THE POTATO CROP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1387, 13 March 1912, Page 8

THE POTATO CROP.

CONDITIONS AND TEOSPECTS. BRIGHT OUTLOOK FOR THE FARMER. An interesting review of the 1912 potato crop is supplied by Mr. H. E. M'Gowan, of Willowbriilge, South Canterbury, a well-known authority on the tuber. Mr. M'Gowan has just completed a trip over practically the whole of the Dominion, his object being to seo what tlio crops vero like. "In the Auckland district," says Mr. M'Gowan, "the crops are belter than they have been for years (especially in tho Waikato and Pukekolie districts), and Wight docs not appear to have done much damage, the quality of the tubers being sound and good. About 20,000 sacks are still held by growers, but these are gradually coining on to the markets, north and south, so that bv tho time the southern potatoes are ready, I would say that the northern stocks will be depleted. "Ilnwke's Bay district has been suffering from a severe drought. The potato crops have siill'ereil considerably, and they will be much lighter than usual, though tho quality s'-ould be good. "In Wellington district I noticed some very fair crops, and tho rainfall has been sufficient. There are indications of late blight, and the tiroa docs not appear very great. In Taranaki district some of the crops appear to be very good, though there is even- evidence of blight, and with tho usual Taranaki rainfall and moist weather I anticipate a. lot of damage will bo done . tojhe potatoes. Damage by Blight and Floods. In North Canterbury there is a largo area under crop, but much damage has been done by the Christmas floods—in fact all the best potatoes, that is those growing in the low-lying countries, are gone, and those which are left have suffered with the heavy rains because the ground remained so long wet and tho usual work of weeding, hoeing, and moulding was thereby retarded. Frosts in November and December played havoc with a great many crops, ana 1 anticipate only about half the yield which was given in the Government statistics. This also applies to South Canterbury. In travelling lrom Oamaru to Timarii one can seo whole paddocks of pototaes which havo been destroyed by the December-January Hoods, and tho blight appears to be making great headway in the crops which have not been systematically sprayed. "In the Quiuiiru district tho crops are fair, but with tho appearance of blight tho growers are getting anxious, and are, in many cases, digging them and putting them oil the Dunedin market. _ "In Southland there was every indication of good crops until two months ago, but with continual rains and a blizzard and frost a fortnight ago, the prospects aro now anything but promising., Iho yield is sure to be small. Wight is pre""lu'summing up, I consider that the crop-; of Canterbury and Otago will only yield about half, and Southland about one-third, of what was expected when the Government statistics were taken. Potatoes in Australia are very scarce now, so one can imagine what a demand there will bo in Australian markets in the course of a month or so. Growers Advised to Hold. "I liavo made a careful observation of tho abovo facts, and my statements are not made at random. I feel justified in advising growers who aro lucky enough to have good, sound tubers to store them carefully, for 1 believo before the end of tho present season wo will have good prices. Growers who have blignt-alTected I tubers should sell right oft' tho fork or ! machine, for ft will not pay to store bliuhted tubers.