These notes on the growing of kumara were written by pupils of Tikitiki Maori District High School, in English and Maori, under the supervision of Mr Koro Dewes. THE GROWING OF KUMARA HE KORERO MO TE MAHI PAREKEREKE Ko nga marama mahi parekereke, whakaika ranei, ko Hune, ko Hurae a ko Akuhata hoki. Wehea tonutia ai nga mea mo te parekereke mo tetahi tau mai ka mutu ka whakatakototia ka wehengia nga kumara ahua roroa tonu kia tere ai te kapi o te whakaika. Ko nga kumara e whakaikatia ana i mua he “waina”, he “makakauri”. Ka mahi i te whakaika ki nga wahi tainanga, harapaki ranei, ki te wahi e whititia ana e te ra, ki nga wahi mahana, ki nga wahi e kore e pangia ana e te hautonga. Mo te whakaika me kari he rua, kia tahi putu te hohonu, e wha putu te whanui, a, kia wha iari te roroa. Otira, kei te tangata tonu te tikanga mo te rahi o te whakaika. I muri iho ka whakatakototia te oneone ki nga taha ka ruia a waenganui ki te kirikiri. Ko te kumara he upoko tona me te waero. Ko te upoko ki runga ko te waero ki raro. Pera katoa te whakatakoto i nga kumara a ki noa te whakaika. I muri mai, ka hoatu he kirikiri ki runga, kaua e tino nui rawa. Kia puta mai nga tipu ka tapuke ano kia matatoru, kia wha inihi pea te hohonu. Mo onei hoki ka raroa nga tipu mo te ono. Ka taha e mea wiki ka whawha ano i nga tipu kei te tangata tona hiahia. Me taringiringi ki te wai kia tere ai te hana atu o nga tipu. Mea ai he pupu manuka ara he taiapa pahaohao, hei arai i te hau kei mate nga tipu. KUMARA SEEDBED The months during which the kumara seedbed is prepared are June, July and August. These Kumara for the seedbed are those that have been kept aside from the previous year in a soil clamp. In selecting kumara, those that are long are best, so that they fill the seedbed quickly. There are two good varieties, the “waina” and “makakauri.” The site for the seedbed should be on a slope, an upraised warm place facing the east and in a spot where the southerly wind can do no harm. A pit is dug about one foot deep, four feet wide and three yards long. However, the size depends on each person's requirements. After the turf has been placed at the sides the sand is placed in the pit. The kumara tuber has a top and a tail. The top is placed facing upwards and the tail downwards until the seedbed is completely covered. On top of them is placed a thin layer of sand. When all the kumara plants begin to shoot about four inches of sand is applied if long plants are required. After so many weeks the plants may be inspected by hand. Sprinkling with water helps to hasten the growth of the shoots. Some use manuka brush fences as shelter against winds which may injure the plants.