DISCOVERY OF BLIGHT-PROOF POTATO CLAIMED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 19 September 1913, Page 7

DISCOVERY OF BLIGHT-PROOF POTATO CLAIMED.

Irish blight -has done so much damage in this country that particular interest attaches to the reported discovery in Mew Zealand of a blightproof potato. According to the New Zealand Farmer, such a variety has been evolved by Mr John Harris, of Raetihi, "whose experiments have stood the most exhaustive tests for five successive years." Referring to "discovery," it is stated tlist recently an officer of the Agricultural Department inspected Mr Harris's growing crop. He has made no attempt to explain the origin of the new variety, "but the unique qualities claimed for .it have been admitted to be beyond question. Five years ago Mr Harris noticed a perfectly healthy stalk growing in the midst of a crop of Northern Stars and El Dorados, which were! all affected by 'blight. The roots of this single plant were quite clear, and were saved for experimental purposes. The subsequent progress of the New Era- (as that variety is now called, was carefully observed, and tlie results were entirely satisfactory. Each season's new crop was propathe seed of the previous crop, Srid the parent plant is now represented by eight rows, each row being several chains in length. On not a single occasion during the five years has any trace of blight been detected, although adjoining crops of other varieties have been and are at present badly affected. The crop adjoining is blight-stricken, and blackenea s ? ver ? frosty but the eight IWO of the .new variety are m"perfect. condition. The tops are tough and strong, and have maintained such a vigorous growth .that some of them can, be extended to a length of 7ft. The tubers are lemdn-coloured, and are in perfect condition, from 10 lb to 111b of tubers being taken from a single stalk. The average yield, as the -result of a careful computation is estimated to be 19 tons to the acre." The variety i s said to be also immune from frost. The matter is of first interest, but growers should not anticipate too much until official confirmation and trial is forthcoming. The Department of Agriculture here, however, should certainly take steps to investigate the matter, with a view to the introduction and propagation of the varipty should the claims made be substantiated.