THE KUMARA CROP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20474, 28 January 1930, Page 5

THE KUMARA CROP.

■\ - ' points for Attention.

With the splendid conditions which have prevailed throughout the season the kumara plants should have made good growth if they were put, in in good time. It iss fortunate that the kumara is not affected by any fungous disease, or it would also, like the potato, be practically a failure as a, crop. It is to be hoped that the tubers lift in good condition so that they will be able to replace the potato to a certain extent as an everyday item on the menu. There are several, little matters in connection with this crop that should be attended to about this stage in the development of the plants. Ones of these is to prevent the trailing shoots from tak ing root at the nodes along the stems. I they do this the crop is spodt as th plant loses its individual character becomes a community of P lants ; f l ." h means that, instead of the strength of the plant being concentrated in one p , distributed over a greater portion of the plant. Feeding the Plants. The result is that the s m al l er and possibly less numerous, but the-de gree to which the crop is affected wiU derend on the length of time that, the toilers have beln allowed to .remain rooted. Every three weeks or so the gardener should go ovefr the plants an d Wt the trailers and place them aside a little. This will stop any tendency of the shoots lo root, as it is only when the nodes are in contact with the soil for any length of time that they attempt to root. To obtain the best possible crop it is necessary to consider the question of food at this stage. If the kumaras weve ; put in in a plot from which a crop of potatoes were taken it is usual not to apply much fertiliser when the plants ; are planted out. This course allows the plants to use up the food that is_ almost 0 certain to have been left in the soil from the previous crop, and then' when this supply has run out the .provision of more food may be attended to. Liquid manuring is the- usual method of providing this, but with "the present wet season the fertiliser may be dusted under the plants when the runners. are lifted and placed aside. It should be stirred into the soil a little in case it does not rain after the applicati&n has been made. Potash and Phosphorus, Not being a foliage crop the kumara does not require much nitrogen. Potash and phosphorus are the two plant foods that are most necessary, and these. may be supplied by .means of superphosphate or bonemeal and sulphate of potash. The phosphatic fertiliser should .be used m slightly greater quantities than the po - ash. The mixture should be applied a .. the rate of 2oz. per square ... _ If the gardener prefers if. ths ( ]i(J uid may be applied in the this* case, applications at intervals. -i the solution is .^ d % r up bo nemeal), and 2ioz. superphosphate (or _ _ fivo g 3 j. 2oz. sulphate of P otas *l * _. :t the plants lons of water. ' satisfactorily th*" arc not nitrogen- * inclusion of » j s so a ht deemed advis ? ble ' ibe included m *ho nitrate of soda may Ji uid , solution, fertiliser . ias the case X