EARLY POTATOES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19282, 20 September 1924, Page 15

EARLY POTATOES.

THE AUCKLAND CROP,

(From Orb Own Correspondent.! AUCKLAND, September 19. About 10 days ago tho early potato season started, and at present two trucks a day axe leaving Pukekohe. The price works out at £2B per ton, or 3d per lb. The early samples are very good, and _ fanners are digging good crops, but during tho past week the weather has been rather muggy and sultry, and blight is prevalent. If the weather continues as at present, crons will suffer and tho pric© will firm accordingly. The crop that is being dug npw was planted at tho end of May and early in June. As soon as the present crop is removed another crop will take its place. The ground will get a stroke of the harrows, and the green haulms will bo ■ carted off. In the meantime the seed which has been selected from tho crop just dug is allowed to lie exposed to the sun and weather for 10 days until it has turned green. It is then picked up and planted, and is ready for digging again in March, April, and May. This crop is known as tho Autumn Seed, and it is from this seed that tho success of potato growing has depended during the last 10 years in the Pukekohe district. There is no crop that is such a lottery as early potato growing. Cases are now on ’record whero a farmer has netted £IOOO from 10 acres of land in on© year. Again there are cases where through blight and a bad market farmers have worked hard for a year and loet money at the same time. In most oases th© crop will at least pay expenses and leave a small margin of pro'll t-