POTATO GROWING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3080, 10 May 1917, Page 6

POTATO GROWING

MIRAMAR LANDS TESTED SHOULD YIELD GOOD CROPS Yesterday, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) secured the co-operation for the afternoon of Messrs. Thos. Waugh, F. Westbury, W. Balls, and J. A. Tilbury, of the Hutt Valley, skilled men in the characteristics of soils and what to grow in. them, and made a tour of inspection out Miramar way for the purpose of ascertaining whether certain lands in that borough now lying fallow were suitable for potato-growing. Though at present there is no marked shortage of foodstuffs in New Zealand, the prices are high all round, and anything that is grown by the energy of people engaged in other occupations must have a good effect. The movement now 'is to grow potatoes on waste lands, so that, the public buying these products may release exportable foodstuffs which may be wanted.in England or elsewhere. Miramar Park. • The first place visited was Miramar Park, the old racecourse, a fine area of- about twenty acres of flat land in Miramat north, adjacent to the "Wonderland" site and the terminus of the Miramar trams. Wli&i the spade did its work, it was found that there was about five or six inches of light peaty loam, with fine sand beneath. In one or two places the land was not. good for potatoes. The Park was tested in half a dozen placee, and it was reported that with a dolible-ploughW potatoes planted iu September would yield a good crop, probably from 10 to 12 tons to the acre. * The land might even produce a second cron, but thereafter it would need to be "fortified with artificial manure to do any practical good. Such land might be worth £6 to. £7 an acre per annum.

At the Polo Grounds. The old polo grounds, at the corner 'of the Avenue and Alexandra Street (mid-Miramar) were next tested. One of the experts said tlißt in planting potatoes there the chance would have to he taken of the soil Mowing away in the dry months, and leaving the tubers hare. Still, a first crop might be possible. Good Black Soil. One of the old football grounds at tli'e 'junction of the Seatoun and Miramav Roads yielded the best results. Rich likck loam to a depth of from 12 to 18 inches, with a sandy bottom promised to yield excellent results if treated in a proper manner. In this paddock there nre hummocks of pure sand, but the flat land is rich, and suited to rlie growth of the necessary potato.

All the experts emphasised tlip need nf proper drainage. AmiPro potatoes are grown no water should be allowed to lie. Where it lies the potatoes will rot. Tor that reason, though there is a deep ditch round Mirnmar Park, it misht lie necessary to dig a central drain north nnd -mith across the ground, to obviate the risk of water lying in low places. Town Belt at Meln Street. En route to town fho nnrty visited that part of the Town Belt at the liead of Mein Street, wliinh was planted in jKitatoes Oio scholars of the Nowtown School in 1!) 10, and wliere is now being formed ;-n part of the aren a croquet lawn, for the use of residents in that locality. The pica, wliich slopes awa v from Hie sun, was at_ once condemned as unsuitable for thn best practical results. There were ahV.it four inches of hnrd soil on .1 rotten rock bottom—a bottom which Mr AVnst-lmry described as cold ami uncharitable. The nron wns 100 small for the. expense, of nlmighine. but might he suited to residents in'TTin vienn'tw wh.j wpie prepared to do a bit oT srnde work. The conditions, γ-oii-prallv, however. w«re against the I'ost ron-lts being obtained. Tt was stat"d that if nnythina wore to he done with, f.hc AfirMi'nr lands they should he given their first nlmishine :it Tli'- nresent <Mtie. ■ Tlio ninH-Pi- will !in n- n ,, r ; n to (Vith the renort of the pywrls) at a meeting tii be lield this evening.