POTATOES NOT DUG

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1933, Page 7

POTATOES NOT DUG

GROWERS’ HEAVY LOSSES.

RESULT OF LOW PRICES.

Pukekohe, Jan. 13.

Continued low prices for potatoes have made it unprofitable for growers in the Franklin district to dig and market their crops. The glut which set in before Christmas is therefore causing heavy loss to some farmers. This year’s yield is not exceptionally heavy and the area under crop is not abnormal. The failure in the market is attributed by the growers to a fall in demand.

Areas of ripe potatoes, ranging from a fraction of an acre to several acres in extent, are to be seen, with the tops of the potatoes well wilted. No move is being made to dig them. . The rain on Saturday is now precipitating a crisis in regard to these crops. The weather has continued warm, and with the soil moist there is danger of second growth. If the potatoes are allowed to sprout the difficulties of the farmer in later clearing the land for sowing some other crop may be great. To avoid this some growers have started digging without waiting for the prospect of being able to market the potatoes. They are bagging them and storing them in sheds or pits for later use. Should the potatoes keep successfully they will be in' competition with Southern potatoes on the market later in the year. It is estimated that the quantity of potatoes that a* present could be dug for storage about Pukekohe is in the vicinity of 2000 tons. ■