POTATO-GROWING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17726, 10 September 1919, Page 9

POTATO-GROWING

EXPANSION LEAGUE'S COMPETITION. The Educational Committee of the Otago Expansion League has issued a report on toe potato-growing competition held under ita auspices last season. The competition was originally suggested by Mr K. t>. Creen. Its purpose was to stimulate tho interest of the rising generation in country jite and country pursuits, to create a spirit of hea'thy rivalry amongst the boys, and also 10 toaen them how to grow things profitably. Tht chairman (Mr S. B. M'Donald) and members of the committee gavo considerable) thought to the proposal, and received publications from the United States and New Soutli Wales giving tho details of tho boys' agricultural clubs formed in these oouj:lri'es. The success attending them isad hwn so great that the committee felt euro that onco a start could be made in Now Zealand tho idea would catch on. With that end in view they prepared a basis of n, competition in potato growing, and submitted it to the •various branches of tho league uid ether persons, Th© executivo adopted the proposal the rules suggested by the committee. These were sent out, and two districts at least—Beaumont and Momoaa— took on the competition heartily and entered boys for it. Unfortunately the season was a n-ost oisappointing one. A cold, wet spriug \ias followed by a 6evere- frost, almost in midsummer, which effectually ruined the chances of several competitors. Despite the** drawbacks, a very creditable showing was itade, and a sample of the growth ot ci-e of the competitors was exhibited at the Winter Show. The -utility of this competition and the effect it would havo upon the country vero forcibly brought before the Hon. Mr Guthrie (Minister of Lands) during a visit to Dunedin. Mr Guthrie promised to look into the matter and to give the .'eaguo nil tho assistance in his power to carry out ita project. Copies of the outline of the scheme wore supplied to all members of J'ar.'iamont, and a considerable interest has thereby i*on aroused. The Minister was asked for a subsidy towards the expense of organising and overseeing the competition, but so far no practical reply has been received, although the league hag been assured of a large amount of sympathy. Offioers of the Agricultural Department have been instructed to render any assistance possible to the league, and this matter will doubtless, receive attention by the committee during the forth.comiug season. It has been decided that the competition for the ensuing year will again be potato growing, but the experience gained last year has caused the committee to change the area from' one-eighth to one-twentieth of an acre, and also to- endeavour to procure a plot of land whereon all competitors shall grow the potatoes for this season. The idea of this is that it will equalise the opportunities, and also enable a greater educative value to .be given to the competition because the teacher or supervisor will have all the competitors and their work under his eye. The committee recommends that the plot ? V? m the townsm 'P of Dunkeld, owned by ..Mr .'Thomas Geeves, Beaumont, be leased for a period of five years, with the right ot renewal for another five years if necessary, at a yearly rental of £2 10s. Tho cost of fencing, etc., could be realised by a small charge on each of the competitors by way of rental for the plot utilised by them. Tho advantages of having such an area are centralisation, increased public interest, easy accessibility, and easy supervision; and the exact cost of production can bo checked. A similar offer has been received from JVgapara, but the committee has decided not to accept it this year, pending a visit from Mr Creen who will look into the position prior to the committee giving a final dceision. ' The following is the result of the competi-tion:-William P. Collins, Beaumont 1Ernest Pearson, Beaumont, 2; George Momo°na, ?° mOna ' 3; WiUiam M ' Hattl0 > The marks gained for the highest yield of marketable tubers, and the greatest profit the rekti - fti °» s Ifi^f 6, " 5 * Prke ™ nn f r secure d a yield of 16.26 tons per acre of table potatoes, and 6.43 -tons per acre of seed potatoes He wrote an intelligent description of his wojl giving particulars of cultivation, planthW manuring, harvesting, and cost. P Turnfp manure was used at the rate of lOcwt to b^nT'TT 1 thB . PlO f t 71 s *° Proven* bbght. The cost of labour, seed, manure ■value .of the crop was £21 9 S Id This works out at a profit of £107 4s 8d per acre acre *** ° f **> pl °* Was of a^