POTATO CULTURE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8, 24 August 1907, Page 21

POTATO CULTURE.

'HE growing of } potatoes during the past three seasons has, owing to the blight, 'been a very trying experience. It remains to be

seen whether this unwelcome visitant will, during the coming season, be as prevalent as before. There appears to be some hope that in the years to come this enemy of the potato will disappear, a hope which we are certain our readers, as well as every grower of the noble tuber, wish speedily to be realised. Be this as it may. we cannot afford to run the risk of losing our crop through neglecting preventive measures in the shape of spraying. No doubt many consider the spraying business a bother, and so it is: but it is, at the same time, our only hope of securing a crop, and if we

don’t intend to spray, it is better not to plant. There are some people, even at this late date, who question if spraying does any good; they will tell you they sprayed, and it was “no good.” Now, spraying to be effectual must be done in time. It is not of much use after the blight has got a good hold, for, be it clearly understood, spraying does not kill the fungoid growth, but it prevents it spreading, and where the spray rests on the leaves the blight cannot thrive. Spraying, therefore, to be effectual must be thorough; both sides of the row and under the leaves should be got at. Usually we find three sprayings sufficient, but when rain falls within 1 2hours after the operation, it should be repeated, as rain washes off the spray. The copper, and especially the lime, should be fresh, and be used immediately it is mixed; it is no use leaving it—as we have frequently seen done —overnight. We recommend the Bordeaux mixture for first spraying to be the 4.4.40 strength. In two to three weeks’ time the G.G.40 should be used, and for tKe last 8.8.40 will be found most effectual. Treacle dissolved and used at the rate of 1 pound to 20 gallons will make the mixture more adhesive. A small quantity of Paris Green is sometimes added, which keeps fly and other insects in check. When only small quan

fities of spray are required, or where fresh lime is not available, the readymixed powder Vermorite can be purchased; it is put up in packets, and simply requires water to be added to be ready for use. It is an economical and efficient spray, and can be obtained through seedsmen or storekeepers.

before planting is recommended, care being taken not to break the buds when planting out. Potatoes with thin or stringy eyes it is not advisable to plant. When the potatoes show above ground, cultivation should begin, stirring the ground frequently with a hoe; as they advance in growth they should be kept

It is generally admitted potatoes do best on a good sandy loam, but they can be grown with varying success on soils of all kinds, and in all conditions of fertility. An abundant use of fertilizers is most profitable. Old grass land well broken up is an excellent soil in which to plant. The manure should be spread in the furrows or rows, and the

free from weeds and earthed up on both sides. The rows in which potatoes are planted should be 2.1 feet wide, and the sets 15 to 18 inches apart. A change of seed yearly •or every second year is recommended. Doubtless our readers will be trying to make up their minds what kind of potatoes to plant. Owing to the blight,

seed planted at least four inches deep. Many growers differ as to planting whole or cut seed or “sets.” We have seen splendid crops from both, and the only thing to guard against is too early planting with cut sets, as they are then veryapt to rot in the soil. For early planting we strongly advise using whole seed about the size of a hen egg. To secure very early potatoes, sprouting in boxes

some of our really good old favourites have almost disappeared. It is now dillieult to procure such fine-flavoured sorts as the old ashleaf kidney. Lapstone, Early Norther. Early Puritan, etc., and the loss of these really good kinds is to be regretted, as those taking their places are not, as a rule, equal in quality. If one takes up a potato catalogue to make a selection, and tools the long de-

scriptions appended to many of the new sorts enumerated, you will be struck with the oft-reiterated words “blight resistant,’' and you begin to think: “Ah! well, if we have lost our old ash leaf friends, here is something which resists the blight,” but we venture to say if you take the words literally you will be woefully disappointed. The "blight resistant’’ should be received with a pinch of salt, or, at all events, should not be taken to mean that you can plant and have a crop without spraying. We have

tried a very large number of sorts, probably a good many more than those the Government displayed at any of our exhibitions, and out of the whole lot we have failed to find one absolutely blight resistant. True, there are sorts which stand against the disease longer than others, but we have not found a single variety which is absolutely blight proof; indeed, there is a fortune waiting the man who can produce such a tuber, and here it may not be out of place if we venture to suggest to the powers that be that although the Government exhibits <>f nice dishes of named sorts at our shows are very interesting to a few farmers and gardeners, such exhibits might be still more instructive and of an educative use were their blighting ten-

dencies noted <>n the name cards. Cropping and keeping qualities could also be noted, their "running" or cluster characteristics might also be noticed. Were such information imparted it would be of great service to growers. The potatoes we now grow are principally Up-to-Dates, Northern star. Magnum Bonum, El Hora do, etc. These are the sorts which, so far. have proved the best resisters. but only in a degree. It ha« been stated that I p to Dates are not now a profitable potato to grow, but we are inclined to attribute this

opinion to the large quantities of potatoes sold as Up-to-Date which bear no resemblance to that variety. Last season, when seed potatoes were very scarce, many tons of potatoes were labelled Up-to-Date, but the growers were greatly disappointed in the resulting crops. The true Up to Date has a purple flower, is a strong grower, and the tubers are generally somewhat long and flat. It is a good cropper, and though it does not stand against blight as long as the Northern Star, yet it suits a greater

variety of soils. Northern Star and Magnum Bonum are perhaps the best at resisting attack:; of the blight, gion, we mention. — Gold Coin.—An American sort, which has given excellent returns, a heavy cropper, and does well on most soils. Eureka Extra Early.—Another American introduction of merit. The tubers grow- in a cluster or bunch. There are few small, nearly all being of marketable size. It is a very early round v bite potato, with rather deep eyes, cooks well, and of excellent quality. Can be planted eloser than most varieties. Royalty is an excellent kidney-shaped sort, heavy cropper, and produces potatoes of medium size. It is white fleshed, first rate quality.

The Scot, as the name indicates, hails from the Land of Cakes, where it is held in great favour. It is a beautifullyshaped round white sort, very shallow eyes, main crop; a good sort for exhibition. King Edward i? perhaps one of the most handsome coloured kidneys in commerce. It is an indispensable variety for exhibiting. The flesh is yellow, and cooks well. A heavy cropper, and very highly esteemed in England. VERONICA