crop, 'which is now being \ planted, is also large, Southern-grown seed being the most popular. It is anticipated ■ that heavy crops will be dug and that new , potatoes will be on the market at least a i month earlier than was the case last sea- ' son. The reason assigned for the large i increase in potato-growing operations is j that growers have been encouraged by the ' favourable season experienced last "year. ! both as regards the absence of blight and the satisfactory prices that were received. The local produce market is at present being supplied from the South, a.nd potatoes and onions are said to be coming to hand in .fair quantities. The market is moderately well supplied with chaff, the consignments from the South being supplemented by a fair local supply. Last seaBon s maize is also coming to hand from the Bay of Plenty, but the crops were seriously affected by frosts that were experienced during the dry weather in the late autumn, and local merchants state ' that the new supplies are not likely to cause any change in the prices that have , ruled of late. " j t Citrus fruit is coming on, to the market j m fair quantities, and locally-grown lemons and oranges are selling well. The crops are said to have been good in most localities, and it is stated that the local fruit will probably provide an abundant supply till toe usual shipments of American fruit | are received later in the year.