KUMERA GROWING.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 February 1917, Page 3

KUMERA GROWING.

Kumeras do best in a sandy soil or one not too heavily charged with vegetable matter. If stable manure is used it is better applied to some previous crop. Cultivate the land well and ridge up about 30in apart. Ridges should be from 4in to 6in high. Plant from 18in to 24in apart, making a small hollow around each plant for moisture purposes. Lime has a beneficial effect on a kumera crop, so also have artificial manures. The following mixture of fertilisers is recommended: Sulphate of ammonia, 1001b ; blood and bone, 2001b; superphosphate, 5001b; sulphate of potash, 2001b. Apply and work in well about a week or ten days before planting, at the rate of scwt and upward per acre. The old Maori method of keeping kumeras in pits gives the best results. A pit of sufficient capacity is made in the ground in as dry a situation as possible. When ready, the pit is roofed or thatched to keep out the weather. The tubers should be thoroughly dried before storing, and prevented from coming in contact with the floor and sides of the pit by using layers of dry fern or straw. The pit should be opened every fine day until the sweating period is past; this lasts about a month. Even afterwards an occasional ventilation is advantageous. Kumeras for propagation can be kept in the same manner.