POTATO GROWING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3084, 15 May 1917, Page 6

POTATO GROWING

fjir,—l- notice from day to day there is evidence of a growing interest in this very useful branch of food supply, but it is doubtful it the energies and enthusiasm of those- taking part in this business are bent in the liglit direction,' and will add but little to next year's supply if carried out as reported. Take iMiramar, for instance. It looks as if the soup is in danger' from the number of cooks already, and some good cooks, too; owing to divided opinions and suggestions, some of which are valueless. Now,' if the committee has this land for potato-raising, and one man says it will grow potatoes, by all means lut that man take the matter in hand, and he is more certain to make a success of it alone than if sevoral- had a finger in the.pie; and each will blame the other if there Js failure. Hand it over to the man that says he can produce the goods. Give him what labour is required, and get on with the next plot, but get rid of divided opinion and committee management in each case, and liave one general committee only to hny seed manures, spraying materials, etc., and success is assured. There is plenty of s-;ope around the city for all if properly directed. You cannot get maximum, results in every quarter, as some are looking for ..in 'hunting for ideal positions. As a matter of fact, there is very little of what is known as good potato land in this island, hut if this subject is going to be handled in a businesslike manner, why stop at a few plots around the towns only. Got your general committee to carry the matter to the country, and get dairy farmers and others that are in the habit of putting in a half-acre of potatoes every year for their own use to put in oiie saclc each, supplied by the general committee at cost price, of good quality seed from _ the Smith Isloiid. The cost of working would he eliminated, as the horse-power and implements would be in use for the farmer's own crop in any case, and tho produce could be Tilaced on the railway at all points with a special address, and carried free if properly arranged. In this way one thousand sacks could he planted this season, and I will vndertake to say that this sack of change of seed will be the best in the paddock, as potatoes deteriorate very quickly in this island, and the majority of yields is , not more than half what it should he, for the want of changing seed regularly. We have got Efficiency Boards that could be utilised to purchase the potatoes in the south. Now is a favourable time. This would save, merchant's commission. They could also arrange for a supply of Milestone, for spraying is an absolute necessity in growing potatoes ii) our moist'climate. ' The retail price of that article is out of all reason during the past season, compared with its landed cost, which lias prevented its use during last season : which would have been move in "videnoe hut for the dry weather holding the blight in check. If the word efficirncv is only going to be a by-word at this time iiv the world's history, when food ishortage is a reality, there is nothing more to snv. But here wfi have an opportunity that calls for action, and the sunport of all interested in the cost of living.—l nin, ete.. -T. M. O'HAGAN. "lYoodrille, May 14, WIT.