LUCERNE GROWING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 February 1925, Page 10

LUCERNE GROWING.

COMRETiiIO'NS

MA N GAT OKI DISTHICT. Experience each season goes further ana juniier in pi-00l ol trie tact, that lucerne is one o 1 the most user 11 1 assets oi the dairy tanner, s>tauuing to lum in the hour ol need tuning the autumn and winter, and, in lae-t, during any dry spell that may occur during the season. its great value nas been proved. once mo.e, during the weeks ol hot dry weather just nmsuieo, when, without that aid, milk yields would have come down fast.

Farmers bore witness yesterday to that fact at the com,petitions for lucerne growing in the Mangutoki district, which are the iirot to be arranged under the auspices of that branch ol the Farmers' Union. A number of the members have grown Tucerne for some years, and several more have put in fresh areas this season, that is late in November or in December, the time considered best, for planting that gieat fodder plant. 3 lie first series of competitions brought out no less than fifteen entries. Most were mature crops, hut three were in their second year and three were this season’s.

The president (Mr. AY. E. Carter), hon. secretary (Mr. H. Thrush) and the executive of the branch have worked extremely hard to ensure success. and the good results of yesterday s work must be the most .effective answer to the question, of their success. it was undoubted.

The quality of the entered crops was .certainly outstanding, and the standard reached by the first five mature crops was very high indeed and remarkably even, while the others were I '.'it iar halriml. In the two-year crops I lie standard of exhibits one and two was even- higher, and the judges had hard work to fault (hem at alk while he young crops, were very good. The judges were Messrs. A. J. Ginsson, of the Department of Agriculture, and at his request, Mr. C. T. Nicholas, a member of the union. Mr' J. AY. Deem was prevented by i rid imposition from heing present. The judges and members of the union, who accompanied them had a strenuous day, having to travel a long way by car and a very considerable distance over farms, in, the face most of the time qf heavy rain. But the success.! ul results were ample recompense.

At mid-day the party were provided with lunch at the Manga,toki Hall, and at the end of the arduous day’s work a most welcome and very dainty afternoon tea was given them at the residence of the president, Air. \A\ K. Carter, on the Hunter Road. The hostesses were Mrs. and Miss Carter, and their kindness was, most appreciated. ’

Before the gathering dispersed Air. Gla®.son expressed his own entire approval of the competitions, anti heartily congratulated the farmers who had entered crops. lie said they were all of more than average quality, and some were outstanding in every way. He complimented all on the entire success achieved, and said he felt sure valuable lessons would he learnt front the experience of, others, and that from the clash of opinions would come new idea,® and method®, that, would prove to th<? culvantaiTO oi all, 7-JV apologise] for the alhsen.ee of Air. Deem, and commended Mr. Nicholas lor his excellent co-operation in the work of judging. On his motion a hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Carter and jo the members, of the union for their kindly hospitality. In acknowledging the. compliments. ™e president said they were all much indebted to Mr. GI as,son and Mr. Nicholas, and congratulated them on the efficient way in which they had •arried out the work of adjudication. He commended members for their support and complimented them on their success. He paid a special tribute to the Hawera Star for their unfailing support to the interests of the farmer and to the valued help given by their widespread and liberal publicity. The results were as below (points ire given for cultivation, evenness co.cm- and freedom from weeds and quality, 10 each):

This announcement of awards concluded a most profitable day's work. ( Members all agreed that their first competitions had arii.plv repaid tlieni 'or their efforts, and it was the general belief that more would he entered next year

MATURE CROPS. f 0. B r ock 9} 10 9 10 —38.} *• w JO. Carter- 9 10 91 10—08? 3 J. Ca rl.son 9 10 91 9—37} ! J. Sulzberger .. '8 10 10 9—37“ "> 0. Carlson 8 9 9 10-30 TWO-YEAR CROPS. ! A. J. Prestidge 10 10 10 9}—39} 2 J. Carlson . ' 9 10 10 10—39* 3 A. JO. Baker ... 8 9 8 9--84 Y WAR TANG CROPS. 1 A. Uttinger .... 9 9 9 9—86 2 W. JO.. Carter .. 9‘ 9 8 9 —35} 3 A. .J. Prestidge 9 8 8 —38*