POTATO SHOWS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 225, 11 June 1918, Page 8

POTATO SHOWS

, AUSTRALIAN EXPEEIEKCES. • It is only abetter of some four or five years since the first show specially devoted to potatoes was held m-. Victoria. Th'o Kbnisey and West llourke Agricultural Society were the promoters. Since then the Beech Forest and Portland Societies have taken up the "busi- " ness, and the value of these exhibitions has so quickly appreciated that permanent fixtures have been established in ■'-• each of these districts. These shows L are patronised principally by men who are on.the alert to improve their stocks and methods whenever they find fhat others are holding better stocks and practising better systems of cultivation. Prime, trne-to-type samples of all varie- / ties, have always a. value much higher than the ruling market rate for potatoes for consumption. No bettor evidenco can be given'or wanted of the fact that a grower has seed of particular merit than the fact of his gaining the distinction of first place in open competition. Successful competitors at these shows haTe very quickly realised that their success has a cash' value to them far beyond the intrinsic worth of the trophy 'or prize won. In many ca*es ; their-success at. the 1 show :!has "quickly been'., followed by. a demand • for their : :,'P3x>oucefor seed; be,en disposed of to the'benefit'of th£" exhibitor in the remunerative" price obtained: and to the purchasov. by .'reason'of his seen r- J iug Iseed. of improved; quality. -••;,. j