TRADE EXHIBITS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 230, 23 June 1920, Page 10

TRADE EXHIBITS

(Published by Arrangement,) "THE 'POTATO KING." ' Mr. E. H. Crabb, of Patmerston North, who is noted as one of the "potato exports" of No iv Zealand, haß a very line display at the show of the various kinds of tuners which aro suitable for all parts of the Dominion, and the great caro which ho is known to exercise and the selection and handling- of the seed make it a sine qua npn that anything bearing his label is truo to name and (as far as it is possiblo to make it) free from disease. During the year this firm handles hugs quantities of potatoes, ami nearly the whole of their seed is specially grown for them under the supervision of an expert. This guarantees not only their purity'but also their gM'ininating' qualities. Not only is this firm extra careful in their selection', but' the manner in which the need tubers are handled after reception into their stores is almost a fine art, and from the time that they como into store until they are sent out to the growers they aro nnder the direct, enra of aJi expert who has made a. lifelong Btudy trcntmont and selection. The pornlo<!3 are received into the (rradinrf store on arrival and are then put through a grading machine which iB almost human in its action, discarding all misshapen or undersized potatoes, and white on their journey through the grader nearly every potato is handled and any growths or unsoundness removed. Tho result is a fine, clean level sample. From the grading store tho potatoes are removed in clean sacks to the bulk stores, which are exceedingly commodious. Here they aro all shot out, and while remaining (hero are constaiiily turned and picked over so ihat a rc-iily good sample of seed can bo depended upon. By -this means gravers can be sure or getting seed fito from the many ills that the potato is heir to, and every farmer knows the importance of good seed. The selection of bre"ds is a wide and varied one, inclu:limr kinds suitable for Mb iight and h'-vivy soils, and Mr. Crnbb's expert is always only too willing to give his advice as to the best potato for any particular district. Amongst the r.iiieti;s in stock are Acme kidney, n.hwvy' cropper and a good garden variety; Beauty of Hebron, an old favourite,' piiik skin and deep eyes; Early Puritan, a white, shallow-eyed, early variety, widely grown; Beading Russet, one of Sutton's best varieties, largely grown in the south, where it is known us a good blight resister; • Robin Adair, tho best potato ever put on the market, delicately flavoured and strongly recommended as a first early; Sutton's 26's, an old favourite in the Manawatu as second earlv or main crop; Sutton's Supreme, one of Sutton's ■ best, a good cropper and'blight resister; Early Rose, very similar to Beauty of Hebron, a good first early; Commercial, good red varioty; Dalkota Red, one of the best croppers known; Maori Chief, a good blight resister, and one of the best main crops; and New Era, a. white flattened ovular potato, with rough skin, a hravy cropper, and nearly frost and blight proof. Special mention must be made of Aherbrothock, a ?oo<] new variety, white skinned, and a heavy cropper; Sir J. 6 Wilson, a dark blue-skinner, very heavy cropper; and Arran Chief, lately imported from Scotland, with a great reputation from the south.

MASTEBTON CEMENT COMPANY. Mr. E. H. Crabb, who is Manawatu agent for the Masterton .Cement Company, has a most interesting exhibit of this company's products, which shove to what uses this article can be put. They include drain pipes of various ■ 6izes, which can be used either for draining land, leading water, or for 'culverts. There are also troughs • of_. different; varieties, including these suitable for l ' horses, pigs, sheep and the diminutive article suitable for fowl runs. Not tho least useful of the manufactures aro the cement posts which are reinforced, the straining posts being fitted with struts and stays which make an excellent job for fencing,' while there aro smaller posts of various sizes for ordinary fences. These have the advantage of everlasting wear and save cost of renewal.

PLIX PETROL ELECTRIC POWER AND LIGHT. Amongst the most, interesting and useful novelties at the show is the • Plix elcctric plant, which should' prove an ideal machine for the use of fnrmors and their families. Not only can the house nnd out. premises be lighted bj its agency, but it will also provide heating' for electric irons, grillors, toasters, and will also produce the power for driving sawing machines, churns, shearing plants and eaw-benches, besides pumping water for the dairy. From the engine pulley this compact littlo plant will'' produce three horsepower, and this is sufficient to drive n, circular saw and the hundred and ono machines which aro needed' on a farm. Plix can be started from n button placed in any part of the house and can also lie stopped automatically by repressing a button. It is supplied with an electric governor which ensures even speed and uses only sufficient benzine for the required; load.. The lighting capacity of this compact little contrivance is 85 lamps with the battery and 55 lamps with the engine, only equal to H electrical horse-power. The plant is built"oil the same lines as a higligrado motor-car engine, with Bosch magneto, fan and radiator, and thermosyphon cooling, with finoly adjusting carburettor. It has interchangeable valves and bearings, all of which aro easily accessiblo. The engino is a ieylin'der one with 4-pole dynamo, which gives a very even light. Plix is ono of the neatest nnd most compact nlnnts yet seen, runs silently and ie practically "fool-p'roof" and is "6afo and Bure." F. A. Wollormati, of Palmeiaton North, has been appointed agent for tho Plix from Mnrton to Paekaknriki, while Tolley and Son, Ltd., are tjio Now Zeakud distributors.

HAR.R.Y PALMER AND CO., THE POPULAR AUCTIONEERS. This, the oldest established general auctioneering firm in- Palmerston North, is still bounding ahead.' The managor

(Mr. W. B. O'Callaghan) has now completed. threo years as managing auctioneer, and the records of tho general business show that the turnover has doubleil in the three years, and the sales for April and May this year were no less than four times thoso for tha sauio mouths three yeais ago. The land department is doing great business, and those desirous of either selling or buying farms or • houtes should get into touch with this progressive firm. Daring the p<ut year the.furniture factory was reopened, and a competent staff of workmen are kept busily employed turning out furniture of the best quality, mado from well-seasoned timber and in tho latest designs. Outside clearing sales are conducted in the most up-to-date way under tho manager's personal supervision, and tho succcss of past sales should be sufficient guaranteo of good service in the future. Sales in "Palmer's" Mart are a feature of the town, and although the premises are not as capacious as the business warrants, the capable staff are always right up to the mark, and have never been found wanting in courtesy or resource iu handling the tremendous crowds which gather there every Thursday and Saturday.