Potato Growing Preparations Are Well Under Way

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1942, Page 4

Potato Growing Preparations Are Well Under Way

Arrangements are now well in train for the growing of North and Central Taranaki's quota of the cxtra potatoes required, the response from farmers having been spiendid, according to a statement at a meeting of the North and Central Taranaki Councils of Primary Production at New Plymouth last night. The work of preparing for the planting of the potatoes will be begun by the combined executive as soon as dennite advice Ls rUccived from h^adquarters at Wellington about the area required. The 200 acres of suitable land for potato growing asked for had been selected said Mr. C. H. M. Sorensen, field supervisor. The areas ranged from Rahotu to Pukearuhe. Mr. Sorensen made it clear that all areas offered would be inspected. During the survey he had been in eontact with 21 distnct production committees, whose assistanee had enabled good progress to be made. A total of 72 acres, varymg in area from one acre to 25 acres, would be looked after by the farmers themselves, Mr. Sorensen said. This included two acres at the Hillsborough school, one acre at Okato school, and 25 acres as a Motunui and Tikorangi community effort, the primary production council having to do some of the machine work in the latter case. Eighteen areas ranging from two acres to 20 acres, aggregating 144 acres, had been offered on which the production council would do the work. These included five acres of the Rahotu domain and six acres of the Pungarehu domain. Twenty-two farmers offered areas ranging from one acre to two areas of 100 acres at Norfolk Road and Inglewood. Machinery and Plant. Arrangemeqts were well in hand for the necessary machinery and plant, Messrs. P. Telford, K. A. Andrews, P. Brophy, A. J. Dodunski. Wooffinden and others having promised help, Mr. Sorensen said. Regarding labpur, he said he had been in touch with Major G. Whitham, area staff officer, who had promised to consult his area commander with the object of co-operation. Soldiers had their own plots to attend to, while the concentrated training syllabus made it difficult to form an opinlon about what personnel might be available. Mr. A. L. Moore, acting principal of the New Plymouth Boys' High School, had also promised to place the position before the board. The last term was regarded as the most important, but. as the help of the boys would be required early in the term, Mr. Moore felt the full support of the board would be given. Manure and spray had been arranged for. said Mr. Sorensen, in recommending early delivery of the potatoes to farmers, who were eager to begin planting. Primary schools are also co-operating wholcheartedly, and Mr. J. W. Connell, senior agricultural instructor, has circularised the schools on the question of Boys and Girls' Agricultural Club cooperatlon by growing potatoes in the school ground. It was also stated last night that schools in Central Taranaki were prepared to co-operate. Mr. J. C. Robins said the Rawhitiroa W.D.F.U. was prepared to undertake the growing of potatoes on an acre of ground and on a tennis court. There had 'been some criticism over the proposal to grow potatoes in Taranaki, it being held that they should be grown in districts more suited to them, said the chairman. Mr. H. E. Blyde. He poittted out that extra areas of potatoes were being grown in those districts, which were also being asked to grow additional areas of grain, for which they were also adapted. In connection with a drive for eggs, Mr. Blyde made it clear that immediate arrangements were being made to nrovide a depot at New Plymouth, where egg producers could dispose of all the eggs that could be nroduced. Messrs. F. L. Frost. M.P., L. J. Rundle, J. McNeill, H. E. Blyde, A. J. Davey, C. H. M-. Sorensen were appointed a sub-committee to go into the question.