1904.] Potatoes for Natal. 151 



there is in root development in the early stages, the more gross 

 will be the vegetation and the greater the risk of coarse grain. 

 The very wide planted barleys in this experiment were coarse 

 and nitrogenous compared with those planted closely. Close 

 planting can easily be carried too far, and no doubt long- 

 experience has taught growers approximately the best condi- 

 tions in this respect for different soils, but it is certain that one 

 very common cause of uneven samples of barley is uneven 

 plant growth on closely contiguous areas of the same field. 

 Birds, wire-worms, and other enemies destroy many young- 

 plants, and the consequence is that the remainder are unevenly 

 distributed, and some have much more soil space than others. 



In a recent Report to the Board of Trade by Mr. A. Marsden,. 



Chief of Customs in the East Africa Protectorate, it is stated 



that the potatoes imported into Durban 



Potatoes are derived from Australia, Las Palmas 

 for Natal. , ■ _ . ^ 



and the Continent. The Continental supply 



is received from June to December, and fetch from £9 4s- 



to ,£11 18s. per ton. They are preferred packed in cases of 



75 lb. each, made of half-inch board, three-quarters of an inch 



apart. The case measures about 2 ft. 5 in. long, 1 ft. 3^ in. broad, 



and a little over 7 in, deep. The sides are made of two boards, 



the top and bottom of three ; a light iron band is nailed round 



each end of the case. 



The demand for seed potatoes commences in the beginning of 

 August, and continues until the middle of February. The size of 

 a seed potato should not be larger than a medium hen's egg, 

 and as far as possible of an even grade throughout the case. 

 Great care should be exercised in seeing that all tubers/ either 

 seed or otherwise, are matured and fit to travel, thereby insuring 

 good delivery. The " kidney " variety is preferred to the round 

 variety, and a potato which will hold together after being cut, 

 owing to the amount of starch in it, is most suitable. Extreme 

 size in a potato does not necessarily imply good quality. As a 

 rule a medium size kidney potato is preferred. 



Exporters should be careful to send two invoices with each 



