ROOT CROP CONTESTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 May 1928, Page 10

ROOT CROP CONTESTS.

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS. THE FIRST JUDGING. A fairly comprehensive round of the I district surrounding Manaia was made I yesterday, when crops entered in the senior division of the' Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs competitions in* root growing were judged by Mr. A. J. Glasson and Mr. W. Freeman, of the Agricultural Department, who each year judges the crops of the contestants. There were only five seen, but all • were of good quality and showed care by the young people. Commencing at Mr. J. Dakers’ farm on the Lower Glenn Road, the party, who were later joined by Messrs. E. J. Betts and J. T. Clague, of the Manaia branch of the Farmers’ Union, proceeded to the Upper Glenn Road and thence, to Oeo. In the afternoon they continued the work, judging crops oil the Kokeri Road. At lunch the members - were hospitably entertained by Mrs. E. J. Betts," while Mrs. Dakers gave them l morning tea at her house, an attention which was heartily appreciated by all. Speaking of the crops, Mr. Glasson said that, although they suffered from the excessively dry spell, they were on the whole wonderfully good. Naturally they did not respond to the cultivation given by the competitors OIS could have lieen wished. The indications were, in his opinion, that the crops' would not he up to the standard of last year. The crops had shown a marvellous recovery since the rain set in, and were looking well. The conditions of competition were as follow: Half an acre, divided into two plots, was to enable a- mammal test to be tried out. For mangolds, one plot bad three parts of super, one of Nauru and one of bonemeal, at the rate of 5-wt to the acre, with kainit 3ewt to the acre added. The i same mixture, without the addition of kainit, was also used. For carrots, the first had' three parts super, one bonemeal, one Nauru, at 4cvrt per acre, and the second had the same mixture, plus sulphate of potash at lewt per acre. In judging, one point is given for every half ton of weight of crop, and 10 points each for cultivation and quality. The charts have still to Ire judged, so that the competition is incomplete for the present. Results were as Irelow : MANGOLDS. L. Walker. —(1) 68 tons 13cwt, (2) 63 tons lOcwt; average, 66 tons lewt; cultivation 10, quality 8; 150 points. George Feather. —(1) 44 tons 9cwt; (2) 55 tons 17cwt; a verage, 50 tons 3cwt; cultivation 9, quality 8; 117. Edna Dakers. —(1) 30 tons 12cwt; (2) 28 tons 12cwt; average, 29 tons 12ewt: cultivation 8, quality 6; 73. CARROTS. 11. Feather.—(l) 43 tons 2ewt; (2) 45 tons 2cwt; average, 44 tons 2ewt; cultivation 9, quality 8; 105 points. AY. Dakers. —(1) 35 tons 13cwt; (2) 45 tons 3c*wt; average, 40 tons Bewt; cultivation 8, quality 6; 95.

ITINERARY OF JUDGING, 1928. In connection with the root- growing : om.peiiitions of the South. Taranaki Hoys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Ci'aibs, the following itinerary of judging has been drawn up by Mr A. J. Glasson, Fields Instructor, who asks that supervisors and paien-ts attend the school' on the. day of judging and arrange for car® to convey pupils to the various plots :• — Alav 24.—T0k0, 9.30 a.m. Mav 25. —Douglas, 9.30 a.m.; Huiroa 1.15 p.m. Mav 28. —Ohangai, 9.30 a.m. Mav 29.—Tokaora, 9.30 a.m. ; Ararat a . 10.30 a.m.; Fraser Road, 1.15 p.m. alav 30. —Normanby, 9.30 a.m. ;• To Roti. 1.15 p.m. Alar,’ 31. —It aw hit iron, 9.30 a.m. ; Alaugaminigi', 1.15 p.m. J n.e s.—Otakeho. 9.30 a.m. ; Man ala ! .15 p.m. June 6.—Auroa, 9.30 a.m.; Oeo, 1.15 p.m. June 7. —To Kiri, 9.30 a.m. ; A.waituna 1 p.m.; Riiverlea, 2.30 p.m. June 8. —Makaka, 9.30 a.m. ; Rowan, I I- a.m. ; Ala.ngatoki. 1.30 p.m. June 12.—Okaiawa, 9.30 a.m. ; Ilawenii, 2.30 p.m. June 13. —Matapu, 9.30 a.m. June 14. —Ngaere, 9.30 a.m.; Stratford, 1.15 p.m. June 15. —Tuna, 9.30 a.m. ; Aficlhirst, II a.m.; Pembroke, 1.15 p.m.; Ca'idiff, 2.3!) 'P.m. The senior plots will bo judged. at. the same time as the junior pots. If it is found necessary to alter this itfne)ary in any way the schools oonrrned will be notified. AI 1 charts must b? completed and at the schools on the day of judging!