THIS YEAR’S POTATO CROP IS RECORD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 14

THIS YEAR’S POTATO CROP IS RECORD.

(Special to the “ Star.’b WELLINGTON, July 21. It is expected that the Dominion’s potato crop of the season just closed will nearly reach the yield of 1908-9. Some very interesting figures of the crop, compiled by the Government Statistician, were made available by the Hon R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs. “ From the Statistician's report furnished to me.” said Mr Bollard, “it seems that the potato crop has this year evoked great interest on the part of merchants, brokers and farmers alike. About nine months ago the area under this crop was estimated at 22,500 acres, but the actual show that this has been slightly exceeded, the interim figure being a little more than 23.000 acres. Based on the average yield for the five seasons ending with 1924-25 it was thought that a total yield of 123,300 tons could be anticipated. Preliminary figures collected by personal canvass, however, showed that over 135,000 tons were dug or expected to be dug by growers throughout the Dominion. Now that the crop is practically all lifted verification cards have been posted to growers, and judging by those already returned there should be an increase of at least 10.000 tons on this figure, making a total of not less than 145,000 tons. It must be noted, however, that the figures quoted include tabic, seed and pig potatoes. In the light of the figures obtained it is

expected that the average yield will be second only to. that of the record 1908-9 season.”