THE POTATO CROP

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21359, 31 May 1939, Page 3

THE POTATO CROP

yields below normal

FAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR DIGGING The weather conditions experienced for the last two months have been ideal from the potato growers point of view in that it has enabled them to dig the potatoes in a dry condition, a much happier state of affairs than was the case last season.

An an inspection of a line of potatoes dug fairly early the presence of dry rot to the extent of 15 to 20 per cent was found, this being due to the potatoes being dug and allowed to travel up the elevators of the digger without much soil, any potatoes marked developing dry rot fairly rapidly. It is too late this season to issue a warning but articles have appeared in this paper previously pointing out the necessity for care at the time of digging, ensuring that the potatoes are not damaged by the aprons of the digger. There is no doubt that this season will probably mean a loss to growers through dry rot. The warm conditions experienced since Christmas has been conducive to this development. From information to hand the yields on the average are below normal.

The seed potatoes this year should be of good quality and shape, lines that have been inspected being a good deal better than those of last year. One compensating factor this season is that while the yields are low the price to growers is more in keeping with the value of the commodity.