BLIGHTED POTATOES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 22 April 1912, Page 8

BLIGHTED POTATOES.

DIFFICULT TO EFFECT SALES. An unusually large quantity of potatoes .affected with blight have reached the local market of late. A Wellington merchant, speaking yesterday in reference to the position as regards potatoes, stated that the market is very unsatisfactory, practically the whole of the supplies from the South Island arriving iu a bad condition, owing to the blight. Merchants, he said, are experiencing great difficulty in making sales, and really first-class tubers, free from blight, would now bring probably £6 per ton. Complaints are general as to the class of potatoes on hand, but dealers have no option but to take what is offering, or e]=e go without. The bulk of the supplies which are coming forward are stated to be almost valueless, and, it is said, inquiries prove it to bo practically impossible to get good, sound tubers. Owing to the grain harvest being so late in the South Island, and the potato-growers being busy with this work, they are only sending forward those potatoes which will not keep. Tin* object is to get rid of these before touchins the good crops.

Supplies from the Hutt have been exceptionally good during the past season, but these crops an; almost finished. Otaki supplies are also at an end. The only places where- it is likely that good potatoes may be picked up just now. said the merchant in question, are the Manawatu and Wairnrapa districts, but in these quarters the local demand appears to be ample for growers, the bulk of whom are not prepared to quote their holdings. Referring to the- south market, the South Island correspondent of the "Farmers' Union Advocate" says: —

"A good deal of controversy has taken place over the future of potatoes. It lias' been argued that they are in good supply, nnd also that they will be scarce, nnd bound to go up iu price. The latter view seems to be the correct one. At anyrate, the price is hardening all the time, and a pood many crops arc turning out very badly indeed. The Government statistics put the yield in Canterbury at about sis tons an acre, but some farmers' estimates reach as high as ten tons an acre. It must be conceded, however, that the Government figure of six tons an acre is. much nearer the mark than the higher estimate of ten tons to the acre. Blight is in evidence, but not as yet to any ruinous extent.

When an experienced factory manager declares that a certain part of the equipment is "perfect" there must be splendid features in the article. The manager of the Featherstoir Co-operative Dairy Co-, in writing about "Victor" Vats, said they were "absolutely the best and to his mind perfect." "Victor" Dairy Goods are manufactured by Albert J. Parton, C'arterlon.—Advt

Chick-rearing is not. only prolitable, but a pleasure, when you feed "A and P" Chick-Raiser. It is complete and pro-perly-blended food for Young Chicks. Obtainable from nil storekeepers.—Advt.-.