DIG FOR VICTORY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 115, 10 February 1944, Page 6

DIG FOR VICTORY

Wellington Exhibition Opened DISPLAY INSPECTED by, CROWDS Though the Dig for Victory Exhibition in the Wellington Town Ha l nas not opened officially till 3 o cloc' je-s--terday afternoon, the doors eie thrown open to the public half an hour beforehand, and by 2.45 hall was comfortably full. The formal open » -was brief and the public were able to examine in detail those aspects of the exhibition which took their fancy. There was a large attendance both duiing the afternoon and at night. The exhibition was designed on a sequence system. Visitors followed a route which conducted them in logical stages from the soil and its fertilize! 1 to the finished products. There were numerous exhibits dealing with tiie early stages of digging for victory, as well as .with the various pests that sabotage those efforts. One learned at an early stage that in spite of the drought and other adverse conditions lettuce growing at least has gone ahead. At/ one stall a notice proclaimed that if the lettuces grown by Wellingtonians were placed side by side they, would reach from Auckland to the Bluff. There were other statistical facts about the importance of vegetable growing. Tor instance, New Zealand provided the armed forces with no less than 11,000 tons of vegetables in 1043 from 2000 acres. The acreage has now been increased to 5000 and it is hoped ultimately to produce no less than 40,000 tons of vegetables in a season. Proof of the zest which; the dig for victory campaign has produced was to be had from the armed forces themselves. The air force stand, for example, contained everything one could want'in the vegetable line. Many-of the products were outsizes. Members of the home gardening group, W.W.S.A., also contributed their quota from the Wellington district. The harvest garnered from nine plots contained all the normal vegetables it is possible to grow, including two pumpkins which challenged even the outsize pumpkin in the weight estimating competition. A staff of 50 from this group of the W.W.S.A. are on duty at tiie exhibition. The group contains a total of 200 who dig for victory after.working hours. They obtained first prize for a collection of vegetables grown by women, and an "order of merit” for their meritorious stan'd display. The weight-estimating stall attained instant popularity. Scarcely had the doors opened' before a crowd was lined np waiting to pay their threepences and sixpences to enter the competitions. The first prize is a half-length plate glass mirror. Second prize is a sturdy looking wheelbarrow. One intriguing competition asks the competitor to guess the total length of a plate of runner beans. Schoo] children made direct to the exhibits supplied by the various local schools. An array of vegetables of all kinds gave proof that the schools did not, lag behind in the efforts to produce vege- . tables for victory. Peas, beans, onions, tomatoes and lettuces were there in abundance. . ‘ ■' .• Food and Health. The Department of Health provided some thoughtful facts on its stand regarding proper food. There were laid out .various lunches with explanations what was satisfactory and what provided a poor lunch. Visitors might well visit this stall. Many mothers stopped beside it. There was in addition a display of what constituted a good school lunch, a problem that daily concerns most, families. Pamphlets and facts on the subject were distributed.

There was a profusion of pamphlets at the exhibition calculated to assist in all phases of gardening. It was noted that such pamphlets as ‘‘Harvesting and Storage of Vegetable;?,” and “The Home Garden,” were very popular with visitors.

Another popular display represented in an easily understood form the relative lvalues in vitamin content -of various fruits and vegetables compared with an orange. It came ns a surprise to many to discover, that limejuice came bottom. A quarter cup of black currants came ' ten. well above the orange.. Several battalions of the army of jiests, from small boys to microscopic insects, which the amateur gardener has to contend with in his home front offensive. provided one of, the features'of the exhibition. The exhibit of pests was staged by Massey Agricultural College. Alongside a demonstration of how plants absorb wafer, and the amount they require, arrangedTiy the well-known agricultural botanist. Dr. J. S. Yeates, of (Massey College, were vivid drawings of (insect pests keeping themselves above The bread line among turnips, green vegetables, fruit and lawn grasses. A host I-of life-size mounted specimens gave the impression of a museum; while microscopes magnified a diversity of troublesome midgets. The operation of a plant taking in water is shown, and the amount of water is weighed as it is absorbed, foot of pasture grass contains roots which, if placed end to end, would reach about 50 miles. This statement is printed among the display of plants and their enormous thirsts. An adequate space in the exhibition was reserved for flowers and this attracted a very large number of visitors. iThere were magnificent specimens of rgladioli, dahlias, hydrangeas, begonias and 'pansies. The stage was decked in a profusion of these flowers forming a colour ■scheme incapable of improvement. Ar,ranged in the gallery were numerous ex-_ iliibits of flowers and vegetables. Cards .bearing the eagerly sought recognition of imerit were to be seen on all the stands ■set aside for competitive purposes. There :was a profusion of vegetables ehtered of ta very high standard, so high, indeed, .that one wondered how the judges con--trived to decide the winner. , . Thei exhibition will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and to■rnorrow.

