POTATOES FOR THE LONDON MARKET.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2973, 4 August 1891, Page 4

POTATOES FOR THE LONDON MARKET.

The following letter has been kindly placed at oar dispose! by the local manager of the Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited :—

Sir,—Referring to our circular letter of 20th February last herein we subjoin the result of enquiries with regard to the market here for such produce :—l. Most suitable time for shipments to ariive— This depends upon our seasons and the quantity of good old English or Continental potatoes which are available at the commencement of the year. As long as these are plentiful the demand for new potatoes is very much restricted, especially if we have a cold late spring. It is probable that under such circumstances importations from abroad would not sell well until April or even May. On the other hand if tho stocks of old potatoes are short or bad at the commencement of tho year, tho new ones might meet a ready market as early as February or March. During April and May of the current year good new kidneys and magnum bonutn front Malta have sold at from £10 to £21 per ton, aud from the Canaries at from £14 to £21 per ton.

2, Variety and condition,—The most suitable varioies are kidneys, or potatoes of a kidney shape, such as inagum bonams, and they must arrivo here in such a condition that tber can be described as "new" potatoes, otherwise they will not sell The skins must bo well set before shipping or they will not stand the voyage.

3. Packing and shipping— It is difficult to give advice on these points an we have no expwienco here as to bow such produce will be affected by tho long voyage. We may mention, however, that the most saleable packages are boxes to contain from i to jj of cwt. having a transverse partition in tho centre, similar in make to those used for shipping apples to this market, particulars of which Auckland office can supply. The potatoes in each box should be sorted into two grades, according to size. It is the opinion of experts hero that it is not desirable to wrap tho potatoes in paper or use any other packing material than the plain boxes, and they recommend they should not be shipped in tho cool chamber*, but as ordinary cargo great care being taken however to eusure their being placed in a part of the hold where thoy are not likely to become heated. Wo trust this information will bo of service to clients contemplating experimental shipments. Yours faithfully, Henry M. Saul Manager, London, oth June, 1891.