THE NATIVE KUMARA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7685, 8 February 1904, Page 2

THE NATIVE KUMARA.

A Valuable Food Plant.

Interesting Reminiscence of the Past.

The native kumara seems to be gradually winning its way into public favour as a vegetable. It would |S be a pity, indeed, if it, and all its traditions, were to be lost to New Zealanders. Previous to the introduction and general distribution of European food plant the kumara was to the Maoris the mainstay of life, and was regarded with the greatest respect, and even with veneration. Its cultivation called forth the utmost care and ingenuity, and was accompanied by tho strictest and most elaborate religious observances. In a paper published in the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," Archdeacon Walsh states that, according to a very general tradition the Maori pioneers made a special expedition back to their old home in the Pacific to procure a supply of tbis vegetable for cultivation. Tbat they brought back a large and well assorted stock is evidenced by the f_ct tbat Mr Colenso noticed no fewer than 30 distinct varieties, all of which must have been imported, as the plant has never been known to seed in New Zealand. During late years, unfortunately, many of these varieties have been lost. In the old days, the planting of the kumara was a sort of tribal festival.