RUSH FOR SEEDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 168, 18 July 1942, Page 6

RUSH FOR SEEDS

DEMAND IN AUCKLAND

HEAVY POTATO PURCHASES

Alert for the approach of spring, Aucklanders are putting forward their best effort yet to raise vegetables and fruit in response to the needs of war, and seedsmen and nurserymen report that the demand for seeds and plants of all kinds is heavier than at any time in their experience. To give added impetus to the effort one of the best winters in memory has made it possible to continue gardening operations almost without a break.

"There has been a tremendous demand for seeds of all kinds," said a leading seedsman in the city today. "It is the heaviest I have ever known, and seems to be due to a great increase in the scope of private gardening. Purchases by the public in June were more than double in value those of last year, and as prices were only slightly higher this represented a large increase in quantity. The indications for tliis month and the next are that the turnover will continue at a high level."

One of the difficulties, he stated, was a lack of nursery stock, due lur.elv to the need of experienced labour. Large orders were booked for citrus and other fruit trees and it was likely that planting operations would be maintained on a scaie to absorb all the trees available until the arrival of spring. Purchases of seed potatoes were rcpo. '! to be overtaxing the supplies, and considerable plantings had been already made. The chief risk was that of frost, as the ground in most parts had not been sodden at any stage of the winter. If the crops escaped frost damage those who had converted lawns into wartime gardens should be well repaid for their labours.

In some cases men joining the armed forces had started gardens for their wives to carry on, said one seedsman, and there were likely to be many busy wives and children in the coming spring. The will to raise more vegetables had been greatly spurred by the high cost of living. Fortunately the stocks of seeds appeared adequate for most needs, and if seasonal conditions continued favourable the crops should be good. Not only vegetables, but flower seeds and plants were also m demand, said another seedsman. "1 am on my toes all the time," he remarked, "and it is almost impossible to cope with the rush at the busiest times."