PLOUGHING MATCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15659, 13 July 1914, Page 11

PLOUGHING MATCHES.

by w.s. Tins is the season when ploughing matches are usually held. From the middle of Juno until the middle of July is tho most popular month for the various associations to hold their annual meetings. In some districts these meetings have already been held, while the majority are still to be held. It is gratifying to note that these meetings have again revived throughout most parts of the Dominion. For many years there was lack of enthusiasm, and somo parts are still in this position. The advantages of ploughing matches are greater than one at first realises, and we are apt to overlook the principal benefits derived from such meetings. Many look upon them as merely a day's outing, or a day in which the champion or expert ploughman is enabled to show off his work, while the true usefulness of such meetings is overlooked. Value of Ploughing Competitions. It is not so much the actual work dono on match day that makes these meetings so usefid as it is the improvement of the work done generally throughout the whole of the district in which they are held. Perhaps one of the principal items of "improvement is in the handling of the teams and in bringing the horses and harness out to the best advantage. Ploughing, like other things, is often affected by tho general class of work performed in the locality. When good work is encouraged, and that work taken up by the right class of men, the spirit becomes infectious, just the same as slovenly work also becomes infectious, as is very much in evidence in certain farming localities; and as it is the farmer generally who benefits by the good work done, it is, therefore, to each individual farmer's benefit to encourage good work by every means that lies in his power. Encouraging Good Work. Perhaps tho best and most effectual way to attain this end is for each individual tanner employing ploughmen to show a keen interest in the work himself. Ihere is no greater inducement on the part of tho ploughman than appreciation from his employer. This should not bo merely confined to tho work dono in the field, but should cover tho wholo of tho work in connection with the team and care of the harness, winch is sadly lacking in many teamsters. Every convenience for doing the work should bo wisely provided, also suitable material for cleaning and polishing that is thought necessary. Many ploughmen take such pride in their team and harness that when suitable material for cleaning is not provided by tho owner of the team that, in order to keep on equal terms with their rival ploughmen, they go so far as to buy the required material on their own account. his, though it shows a keenness on the part of tho ploughman, casts discredit on the owner for allowing him to do so. If the employee is willing to give up his time in the interest* of the team it should be the employer's pleasure to encourage him in every possible way, and no lack of materials should be wanting.

The Art of Ploughing. Ploughing is the first operation carried out in tho way of ordinary cultivation, and the plough is therefore-'the most important .implement. Land in its native state is always in grass or pasture of come kind or other; even when the ground is occupied by hush or scrub there will be grass of some kind if not completely smothered out. To bring this land into cultivation tho first work is ploughing. The plough is the foundation of cultivation, besides being the pioneer in breaking up virgin land _in nine cases out of ten. The plough is the mainstay of land already under cultivation, whether out of lea or on tho removal of a crop. The preparation for the next crop begins, also, with ploughing. Tho plough is, therefore, king of all cultivators. Ordinary second-rate ploughing, as is done on many of our New Zealand farms, has many disadvantages,, and is not conducive to best results. Firstgrade ploughing, on the other hand, is tho keynote to perfect cultivation, and should bo encouraged. Land not properly ploughed cannot bo perfectly cultivated, no matter what implement is employed or what amount of cultivation it gets afterwards. Effects of Bad Ploughing. To plough land roughly, and then try to make up for its deficiency by giving it an extra stroke of the discs or cultivator, is not only waste of time, but is like building a good house on a bad foundation. If the foundation is of an inferior class, the wholo structure is made inferior. If ploughing is of an inferior class, any amount of after-cultivation will not make up for its inferiority. Good ploughing need not bo match work, as many good ploughmen have never contested in a match. Notwithstanding this, however, ploughing matches are useful in bringing together tho best men of their districts, which allows them a,chance to test their skill in open competition— which is conducive to good work being done surrounding tho locality in which the contests are held; and, as there is nothing like open competition to bring out a man's abilitv, an intending competitor will naturally put in a deal of hard work practising beforehand, to enable him to acquit himself creditably in the eves of the public. Many make a careful study of every detail in connection with the plough and its yoking, as w?ll as tho team.