Hilling potatoes, Laidley

Date1900-1920

Object numberANMS0227[030]

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin print

DimensionsOverall: 152 x 201 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert D McKilliam

Terms

DescriptionA black and white photograph of a farmer walking through potato crops. The title of the image is 'Hilling potatoes. Laidley c97'. HistoryLaidley has long regarded itself as 'Queensland's Country Garden' with vegetable production features prominently and the majority of beetroot grown in Australia coming from the Laidley district. Hilling, or piling soil up around the base of a plant, is an important part of the potato growing process and necessary to prevent the potato from being exposed to sunlight as it grows and becoming inedible. SignificanceThis image is a part of the Captain Robert McKilliam collection. Captain McKilliam worked for the Aberdeen White Star Line for 32 years and sailed aboard such famous clipper ships as SALAMIS and THERMOPYLAE. He moved to Sydney in 1913 where he served as Assistant Wharf Master on Darling Island.