THE FARMERS’ CORNER

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 3 October 1945, Page 4

THE FARMERS’ CORNER

POTATO CROPS PLANTING TIME APPROACHING Floods, late blight, and inclement harvesting weather conditions have made the past season in many localities an unfortunate one for potato growers. Main potato crops in many districts are suitably planted about mid-October, coming through the ground when normally all danger from frost is past. .Principally because of the cooler climate, potatoes propagated in the South Island remain freer from virus disease than potatoes grown in the North Island, where degeneration due to virus disease may be very rapid. For this reason certification cf seed potatoes is almost entirely confined to the South Island. Canterbury grows over half the total Dominion acreage of potatoes, and regular North Island growers wisely obtain fresh stocks of southern certified seed each season. In order, that growers may obtain seed, of a required size, grading figures indicating the size of the tubers are ’entered on the tag attached to each sack of certified seed. These figures are. arrived at by weighing the smallest 16 and the largest 16 tubers of 100-ttiber lots drawn at random from each grade of seed. A grading figure of 3-soz. indicates that the average weight of the smallest 16 tubers is 3oz. and of the largest 16 soz. The seed required per adre depends on the size of seed planted, 3oz. seed (grade 2-40 z.) working out at 19cwt. per acre for SOin. rows with sets 18in. apart. A 2-4 oz. grade is suitable for the mechanical planter, but larger-sized seed is apt to be crushed, unless cut. Some varieties are less suitable than others for cutting, especially under dry conditions. Under-grade seed (1-2 oz.) from certified mother crops has been tagged, but again under dry conditions may prove less satisfactory than a larger grade of seed. Soils and Preparation. Potatoes are grown on a variety of soils, deep, fertile sandy loams being best suited for the crop, while wet, poorly-drained land or heavy clays are unsuitable. If the ground is very weedy, stiff, or stony, harvesting operations may be difficult. The best place in the rotation is after grass, but ploughing must have been sufficiently early to allow for thorough disintegration of the turf. Although a deep, friable tilth is required, a fine condition of the surface is unnecessary at planting time, but the seed must be well covered. Planting. Potato planters \ are now in common use among commercial growers,, but unless the ground has been worked deeply enough, the planter tends to leave the sets at too shallow a depth. When using the plough every third furrow is planted, making the rows approximately 30in. apart with sets 4in. to sin. deep and tubers spaced 15in. to 18in. apart in the rows. If a double moulder plough is used for planting, and the bottom is too consolidated, this should be s loosened, when tuber.\ will remain evenly spaced during - hand planting and will root better. After planting the rows are either split with the same plough or the area harrowed across the rows. Harrow as soon as possible to prevent the soil from drying out in the open drills- * After Cultivation. About TO days after planting harrow to kill germinating weeds and break any surface crust. Actually a last harrowing mav be undertaken when the crop is nearly Gin. high, after which regular cultivation between the rows with a suitable cultivator is necessary. As the plants develop the widths of cultivation must bo narrowed to avoid injury. Moulding should be carried out gradually, commencing toward! flowering time, with slight hilling of the rows for protection of the developing tubers. The final hilling may be carried out with the moulder' attachment on the cultivator, or with a moulder plough when the tops are beginning to touch in the rows. The final moulding should have a fairlv wide base, tapering to an edge at the top. Judgment is required as to the degree of moulding required. New tubers develop over the old set and unless sufficiently hilled will become exposed to the elements and attack from potato moth and infection from late blight spores washed off the foliage. Excessive hilling, on the other hand, tends to intensify the effects of dry weather .and reduce the root system. Fertiliser. The 3cwt. ration of superphosphate i? adequate, but the addition of lewt. of sulphate of ammonia or blood and bone may be warranted. Fertiliser should not be broadcast, but sown with the seed, in the drills. Sulphate of potash is sometimes used, and is said, to improve quality, but rarely has it been known to increase yields appreciably. Lime has a tendency to encourage scab diseases, and unless the soil is extremely acid, its use is not recommended. If the land is in really good heart, manure may have no effect. Main Crop Varieties. In the North Island Aucklander Short Top (Suttons Supreme) is 'he most popular variety. Being moderately early, the crop may be lifted at the end of March in time for autumn sowing of grass, an advantage not possessed by later-maturing varieties. Spraying for Late Blight. Late blight was 'widespread towards the. end of the growing period last season. Warm, muggy conditions favour the fungus, which may spread with surprising rapidity. In most districts the work involved disposes the majority of growers to take the risk of blight without spraying, but they carefully mould their crops to reduce infection among theftubers. Experience during the past season would indicated that in the moistev districts spraying would be advisable to safeguard crops of certain varieties which are move susceptible to late blight attack, for example, Jersey Beiies and King Edward, especially when these are being kept for seed or for early marketing.—(Journal of Agriculture.)

CATTLE PUMPKINS. Pumpkins grow well under .similar climatic conditions to maize. Both crops are very susceptible to frost, ana should be planted only when this risk in the locality is past. Ground intended for pumpkins should be well drained, early ploughed, and well supplied naturally with organic matter. If necessary, farmyard manure may bo used in the hills, biit 2cwt. of superphosphate per acre should be broadcast over the area to be planted. Pumpkins are planted In groups of 2 or 3 seeds Sin. to 12in. apart each way, about ?lb. of seed per acre being required. Regular growers carefully select'their seed from deepfleshed, long-keeping pumpkins, but unfortunately school children collect seed without regard to these qualities. Seed should be’ obtained only from a reliable source.