BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 June 1928, Page 10

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

RiOOT-G'ROWING CONTESTS. AIAIIAPC E'IGiUHES. Matapu is always interesting to the judges -in tiiei Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs' root-growing competitions, because it is a district where tlhe children are encouraged to do the work on the farm by their parents, where tne settlers take a 'live interest in the scheme. But this year the judging, which took place yesterday, tmdelr the direction 0,l Messrs A. J. Glassou and Bod Syme, revealed a plot of mangolds winch leaves the previous best behind by no less than 36 tons. Miss Dorotny Ward s plot at Okaiawa produced at the rate of 152 tons per acre, jbut that of Harold Willis, Matapu, yielded at the rate of 18S tons per acre—anil set a record that will he very hard to excel. This extraordinary growth ami development is best emphasised when it is realised that in two rows twenty two feet in length, there were only titty-eight, roots, and they weigned out as follow: Seven roots each 15Hhs, 147 libs, loGlhs, 13 7 lbs; eight roots, 1.8/ tbs, nine roots 19Llbs, twelve roots 182lhs, and one root 141 b. The cultivation was perfect and secured the maximum, but the quality, as might foe expected, in such huge roots, was course and rough. There were two other plots which worked out at close to a hundred tons, but the best plot of the day, for all round quality and care was the 74 tons of Clifiord Treweek. The judges were very commendatory in their remarks. The .same competitor bad a very good plot of carrots, wthidh easily topped the Matapu list rand was in every way admirable. But there were . also several other good plots grown. .In a few preliminary remarks, Mr Glasson emphasised the need lor care ami cultivation, which meant so much to any crop. He also added that, ii the plots were found to be gappy, il was advisable to fill up when the plants were quite small by transplanting rather than when nearly full grown. Speaking of the work done by his boy Mr Willie .said he always helped and encouraged liAro and thus interested him in the preparation of cultivation. He said'that parents could) always help their children and at the same time, increase their own knowledge.

Mr Syme said that this was an excellent plan and if more parents did the same the work of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club would flourish much more than was the ease at present. Mr Seed drew attention to the consistently good outside rows' ol a plot and said that it was due largely to the extra sun and air which tlhe roots got ami also to the advantage it derived from an adjoining orop._ The party of boys who were taken round to the crops by Messrs W. A. Guy and AY. T. Seed enjoyed the outing very much. The whole company was entertained by Mrs W. H. Carter at morning, coffee and at luncheon by Mrs C. Willis and these kindnesses were acknowledged by votes of thanks carried by acclamation. The resuldtej were( a point for each ton of weight,, cultivation 40, and quality 10): MANGOLDS. Harold Willis: 188 tons 7cwt, cultivation 40, quality 5; total 233). Edith Prestidge: 99 tons, 36, 8; 143. Frank Prestidge : 94 tons. 13owt, 35 8; 137*. 'Clifford Treweek: 74 tons 14cwt, 38 8: 120* . CARROTS. Clifford Treweek: 53 tons lGcwt, cultivation 9, quality 8; total 1003. Herbert Steer : 43 tons 7cwt v 36, 6. 85*. „ oo - Harold Willis: 40 tons 6ewt, 38, < 85*. Allan. Wetton : 39 tons lewt, 35, 7; 81. Lewis Carter: 31 tons 3cwt, 36, /; 74. , _ _ Trixie Carter: 30 tons lewt, 3/, / ; 74. _ Maurice Carter : 30 tons lewt, 3<>, < ; Merrin Carter: 30 tons 17e\vt. 85. 7: 723.