THE POTATO. 



123 



During 1917-18 the Union of South Africa planted 110,185 

 acres, obtaining 234,538,000 pounds, or an average of about 

 one ton per acre. The census for 1911 showed an average of 

 one and a half tons per acre. Under intelligent management 

 and in favourable localities, yields of four and a half tons (60 

 bags) are not uncommon. 



The table which follows, compiled from the 1919-20 agri- 

 cultural census returns, shows the total number of bags of 

 potatoes growing in each Province of the Union. For purposes 

 of comparison the total production in bags of the two chief 

 cereal crops is also given : — 



From the above it is evident that the potato ranks only 

 third in importance among the crops produced in the Union, 

 and it is likely to remain so, as our present market for this 

 crop is confined to the local trade, which is limited. 



Below is given the two highest producing districts in each 

 Province and the quantity produced by each of them : — 



The bulk of this production is obtained without irrigation. 

 The crop is well suited to those areas of high altitude in the 

 regions of summer rainfall. 



There is no doubt that large areas of suitable land for the 

 cultivation of potatoes are still available in the Transvaal and 

 Orange Free State. In these Provinces the production is 

 rapidly increasing. 