A complete list, of prize winners is as follows:— VEGETABLES. Open Section.—W. JI. Chambers, 2 firsts; <T. J. Whitehead, 1 second; G. W. Holmes, 1 second; Amateurs.—Cooper challenge trophy: Miss JI. y r Battersby. Special class: JI. N. Battersby, 1: J. Abernethy, 2. Women's ■group only: W.)V.S.A. Land Army, 1; Bellmont Women's Institute, 2. Any amateur: ;E. A. Wallace, 1; A. E. Webley, 2. Novice ■classes. women only: Mrs. Hawthorne, .1 (first; C. JI. Hume, 1 first; A. M. Presence, •St second; Jlrs. Hawthorne, 1 second. Amateur Classes.—,T. Ahernetbv, 3 firsts; E. O. Kimberley, 2 firsts; K. E. Luke, 1 (first; W. P. Pringle, 2 firsts; J. Wilson, 1 (.first: E. L. Be Berry, 1 first: JI. JlacjPonald, 2 firsts; B. E. Orchiston, 1 first; !A. J. Jlanton, 1 first; W. Smith, 1 first; ,;T>. P. O’Conner, 1 first; J. Cable, 1 first; ;S. C. Higgins, 2 firsts; J. P. Smith. 1 first; ■W. F. Newcombe, 1 first; J. G. Smith 1 (first; A. McMillan, 1 first; J. J. Whitehead, 12 firsts; M. N. Battersby, 2 firsts: G L. ; Johnston, 1 first; A. Crawford, 1 first- A. E. JVebley, 1 first; Otakl School, 1 first; A. B. Jlcllvride, 2 seconds; Otaki School, 4 seconds; JI. N. Battersby, 2 seconds; It. Waters. 1 second; J. Abernethy, 4 seconds; J. Lonsdale, 1 second; L. E. Hastedt, 1 second; A. J. Jlanton, 1 second; A. Bait, 1 second; T. F. Varley, 1 second; JI. JfacDonald, 2 seconds; J. J. 'Whitehead, 4 seconds; W. F. Newcombe, 2 seconds; D. E. Jlaxwell, 1 second; J. Gorrie, 1 second; •J. S. Vickers, 1 second: S. C. Woodbury, 1 second; R. O. Kimberley, 1 second; M. J. Couper, 1 second. Children’s Section.—Otaki School, 1; Levin_ School, 2. Primary school pupils: P. Tait, 1; D. Jforgan, 2. Poster design: T. Kinvig, 1; p. Read, 2. D. F. De Stefans, 1 first: M. Stevens, 1 first; JI. Tait, 1 first; .T. Port, 1 first; JI. Curtis. 1 first; D. Walpole, 1 first; ,T. Read, 1 first; M. Gore, 1 first; G. Powell, 1 first. FLOWERS. Gladiolus.—Trophy: A. J. Jackson. Open to all, championship bloom: A. J. Jackson. Open champion bloom:. A. J. Jackson. Classes: A. J. Jackson’ 12 firsts, 10 seconds; A. W. Ralt, 1 first; V. Maplesden, 1 second. Amateur champion: V. Jlaplesden. Classes: V. Jlaplesden, 2 firsts: W. E. Askwith, 1 first; N. Brazen dale, 1 first; JI. JfacDonald, 1 second; W; J. Crocker. 1 second; E. JI. Paterson, 1 second. Novice classes: J. Hamilton, 2 firsts: D. Stafford, 1 first; R. S. .Purvis, 1 second. School children: Champion, A. , Thompson. Classes: Greta Banks. 1 first;' A. Thom]>J. first* Dawn. - CoUereJl,_ J. first

