Many Potatoes May Be Raised From Few Tubers

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1942, Page 2

Many Potatoes May Be Raised From Few Tubers

Suburban gardeners need not be unduly worried by the shortage of seed potatoes, for if they follow the plan adopted by Mr. W. Hall, Huirangi, some years ago, they can grow a large number of potatoes from a very few. This was stressed by Mr. C. H. M. Sorensen, fields supervisor, at a meeting of the North and Central Taranaki Councils of Primary Production at New Plymouth last night, when he said that from three potatoes, weighing half a pound, Mr. Hall in the one crop grew 781b of good potatoes. When the shoots of the three potatoes had become well established above the ground, Mr. Hall dug up the potatoes, broke off the shoots, and planted them. ( The potatoes were , again planted. That I was repea'ted three times, and Mr. Hall isaid that he harvested a good crop, the ! tubers being of useful size. The method I was simple, Mr. Sorensen said, and ' though it could not be used on large : areas, it should not present any difficulty I to any reasonably careful person. Mr. Sorensen was stressing that many applications had been made by farmers and householders for seeds for areas of ■ less than one acre, but the instructions to councils did not enable such persons [ to be catered for. However, when the j position become a little clearer it might I be possible to release seed. Serious atI tention should also be given to the grow- ' ing of carrots, parsnips and pumpkins, j for a plentiful supply of such vegetables l should ease the potato position next year. | It was interesting to note, said Mr. H. ! e! Blyde, chairman of the North and j Centoal Taranaki executive committee, | that the ordinary householder was prepared to grow potatoes by using the eyes Ifrom table potatoes. Mr. J. C. McDowall | exhibited shoots that showed potatoes I could be grown by using small pieces.