DEAR VEGETABLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 14

DEAR VEGETABLES

PRICES UNUSUALLY HIGH EFFECTS OF ADVERSE WEATHER Continued dry weather during the last few weeks combined with a bad growing season earlier this year has had the effect of keeping vegetable prices in Auckland unusually high for the time of the year. Potatoes, cabbage and cauliflower are the crops which have suffered most, and the consequent shortage of these vegetables at tho city markets has been reflected in ruling prices as much as 80 per cent higher than at the same date last year. Early potato crops were adversely affected ny abnormal weather during the period* of first growth, and recent dry weather has delayed those planted later. The shortage has to some extent been relieved by the arrival of supplies from southern growers, but these have not been sufficient to compensate for the local deficiency. Poor growth has been experienced among cabbage and cauliflower crops, and qualitv as well as quantity has suffered. The season for these vegetables is now nearly over, and increasing supplies of green peas and beans nre coming forward, prices for which are not unduly high. Growers have also had to meet greater demands on their available labour as a consequence of the lack of rain, many workers being engaged almost wholly in watering tho plants.