FROM THE ARCHIVES:The state of the potato harvest in Co Mayo in 1897 was described in this report, complete with an attempt to reproduce phonetically the local accent. – JOE JOYCE
IN CLAREMORRIS, where one of the instructors of the Congested Districts Board is stationed, there is a variety of soils, and a consequent variety in the state of the the potato crop. In the wet clayey or peaty soils they are very poor, averaging, perhaps, from three to four tons per statute acre, and about one half to one third being uneatable. In some of the higher more sandy loams there are good fair crops of well skinned firm potatoes, which are dry and floury on the table. In the next parish of Kiltimagh there is not so much sign of disease as in Claremorris.
The soil is of a less clayey nature than in some parts of the latter, and this character of land shows generally the worst aspects of the attack.
But like the other there is a comparatively light crop of small tubers, plentiful in number, but showing little in bulk, and in many cases under 3 tons per acre.
They are sound as a rule, and well skinned, and generally said to be eatable enough. In both these parishes spraying has been generally adopted. But it has seldom been done more than once, and that-when not performed by the Board’s instructor-carelessly.
The result is that it did not preserve the tops from the attack, and hence the shortage is caused by the arrest of growth at an early stage.
In the southern districts and part of the north of Swinford where the peaty soils are, the aspect is more gloomy, and in many cases the potatoes a complete failure. Less than two tons an acre would be the gauge of a good many of the wet, peaty patches, and these only fit for pigs.
The tubers are about the size of plums, and would nearly all pass through a riddle of an inch mesh in the worst cases, while they are wet and soapy and unfit for food. What was reputed to be the best crop in the southern part of the parish was about a mile from town.
It was owned by a shrewd, intelligent farmer, who appeared much above the average of these small holders, and he took no small pride in showing the results of his labours in superior potatoes and a fine crop of mangolds. He at first objected to spraying, but had been induced to try it as an experiment.
The field was sprayed three times, and as he remarked, “My praties wis growin’ whin my neebors wor blighted, and I think, had they been done better, there would be no disaze at all.” The crop looked a fine one, but upon examination showed nearly one-third of the tubers diseased or tainted.
Notwithstanding that, from the sound eatable potatoes gathered there would would have been a result of nearly five tons per statute acre.
Turf is generally well saved, and this is no small matter, meaning as it does warmth through the winter to a people often poorly clothed.
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