—The Potato.—

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 10

— The Potato.—

The ruin oars regarding the spread of disuse in this esculent are apparently extravagant or ill-founded -some of them it may bo from interssted motives, and othors from fche desire to create a scare. Tho latter idea has already shown its injurious, effect by the neighbouring State of Queensland! issuing a. prohibition order preventing the importation of potatoes from New Zealand This is of no great commercial importance, as relations with that State have been very limited. Our own Government may have been perfectly justified in issuing the edict stopping the e*porfc of potatoes grown in the Auckland Province to outsiders. The fngnt tias now become general, and extends to Otago. Ths disease named Irish rot is not yet defined, and the name is perhaps a stigma, on that country. It is a new one. and can have no connection with the disastrous failure in !846, when the disease appeared :u Britain suddenly, like a pestu-

ei oe m the night, spreading over the whole land. We are not yet furnished with reports from the Government on the matter. Meanwhile a state of doubt continues. Every cottager with his plot of ground is proud of grooving his own potatoes, early, ir odium, and late, for the us© of his own household. Market gardeners depend on the produce to a large extent for their income; and many of our farmers rely on it as a mainstay. Consumers are bewildered as to what sorts to buy.

The conflicting rumours are decidedly perplexing. A clipping from the Cromwell Argus, under date February 27, says, thiough a correspondent: — "The characteristics of the Northern Star potato are such as must prevent ifc ever becoming a favourite with either farmers or consumers. It would appear that the potato has a habit of sending out suckers or young shoots at long distances from the roots of the original set. Every tuber in the drill has a tendency to break forth in growth before they are nearly matured. This fault precludes the possibility of it being a good cooker, which in fact it is not. Owing to this so-called supertuberation it -would bo nueces^ary, when growing the potato extensively, to keep a horse and cart going round tha paddock with a supply of fresh soil with which to earth up the- mounds. Tho potato is not a disease resister, as the writer has seen tubers very badly streaked, while other potatoes in similar soil are sound and of good quality." This correspondent hopes that farmers may be prevented from experimenting with this potato, claiming superiority for Up-to-date (raised by the same grower, Mr Findlay) and Sutton's Flourball

The author of these opinions must possess the gift of prophecy as regards the qualities of the Northern Star, as in 1904, when first introduced, at a cost of 10s pev lb, they were too expensive for an article of diet, and this season's products vere too immature to form a judgment. His want of skill and observation in management are also apparent.

A focal writer informs us that of his plots of Up-to-date oil the one side. Ideal on the other (an early variety), with Northern Star in the centre, the two first-named, particularly Ideal, were so affected by disease that he speedily dug them up, and fearing that Norfchs-rn Star, which appeared innocuous, might from its- surroundings have been infested, hs had them also dug up, preventing a full reply to our queries, adding that J;he Northern Star as a cooker stood in the first rank. Another experimenter says: — "Among my varieties, Sutton's Flourball was the first to show any signs of distress. The leaves became spotted, and tho stems swollen, co I had tlem at once dug out." Awaiting results shown by replies to our queries, we shall not attempt a. judgment, giving the experience of the National Potato Society of London, published in January last, which, inter alia, says : — With a view of making selection, numerous circulars were sent round to growers asking information, which, being compiled in tabular form, shows : — (1) The presence of Royal Kidney, Factor, Sir John Llewellyn, and Northern Star in section after section proves the sterling, all-round value of these sorts.

(2) Mr Findlay's varieties loom largely throughout.

(3) Tha appearance of Evergood at the head of three sections proves that in spite of the disappointing results of which some growers hstve complained it is a variety to be reckoned with, especially for damp, heavy land. In the secretary's garden it has thriven splendidly.

(4) King Edward VII is the most popular coloured potato. (5) The prominence of Langworthy in th 3 best-for-flavour section will draw merited attention in England to a variety long esteemed in Scotland for its cooking qualities. (6) Up-to-date is declining in favour. (7) Discovery, as a lat-e disease-resisfcer, meets with much approval.

The total number of votes recorded was highest in section 2, being 91. These facts are "chiels that winna ding."