CROP COMPETITIONS

Northern Advocate, 19 June 1926, Page 4

CROP COMPETITIONS

j WHANGARBI DISTRICT. SEASON 1925-1926.

The first field crop competition organised by the Whangaroi A. and P. Society, as an extension of the Winter Show competitions, was judged on June 8 and 9.

The competition was for the best quarter-acre eiop of cither mangolds or carrots, to bo grown by a farmer on his own property in the Whangarci district. Entry forms wore sent out for about 50 crops, and in the initial stage there was every indication of a big entry, but the very poor season resulted in the witndrawml of many crops, the final entries being reduced to 11 mangold crops and five carrot crops. These numbers were again further reduced by withdrawals before judging, leaving 10 crops of mangolds and four crops of carrots grown by seven farmers. A number of interested farmers accompanied the judge on his visit to the various farms.

Points were awarded as follows: — (a) General appearance evenness, spacing, freedom from weeds, 5 points; (b) trueness to type and quality, 20 points; (c) estimated yield, one point for each ton, and half point for each half ton or over.

RESULTS. 1. J. Bre.slin, Titoki, prize-winner. —Quarter-acre, grown after paspalum- pasture on river flats. “Yellow Globe. ’ ’ Points awarded 71. (a) General appearance, etc., 21. Somewhat uneven, spacing 25iu between rows and spacing between plants about 12in, good. Weeds were bad in places, (b) Trucness to type and quality, 15. The crop showed variations in type but was generally of good quality, the medium bulbs being particularly sound. (e) Weight, 53 tons 10 ewt, 531. Weighed out at 53 tons 10 ewt per acre, being the heaviest crop in the competition. The weight, however, was greatly reduced by the uneven size of the bulbs and the fact that all spaces were not filled by transplanting. General. —The natural fertility of the river flat soil on which the crop was grown was greatly assisted by the early ploughing (in Juno) and later thorough cultivation. The yield, however, was adversely affected, as in all crops, by the late spring and particularly dry summer and early autumn. These conditions, however, had more effect in reducing the yield on the volcanic soils. Three ewt of manure was used.

2. A. H. Crane. Quarter-acre, grown after potatoes on fair quality loam soil. Prizewinner “Yellow Globe.” Points awarded 604. (a) General appearance, etc., 44. Very even crop. Spacing between rows good. Distance between plants a little too great. Exceptionally clean, •well cultivated crop, (b) Trueness to typo and quality, 16. Very even in type, the bulbs being ■well formed, with particularly small necks. The quality, due to lack of moisture, was not up to standard, the bulbs tending to be spongy near the centres, (c) Weight, 40 tons, 40. The second heaviest crop, which however suffered from lack of moisture. The early ploughing and good cultivation were again responsible for a fair crop, under conditions which were at all times adverse, The use on soils which tend to dry out quickly of farmyard manure or a green manure crop such as “White Mustard” ploughed in, would be invaluable in assisting to hold moisture during dry seasons. General.—A total of one ton per acre of one-third lime, one-third super and oiie-third kainit were used. The limiting factor, however, -was undoubtedly moisture, and steps should be taken to correct this shortage. Otherwise* heavy manuring is not economical. Very little extra manure should be required for a crop on the same ground next season.

3. G. S. B. Morrises, Maungatapere. —Quarter-acre, grown after grass on volcanic soil. “Yellow Glohe ” prizewinner. Points awarded 51|. (a) General appearance, etc., 3. Somewhat uneven. Spacing, 34in. between rows, too great, while the plants were too close in the rows. Fairly free from weeds, (b) Trueness to type and quality, 1(1. Bulbs were of fairly good type, while the quantity, considering the very dry conditions, was good. i(e) Weight, 32 tons .10 cwt., 324. The weight wns greatly reduced by the distance between the rows. Pour cwt. of manure was used. General. — As with all the crops on the volcanic soils, the effect of the dry summer was very marked. All the crops were still growing strongly, and a complete new set of large, healthy leaves formed in late autumn. The need for heavy dressings of farmyard manure or the ploughing in of autumn -grown green manure crops to assist in holding moisture is w r ell demonstrated. OTHEB CHOPS. The other mangold crops judged were the following:—G. S. B. Morrison, “Bong Beds,” 484 points, weight 304 tons; W. Hawken, “Long Beds,” 474 points, weight 304 tons; A. C. M. Pinlayson, “Yellow r Globe,” 48 points, weight 28 tons; A. C. M. Pinlayson, “Long Beds,” not weighed; A. C. M. Pinlayson, “White Sugar,” not weigh-, cd; P. A. Burdett Stuart, “Jersey Queen,” not weighed.

CARROTS. Tpour^ crops of carrots were judged, two entered by A. C. M. Finlayson, arid two-by A. H. Crane. All four crops wore grown on r-wamp land and had suffered to some extent from the wet conditions. If sufficient entries are forthcoming in future years it would be advisable to judge the carrots early in May, as they are often required in the early winter. The crops judged were disappointing, the best weight -being only 15 tons per acre, due largely jto the unsuitable soil and bad weather conditions. There is no doubt that carrots as a crop will compare with mangolds only on the lighter volcanic soils. RESULTS. 1, A. C. M. FiAlayson. —Quarteracre “White Belgian," grown after kumeras. Points awarded 31. (a) General appearance, etc., 3. Uneven crop; too wide between rows and rather weedy, (b) Truencss to type and quality, 15. Good type, though small; -somewhat affected by damp conditions. (c.) Weight 13 tons, 13. The weight per acre in carrots is largely dependent on the width between the rows and the spacing between the plants. The yield of only-. 13 tons per acre, as compared with 50 : 60 tons which, have been grown in nth er, districts, indicates the position with regard to the carrot crops judged. 2. A. H. Crane. ■ — Quarter-acre “White Belgian," grown after pumpkins. Points awarded 30. (a) General appearance, 2. A very uneven crop, somewhat weedy. Spacing between the rows (20in.) too great, (b) Truencss to type and quality, 13. Typo ■was not good, while the quality was not up to -standard, (c) Weight, 15. The weight per acre was difficult to obtain, -owing to the uneven crop. Two other crops were inspected, but not judged. General. —There is no doubt that much better carrot crops were grown in the district this year, but far various reasons -they were not entered, or were withdrawn from the competition. Since the crops judged were grown on land not altogether suited to the crop, little of real value as to carrot growing in the district can be gained from the competition, except that “White Belgian" in this district will be probably as outstanding in yield as it bas been in other districts where competitions are held.