DISEASE IN NORTHERN POTATOES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3056, 18 April 1917, Page 10

DISEASE IN NORTHERN POTATOES

It appears, writes a correspondent, ' *that the potato industry in'the Puke•Jcohe district is menaced owing to the ~prevalence of a new iorm of disease .which has spread l rapidly during the .'past two seasons. It is said to be quite distinct from the ordinary form 'of blight, and it apparently originated in the haulm (or 6talk) of the potato, and spread down to , ite eye, \produoinff a kind of "gravy" or watery matter. '.The'whole potato in time becomes a soft mass, and with 'the disease rapidly developing after the • tuber is bagged other sound potatoes ill the bag suffer, from contact. Samples have been forwarded to the Government ', Biologist for investigation. ~.

: ;The Tumi branch of the, New Zealand! Farmers' Union has decided to forward the following remits to the Bominion Conference of that body:—(1) That the Government be requested to claßßify returned soldiers wishing to go on.the land, as to of farming they are suitable for, and.that training '/farms be established to teach men without previous farming experience. (2) That legislation be brought down which will be effective in preventing the aggregation of land by men already holding large estates. (3) That the Government -arrange for sufficient shipping to bring the necessary woolpacks.arid corn sacks .to New Zealand. (4) That all classes of land obtained for returned soldiers be acquired at pre-war valuation.