Gray, 1 second; B. Nelson, 1 second; B. Quin, 1 second. Dahlias.—Champion bloom: T. R. Bojes. Open section classes: T. R. Boyes, 3 nrets, ,T. Whitehead, 1 first; D. Taylor, 2 seconds. Amateurs: Champion bloom, Mrs. Sages. Classes: T. R. Boyes. 2 firsts; I. M. Plimmer, 1 first; A. J- Manton, 3 firsts; A. Dean, 2 firsts; J. Abernethy, 1 first; A. Dean, 3 seconds; M. MacDonald, 2 seconds; J. S. Mekers, 1 second: A. Crawford, 2 seconds; A. .1. Manton, 1 second. Carnations.—No award. Sweet Peas. —Open classes: If. Hartley, 1 first. Amateurs: 11. Hartley. 2 firsts. Begonias.—Open classes: D. E. Maxwell. 1 first; It. 91. Jilinston, 3 firsts; D. B. Maxwell, 3 seconds. Amateurs: D. L. Maxwell, 3 firsts. 2 seconds. Pansies and Violas.—Amateur classes: G. C. Clarke. 2 firsts: J., S. „»Tckers 2 firsts; G. C. Clarke, 2 seconds; 11. Hartley, 2 seconds. , , ~ Cut Flowers.—Open classes: .1. Abernethy, 2 firsts; R. H. Johnston, 1 second; J. Hamilton. 1 second. Fuchsias. —Amateur class: \M M. Smith, 1; J. De ißlols. 2. Marigolds. —J. Abernethy. 1; J. JWhitehead, 2, Zinnias—D. W. Duthle, 1; K. E. Luke. 2. Hydrangeas.—Open section: Champion bloom, T. E. Wilkinson. Trophy, T. E. Wilkinson. Classes: T. 15. Wilkinson, 2 firsts: H. L. Janes, 1 first; F. C. Reuouf, 1 first; M. Good, 2 firsts; E. M. Henderson, 1 first: T. E. Wilkinson, 3 seconds; M Good. 1 second; F. C. Renouf, 1 second, S. H. D. Perryman, 1 second; M. Urquhart. 1 second. , , „ u. Decorative. —Amateur classes: A. Harris, 4 firsts; R. R. Martin, 2 firsts: D. Stafford. 1 first; T. A. Hunter, 1 first: Mrs. L. Hunt, 1 first; Mrs. Sages, 2.firsts: Mrs. Manton. 1 first; R. H. Johnston, 1 first; R. H. Johnston. 2 seconds; E. M. Henderson, 3 seconds: B. A. Broadhead, 1 second; H. Martin, 1 second; A. J. Manton, 1 second: A. Harris, 1 second; P. Hutcheson. 2 seconds; A. M. Mawhinney, 3 Class.—M. Stevens. 2 firsts; M Hodge. 1 first; B. Thomas, 1 first; M. Jackson. 1 first; J. Cryer, 1 second: L. Leslie, 1 second; E. Plimmer, 1 second: M. Stevens, 1 second.

