FARMING AROUND PUKEKOHE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 337, 11 December 1917, Page 4

FARMING AROUND PUKEKOHE.

(By our Travelling Reporter) Just now farming operations consist chiefly of haymaking and potato digging, most farmers devoting all the available time to the former occupation, their wives and children assisting them as much as possible. In the immediate vicinity of Pukekohe, and especially around Pukekohe Hill, every endeavour is made to work on the "help me and I will help you" principle, and this cooperation is this year perhaps more noticeable than previously owing to the absence of so many "boyB" now serving at the front, whose help at home was always so valuable. It is not to be implied that this spirit belongs to the immediate neighbourhood under review as it is characteristic of fanners generally, accentuated no doubt by the scarcity of labour and the growing desire on the part of farmers to render what help they can to one another as occasion may require. With regard to potato crops, considering that the earlier part of the season was abnormally a wet one the 1 yields as a whole are good, though in a few cases the "watery eye" blight is observable. Around the hill "Northern Btar" and "Gamekeeper" stUI appear to be the favourite varieties and Mr Robert Bilkey, whose experience of potatoes extends over 30 years, affirms the opinion that these two varieties are undoubtedly best suited to the Pukekohe soil Afl to the average crop, as far as can at present be ascertained they work out at about seven tons to the acre. The North Island seed seems to be more in favour, though some growers think that good seed from the South gives an excellent second crop. Onions are particularly promising, having a healthy stalk with good firm body, and the recent rain so badly needed will prove beneficial. Pumpkins and marrows are looking well. Farmers, despite many other drawbacks, are to be commended for the way in which they have kept their potatoto and other crops free from weeds, and the energy displayed in this way at least shows that their desire is primarily to "farm well." Constant attention to details and the taking advantage of all available time in the paddocks have their own reward, and while this season's crop of potatoes is not likely to be regarded as abnormally high, there is an indication that throughout the district the potatoes will be clean and blightless and in most cases give a good crop Pukekohe tnis season will at least sustain its reputation for potato growing.