IMPORTED POTATOES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 132, 14 January 1916, Page 3

IMPORTED POTATOES.

A New Variety. Some two years ago Mr Ben Johnson, cl Takanini, was in England on a holiday, and beiog an enthusiastic potato grower visited many ot the principle raisers of the Old Country. In the course of his peregrinations hs vistied tte farm of Mr James Richardson, at Leake, Lincolnshire, Bnd as matters have turned out it was good for him that he did so. On that occasion he was shown a new variety of potato called tha "Vitality," for which it was claimed that it was a strung blight icsi-ter and an extraordinary heavy croppc*. The species bo imprefsdd Mr Johnson that he went to the trouble of bringing live hundredweight of seed back to New Zealand with him, and he is, on th> results, jubilant that te did eo. He planted the

five hundredweight, less a little waste—the potatoes were eight weeks on the ship—and this week a "limeß" repoiter had an opportunity of inspecting this crop ot five acres from (he seed. To test for himself tie value of the "Vitality" potato Mr Johnson purchased some seed of what he coi.3idered was the best variety in New Zealand-"Gamekeeper"—and planted them in patches alongside the "Vitality." The difference today is markedly apparent, both in a paddock which might be termed a "garden paddock" near the house and a field crop. The new variety, besides looking much more healthy,

gnows a uniformity in tops lacking in the "Gamekeeper," and below is decidedly super ir as regards size and appearance. The potatoes had exactly the same treatment, and therefore the crop as it is now, although hardly ripe, is a decided monument to its oiiginator. Four roots, dug iu the presence of the

reporter, and taken in rot-ition from the first root in a row selected at random weighed 1311b, and Mr Johnson expects that bis be quite 50 tons, or ten tons to 1 the acre. He has been growing potatoes for the past twenty years, 1 and when asked, unhesitatingly said that the "Vitality" was the 1 best blight resisting variety that he ] had grown. A list of recent prizes ] won by the variety was shown the writer, and on tins the claim that 1

it is England's champion seems to be faitly substantial. In a letter the originator of the "Vitality" says that he has recently exported seed to Colerado, Chili, Tasmania and also to the order of the High Commissioner of New Zealand. He further states that it is a main cropper and has always been free from disease. Any specially interested potato

grower will receive a warm welcome should he care to visit Mr Johnson's farm, which adjoins the Takanini station, and it will net be too much trouble for him to show the "Vitality" as it is grown in New Zealand for the iirst time. Certainly it is worthy of inspection and

cannot fail to draw Jtorth favourable comment.

The tollowiDg new sab-enbers have been connected to the Pukekohe Telephone Exchange, viz. :-No. 4'J L) K Hamilton; No. 49, S Harper; .

No. 20, J Henry Webb; No. 20, James Wylie; No. 20, Edwin Harris; No. ill, Alan 1' Uav., private residence; and No. 46, Uev J I' J

Cowie. Patterns of all the designs of lashions, etc , appearing in our supplement, week by week, can be obtained

by sending stamps, value 7d, for every pattern required (coat, skirt, blouse, one-piece gown, etc; to MissIda Heller, Care of the Editor. The envelope should be marked "Pat-

terns." Rubber Stamps ot all description

may be ordered at the Office of the "Pukekohe Times." Call and select from our illustrated catalogue.