POTATO PROSPECTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1748, 13 May 1913, Page 8

POTATO PROSPECTS.

GROWERS ADVISED TO HOLD. Some few weeks ago tho opinion was expressed in this column by a local mer-. chant that potato prices would again bt> high before the present season is tnrough. In other quarters, however, 'the opposite opinion has been held, and at this juncture the annual review of tho potato position by Mr. H. E. M'Gowan, ol Wiltowbridgc, South Canterbury, is of particular interest. Although iir. M'Gowan has not had the opportunity of visiting the North Islaud this season, he has had correspondence with all quarters of tho Dominion, where tubers arc grown at alt extensively, and considers himself in a positiou to give a fairly, correct forecast. "The crops in the North Island have been better than usual," said Mr. M'Gowan to a southern reporter, "especially in the Waikato district, whilst tlioso in the Masterton district, though fairly heavy, hive suffered considerably from blight, and those in the Hawke's Bay district from the ssvero drought. Thcro are now very few North Island potatoes on the market, stocks being about depleted, ami supplies will now have to be drawn from tne South Island. "The Otago and Southland districts suffered severely through floods early in the season, and again recently, and tho potato crops „aro therefore on nil average very poor. Those ill the Orcpuki and To Tun districts are probably about the best, whilst thora of some of the other districts are cither- hardly worth digging or ere totally destroyed. In the Oainaru district the crops are only fair. The crops in this famed potato-growiug district usually yield from ten to fifteen tons per acre, ■ but this year the average will bo about from four to six tons per acre. In Sowih. "Canterbury this season the crops are, on a whole, very poor." On account of the early rains and Hoods, planting wnfe'much delayed, and the ground could not j)e prepared properly, and the cold summer was much against the growth of the plants. The January frost, too, finally finished things, and some of the crops will scarcely return the seed planted, whilst others will yield up to about ten tin* per acre. The Willowbridge district has some 700 acres under crop, which in an ordinary ytfar should give an averago ,ot .ten tons per acre, but this season tho average will be about five tons per acre. There arc somo fair wops ii the Temuka district, but they are not up to their' uscal average. "In North Canterbury, ' again, crops have suffered considerably through the floods, and the average will be pulled down to aUout'one-hall the usual output. "Taking-these facts into consideration," said Jlr.' M'Gowan, "i. think that the future prospects of tho potato market are probably better than they lmve been for many years. Australia will' require a large quantity again this season; in fact, consignments have already gone forward, and, m the face of this, I consider that prices must go up considerably iu tho lraau future. - i would not be surprised to see XlO per ton reached in August or September, and probably a potato famine at tho end of tho season if many aro allowed to leave the Dominion for Australia. I would advise all growers who have good sound potatoes 'to hold on tight as long as they can, for good prices are sure."