PLOUGHING MATCHES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7854, 17 July 1911, Page 2

PLOUGHING MATCHES

A REVIVAL. The recent revival of the old time ploughing matches in the Manawatn and Kangitikei districts that has taken place this year has proved to bo one of the most instructive movements that has been, advanced by the farming community for some time. The competitions that have been held at Feilding and Marten during the last two weeks have been very successful, more so than the promoters anticipated when the matter was taken in hand a few months ago. If the enthusiasm that has been shown in the revival can be taken as an indication for future success —and there is every reason to believe that it can be, because the right men are at the head of affairs —there is every possibility that the fixtures will bo permanent. Doubts were at first entertained as to whether ploughmen would be forthcoming in sufficient numbers to provide an interesting contest. In this connection it is pleasing to noto that many employers who did not take an active part in the competitions themselves encouraged their men to do so, with the result that there were good entries throughout. The Feilding match to a certain extent acted as a curtain-raiser for the one held a week later at Marton. In the former instance quite a large number of wellknown ploughmen were content to bo onlookers—getting the strength' of the opposition as it were —before entering the lists themselves. Those who did compete scarcely did their capabilities justice ; few if any of them had ever taken part in a ploughing match before, and they were not seen at their best in the presence of the large crowd of critical spectators that had assembled. THE MARTON MATCH.

During the week's interval between the Feilding and Marton matches ploughing experts wero busy showing the younger generation pointers and in giving their seasoned advice about small details in. respect to. match ploughing. Young fellows were urged to '“have a go," with tho result that a large entry faced tho judges at Marton last Wednesday. Unfortunately tho rough weather during tho early part of tho week prevented a number of entrants from a distance patting in an appearance with their teams. , 'There was good competition in tho double furrow classes, a special feature of which was tho interest shown in tho one open to youths under eighteen years of age. Tho paddocks selected on Mr T. Bredin's property were in good condition considering tho heavy rain that had fallen during tho previous week, in fact, it was surprising to find that there was scarcely any surface water lying on them—the result of underground draining some years ago. The surface was not quite as oven as is required for tho best work to be shown, and tho fact that tho direction necessitated ploughing over old furrows made the new work appear rather wavy. work was judged by Messrs Balsillie, of Palmerston, and J. Northcotte, of Waituna, both of whom have had long experience in contests of this kind. In their opinion tho work was first-class as far as actual ploughing was concerned, but tho majority of the men did not make particularly good work in opening ..up and fishing; that is, when judged as show work. In every instance tho strike out was made with both furrows, which made the finished crown present a ragged and open appearance. To get better, results a very light and a medium furrow, backed up by a single furrow on tho return journey, makes a more even crown. In finishing a great many miscalculated tho width of tho grass land for tho last turn, with the result that difficulty was found in making anything like a level and clean finish. There were a few outstanding exceptions In this respect, and considerable difficulty was experienced in making the first award. STYLES. There was much diversity of opinion among the farmers present regarding the advisability of including a class in which competitors are allowed to put “cut" on their ploughs eo as to produce a fine “comb" on tho furrow, which under present conditions of cultivation, and sowing is 'not necessary in the formation of a soed bed. Xu former days when sowing was don© on tho furrow it was essential that the ploughed land presented an even and regular surface, otherwise a largo proportion of the aeed would bo lost by falling into open spaces between the furrows. A fine covering of

