POTATOES IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 24 (Supplement)

POTATOES IN TARANAKI

LARGER AREAS PLANTED. RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES. (By “Tainui.”) The high price that ruled for potatoes this year has caused some Taranaki farmers to turn their attention more to growing the tuber. It has been demonstrated by some growers in the past that potatoes can be grown successfully in Taranaki, but potato growing has never been taken up seriously in the province. The lower prices ruling for dairy produce have caused some farmers to seek other avenues and each year has seen increasing areas of potatoes. This year there are some comparatively big areas p'anted in Taranaki, in the district from Urenui to Rahotu. In the latter district one settler has planted in potatoes an area of 20 acres that he had in wheat last year, while there are several areas in the Waitara and - Urenui districts ranging up to six and eight acres. They are looking well too and unless the muggy weather that prevailed last week is followed by blight some good crops should be harvested later. Many of the growers are spraying against blight. That early potatoes can be successfully grown in Taranaki has been demonstrated by Mrs. W. F. Goodin, Kaihihi Road, Okato. On this farm there is a splendid crop of new potatoes, which was dug first on September 30 and has been in constant use ever since.