EARLY POTATOES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19261, 27 August 1924, Page 8

EARLY POTATOES.

PRODUCE OF THE HILL COUNTRY. IFhom Oub Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, August 26. Early potatoes bring high prices, and the earliest district around Auckland Is in Titirangi and the Waitakere Ranges. One lot of .“earlies” is reported to have brought ’ !)d per lb for the Christchurch market. A paragraph in Saturday’s Herald referring to the potatoes in the Runchnan district caused an Gratia man to remark: “Call that early. Up in the hills we dug our early spuds weeks ago.” It is npt generally known to city people that the belt of country along the ranges never has frost, and while the city and suburbs experience frosty nights, the warm air that has risen with the approach of tho evening lies along the northern face of the ranges. It is a common experience for the hill dwellers to note the difference when travelling homo from the city. This Dolt of frost-free country m about 500 to 650 feet above sea level, and the soil is a rich semi-volvanic loam. The district is specially suited for lemons, oranges, early potatoes, passion fruit, etc., and the produce can be taken into the city in 45 minutes by motor lorry. It will probably be extensively developed in the near future.