*arth was also required to cover tlie !-:ecd, hence the comb, on top of the furrow, formed by the angle at which tlie plough was set. The width had also to i>c gauged according to the nature of Die crop and a narrower furrow had to be maintained than is observed in present day operations. The result was that a more erect furrow was made which presented only a small surface for cultivation. In those days a few strokes of the harrows was about all the working that the land received after ploughing was 1 completed. That was )>cfore of discs, cultivators and drills. With the introduction of these modern implements the whole of the preparation of the seed bed was altered, and farmers adopted quite a different style of ploughing. In the competitions that were held twenty years ago, the hast ploughman was he who could make the most even work and at the same time provide the greatest surface of firmly packed land for working down; which meant the application of no sun all amount of skill and ability. With the introduction of improved machinery for working the land and the increasing necessity for more thorough cultivation, in order to secure good crops from the land that was becoming exhausted cf its virgin fertility through constant oropiug, a now style of ploughing has been adopted. There is no need now to provide a fiao comb for the furrow, maintaining the width is not essential, ami although the art of ploughing is just as important now as in the past, the same I’esponsibility does not rest on the ploughman in the production of the crop as existed years ago. By this it is not to lie inferred that modern ploughing is simplified to such an extent that there is no great art in the work. On the contrary, it is just as essential that the operator; is conversant with every detail of the) capabilities* of a * plough, when properly set and handled, as he over was. Modern implements for after treatment have only altered, one of the features of the work. The same knowledge of how to sot and handle the plough is ncceasary. To bo able to improve the appearance of the work, and to regulate any deficiencies while the work is in progress requires a thorough knowledge of the plough so that correction can bo made. Xf the finished surface is too flat, or the furrow is being broken by faulty packing, the ploughman should know the reason and remedy. A complete knowledge of all details :s not acquired in a year, and the more opportunities that are presented where comparisons can be made with other men s work, the better will bo the all-round result. In defence of the inclusion of claisefl in which cut is permitted it is claimed that, an opportunity ns givejv for first-class ploughmen to demonstrate what can bo done with a plough when controlled by an expert. The finished work may bo described fancy ploughing, and not exactly the same as would be done for general farm purposes, and although it may bo condemned when judged from the standpoint of utility, it is pone the less useful. To show good work the operator must know his business and it is a simple matter for him to alter the set of his plough to conform with ordinary farm requirements. There are unfortunately many men who do not place sufficient importance on the value of good ploughing as affecting the yield of the crop. So long as tht, soil i& turned over little else is considered. These men are bad ploughmen under any conditions, and one of the principal reasons why ploughing matches are held is to try and effect an improvement in’ the general standard of farm ploughing. From the widespread interest that has been shown” in the recent competitions, there can bo no doubt that a marked Improvement will_ be shown- in the standard of work in „ the # centres that have come under their influence.. In proof of this the quality of the work at Feilding, and that at Marten a week later, showed that many small defects had been found out and remedied in the meantime. It was generally admitted by those who were present at both compe titions that the work at Morton was lai prnd away to that shown at Feilding, yet Mr Managh, who won the B class last Wednesday, was placed second at Feilding only a week beiOje. Bh had evidently picked up those usefnl hints that enabh>d him to pnt the necessary finish on his work to catch tne judge’s eyo. FINISHING. As already mentioned the finishes were mostly -tfery ordinary work, due Principally to errors in judgment .of the width of unploughcd ground left to b© gathered in the last round. This feature of the work also led to a great deal of argument during the day as to what appearance an ideal finish should present. Some of the competitors made nice oven and straight finishes with scarcely any ground being wasted between th© lands, but the majority were far from perfect in this respect. Their finishing furrows were wide and the grass and crumbling pods were very uneven in height and otherwise irregular. One pf tlic most important features of finishing is to preserve as mfich of the land as possible for the future seed bed, and the narrowct the channel is kept the greater the saving. A 'vide farrow is also a disadvantage when the paddock is ploughed again in the same direction. To preserve an even surface on the held tne next crown is made along the old tarrow. Xf it he a wide one. difficulty is experienced in bringing the now work up level. Although this is only a minor detail it has an important .place in the judge's calculations, and in influence on the yield of the crops later on. It was noticeable also that every man finished with a full team,, which necessitated the upturned sods being trampled SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. The general arrangements governing the competition bore evidence of careful study on the part of the managing committee. and no fault could ho found with their work as far as it went. There were omissions noticed by visitors which, if pointed out, could easily bo remedied at future gatherings. Although there were programmes stating the various events, no indication was given as to who the competitors were, or whore they came from. Again, no one present seemed to know on what conditions the judges' decision was to bo arrived at; whether on general appearance or on' points for different features. The ultimate decisions of the judges, that wore announced without comment at tho conclusion of the work gave general satisfaction, but there were many present who would have liked to know exactly how those decisions were arrived at. There was no indication given where weaknesses were displayed or faulty work was done. The winner did not learn where his superiority was shown, nor was tho loser made acquainted' with his shortcomings. A few general remarks from tho judges at the conclusion of the contest would be of great educational value. It was suggested that an increased value would follow tho competitions if the judging was done on points and recorded on printed cards, similar to tho way dairy produce is iudged. These records could bo published or kept for reference. At this time of the year very little time is available for examination of tho work to be made after the decisions are announced before darkness sets in, besides visitors are anxious to get away to their homes as nightfall approaches. If something is done to remedy these defects the good influence of tho contests will be greatly extended. THE HORSES. Any account of tho competition would be incomplete without reference being made to the high standard of farm horses that were engaged, and the care that had been shown in their appearance by feeding, grooming, and harnessing. They were judged by Messrs A.' Campbell and J. Hoeken, of Feilding, who both expressed surprise at seeing such a good even typo of farm horses as were, gathered together. The majority of

the teams wero made up of four medium to heavy draughts. The winning team, however, was a splendid trio of heavyweights belonging to Mr Isaac Jefferson. Thcv were well harnessed and presented in show ring condition, and' were a centre of attraction during the day, as were Mr E. Short’s three mares on the previous Wednesday at Feilding. # Mr Managh’s team of four, that gained second place, were an ideal stamp ot farm horse, as wore many others that just failed to find a place in the prize list. Taken on tho whole the tractabilitv of the teams was first class, showing that in this important matter there was that understanding between the horse and its driver which is necessary in the production of good workmanship with tho plough. THE DINNER. At the conclusion of the match a dinner was held in tho White Hart Hotel, which was attended by_ about sixty farmers. A short toast list was afterwards honoured. • In proposing the health o.f the agricultural and pastoral industry, Mr E. Newman, M.P., drew attention to the enormous expansion that had taken place in the production of products from the farm and station during the last few years. Tho earliest record that was obtainable for agricultural exports showed that in 1853 the value exported was, valued 'at .£353,000, representing AD per head of the population. In 1003 the exports had reached 19£ million pounds' worth, equal to X2O per head of population. The latest returns show that 21 million pounds' worth of agricultural commodities left the Dominion. These figures would show to what extent the country was dependent upon tho farming community. He urged all farmers to cultivate a feeling of harmony between themselves and the men/ in their employ, for no one succeeds by what he does alone. lie was glad to say that in political life the work of the Department of Agriculture was outside'©f party. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, as Minister of Agriculture, was enthusiastic and had don© and was doing splendid work for the’ farmers. The staff of tho department was made up of tho most capable men that could Ixnobtainedlfot.their particular work. Mr Newman then outlined the headings of some of the progressive movements that the department has' made to assist the rural industry, specially mentioning the care that is taken to prevent diseased stock from being imported, and the inspection of meat and other produce before it is exported, by which means a good name for purity and quality has been obtained in tho markets of the world. Reference was also made to other ways in which the department was doing its best to assist the producers, such as tho inspection of stock, prevention of diseases, conducting experiments in every centre, and in every way supplying the farmer - with valuable information. If people were alarmed at the way tho country was getting into debt the surest way to prevent any financial disaster would bo to double the production of'farm products. This could be done by closer settlement, batter farming, sound legis-, Jation, and tho freehold to every small land-holder.