(Published by Arrangement). ' NEW ZEALAND SEEDS One of the most interesting displays in the “Dig for Victory” exhibition at the Town'Hall is that of F. Cooper Ltd s well' arranged containers of New Zealand grown seeds of many types and varieties. Thoughtful people viewing the many kinds of well grown vegetables.m the show itself would wonder that New Zealand was able to produce, under war conditions, so many seeds previously imported. , , . .. There, is a romance attached to _ the seed-growing industry, which would hold the attention of anyone. Years before the war Coopers had experimented in. selecting and growing vegetable seeds of all types and in different localities. This foresight' enabled them to build up very important data that were available fo be used immediately war was declared. Ine speeding up of production in this country is something that is not generally realized and appreciated by the average user of seeds. - New Zealand hag not been short in vegetable seeds and has been able at short notice to supply seeds for the production of the very large quantities of vegetables required for the Armed Forces within New Zealand and in the Solomons, as well as seeds for the huge canning and dehydrating projects. In addition Coopers have supplied large quantities of vegetable seeds to Australia, where producers were not so happily situated as in New Zealand. Furthermore very large quantities of seed have been sent to Great Britain. This has enabled gardeners to make the fullest use of vegetables in replacement of other articles of food, which our kinsmen 'had in short 'supply or had to do without altogether. Foresight in the gathering of data, practical' knowledge in applying ' these data to step-up production, modern methods of seed cleaning and conditioning, in a seed warehouse well equipped aiid comparing favourable with the most modern of its type iii U.S.A, and in any other parts of the world, completes the picture in a few words. FRUIT PRESERVING You can’t’hope to eat everything in •your garden the moment it is ripe. What then? Are you going to allow it to run to waste? There is something terrific about a gardefi. You dig and sow and work. For a long time nothing happens. Then suddenly the garden is full of beans, or tomatoes, or carrots. Unless you make prudent preparation to harvest the bounty of the soil your work is more than wasted.' Fortunately the Wellington Gas Company has already planned to provide you with assistance. This Home Service Department has a stand at the “Dig for Victory” exhibition, where you may see how to cope with your garden victory harvests. At this stand at the ‘exhibition you may see numerous examples of how to bottle the harvest of your garden as it ripens. Many people do not realize that such vegetables as sweet corn, beans, carrots, marrow, beetroot, and peas can be bottled and used lated on, even in midwinter. Actually if you follow the methods demonstrated daily at the offices of the Wellington Gas Company, or in the demonstration kitchen at the “Dig for Victory” exhibition your garden crops will last indefinitely. It is up to all of us to make the fullest use of the products of the soil at a time in the war when every carrot counts. Indeed, if we can feed ourselves from our gardens that much food has been made available elsewhere to assist the war effort. There is an art in bottling vegetables. Garden experts may know how'to produce luscious crops. It would be unwise, however, to rush to the bottling business without a knowledge of the best way to do it. Actually there are several ways of bottling even tomatoes. The Gas Company demonstrates them all. Indeed, if you attend a demon stratibn you will actually acquire a confidence in your garden products which was lacking before. Home preserving is simple when you know how to do it, when you know that the product you preserve, won’t mysteriously go wrong.

VEGETABLE GROWING Everyone endeavouring to grow vegetables in a home garden will find inspiration and instruction in an excellent booklet compiled by the Department of Agriculture. Entitled “Vegetable Growing in the Home Garden.” It has been written with a view to assisting more specially those thousands of amateur gardeners who have been spurred by the “Dig for Victory” campaign. The l&uthor. Mr. D. K. Pritchard, the department’s instructor in vegetable culture. has avoided technical terms and produced an essentially helpful and concise booklet. Whatever gardening terms are used that might be meaningless to amateurs are fully explained in a glossary. In addition the book is carefully indexed. Home gardeners should not miss it. Copies of Growing in the Home Garden” are available at. any office of the Department of Agriculture in New Zealand, and at the ‘‘Dig for Victory” exhibition at the Wellington Town Hall,-at Cd. each.

HOME GARDENING CIRCLE If you intend tc dig for victory you might just as well do it backed by a knowledge of the fundamentals of . the game. There is more in a nice luxuriant crop of cabbages or any other vegetable than the mere physical exertion of the digging. You coujd, of course, ask a friend. He may know. Why not know yourself, and know that you know right? You can’t dig at night, but you can well spend the time reading about gardening. As a matter of fact, this aspect of the task has received the attention of experts. The result is the Home Gardening Circle Book Club (annual subscription 6/-). Some of the informative books available to members may be seen at the Home Gardening Circle stall, sponsored by A. H. and A. W. Heed, at the Dig For Victory Exhibition in the Town Hall. In addition to the privileges of the free question and answers service, members of the Home Gardening Circle receive quarterly publications such as the “Vegetable Gardening Calendar,” “Wartime Gardening,” “Garden Pests and Diseases,’’ together with a “Gardener's Digest.” These publications are written specially for New Zealand conditions. Standard publications, such as “New Zealand Garden Dictionary” and “Soil Fertility,” both by J. W. Matthews. F.L.S.. may bo obtained through the sponsors of the stall or postal inquiries P.O. Box 2, Te Aro, Wellington. Members of the circle also receive special bulletins dealing with the garden month by month. A reference library is .available at. theDublisliM3.,wier.e,A-Cotti-

plete grasp of the fundamentals of digging for victory may be obtained in the shortest time. It is perhaps worth noting that an entirely novel idea in vegetable literature is also available specially to members. This idea is embodied in a book called “Poppa Passes,” by A. W. Reed. It contains profuse illustrations and reading matter calculated to appeal to every one from a child upward. All this and more may be seen at the stand of the publishers at the exhibition. It is.well worth making a note to pay a visit to this stand. Better fitill, join the. circle and dig for victory not only with zest, but complete confidence in yourself. The stand is easy to find. It is situated in the middle of the hall almost opposite the