A NEW POTATO.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 430, 13 January 1912, Page 3

A NEW POTATO.

As the result of an experiment, a Kaikoura settler has been able to produce a potato which gives promise of being impervious to disease. Two distinct kinds of tubers were crossed —a Maori and [a well-known English —and the is somewhat peculiar, being in some tubers'round (the shape of the Maori), and in others oblong, similar to the English variety. The colour of both, however, appears in the hybrid; it is white, with pink or red spots. It is ten years ago since the cross was affected., and since then the new potato has been subjected to the severest tests without injury yet. In one instance several sets were placed in a box, and covered by Up-to-date tubers in the worst stages of blight, yet the new kind escaped. They have also been planted side by side with blighted sets of other species, but were not injured, even in the haulms. This year they are planted with blighted Up-to-pate tubers scattered among them here and therebut so far they seem all right. They are in full bloom, and growing vigorously, so the result will be awaited with interest. A few years ago some of the seed was tried at Blenheim and some at Dublin (Ireland), and was all right, though crops alongside wera completely swept off by blight. The Government has had the potatoes examined on five different occasions by inspectors and is now negotiating fc j,the present crop—or what of it the settler will sell—in order that trials may be made next season in other parts of the Dominion.