PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 29, 28 July 1911, Page 8

PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION

AN INTERESTING COMPETITION. ] The second amuuil ploughing coimpeti- ' tion held at Mr, W. Biidling's, Waitara, j yesterday, under the auspices of the North Taranaki Ploughing Association, , proved very interesting to farmers and , others. Tlie weather, though cold, iras I ideal for the purpose, and the ground being dry the conditions were favorable to good work. There was an attendance of about 400 spectators, and the opinion was expressed that the ploughing was a decided improvement on last year. There were only seven competitors, viz., four in the double furrow class, and three in the single. Several other entries had been received, but for various reasons the competitors were unable to compete. The society is trying to foster an accomplishment among young Taranaki farmers that is-bccom-ing more and more necessary every day, as land is now getting such a high price that cultivation is imperative if the best results are to be obtained. It is to be regretted, therefore, that more interest is not taken in this the only ploughing match held in Taranaki. There should be good competition, and probably will be next year, as the competitors were keenly watched and their work fully criticised, and more than one old farmer was heard to remark that his boy at home could plough as good as the best, there, in fact, there would be a growl if he did not. Quite so, but next year fetch the boy out and let others see what he can do. Moreover, experience might even improve him, It was interesting to listen to the reminiscences of, tliiose whio had (competed fn the ancient Taranaki ploughing matches I nearly thirty years ago, or who had recollections of their own ploughing feats in England. "Why." said one hoary old veteran contemptuously, "call that ploughing. In mv time they wouldn't let them do it. I say, Mister, in those days we had to turn it up eight inches deep and bottom upwards. In solid clay soil at that." "Yes," he allowed grudgingly, "Tills is not had of its sort." The judges of the ploughing were Messrs. Crabb (Marton), F. Andrews (Bell Block), and J. West (New Plymouth). They said that taking it all through the although -there were a few faults noticeable. The principal faults were that the furrows were a bit heavy and wide, and that the finishes were not particularly 5 good, bad judgment being displayed in ■ the width of the last furrows, with the ' result that the seed or scoring furrow • was not even. Mr. Crabb said that he

ma'-hos in Feilding and Martin lately. The work shown at Waitnra", wris ahead of Feilding but hardly where there were, horn-very jiuv more competitors. In the double furrow?, tin*re was. very little to ol>"i>se liMjvepn the first nnd .second, save 4 hat thq,winner had the best ridge. He did not Wpipfte last year. R. Tate, who won last Tear, could only get third. Ii the single furrow, the winner's ridge was not as good as the second man's, but. his work was clean and well packed. The winner came second last year. W. Rook, who came second, won the boys' class last year. The same judges judged the best teams. The winning team consisted of three nicely matched horses, with brass-mounted gear; ,the second consisting <A four horses. The judges remarked that it was difficult to coirfpare a. three-horse team with a four-horse one. The animals, however, were fairly even, but they had also to consider the whole turn-out. nnd could not do otherwise than plaee the teams si they were. There .was one team, driven by W. Rooks, which they considered should have been entered.

The jumping competitions provided, some good sport and some nice jumping, and in the maiden class the judges, Messrs. Jas. Mitchell and R. D. Colson, had same difficulty in selecting the winners.

Messrs. C. Gaustad and T. Luxton were actively engaged throughout the day in getting off numerous chain-stepping competitions.

The whole proceedings passed off without a hitch, the officials all working well and having all arrangements evidently completely thought out before hand. The secretary, Mr. T. Buchanan, was most courteous and obliging in the execution of his multifarious duties, and with Mr. W. Birdljng, pMSidcnt, and tHe committee, which, consisted of Messr-s. J. George, J. G, Foremati, E» NSkelton, A. W. F. Jenkins, T. Luxton, ,T. Ratiwiburv, C. Gaustad, E. Oole, W. Rogk, A. H. Holcombe, and W. Cole, are to be congratulated on the success of Imp fumtion.

The results were as follows:

Double Furrow.—First prize. £5 5a and qnarter-ton of manure presented bv Messrs. Borthwick nnd Sons; second, £2 10s and set of winkers presented by Mr. B. E. Chappie; third prize, £1 10s. —L. Tate 1, N. Terrill 2, R. Tate 3. Patu also competed. The special prize of 501b. of flour, presented by Messrs. Burgess, Fraser and Co. for the best opened up ridge, was won by .L. Tate.

Single Furrow.—First prize, £3 and quarter-tow of manure presented by Messrs. Borthwick and Sons; second prize, £1 10s and Mr. 11. E. Chappie's whip; third prize, £l.—A. D. Beauchamp 1, W. Rook 2, J. Campbell 3. Best Turn-out.—Special prize of £1 10s arid Mr. H. Longman's special prize of 501b. of flour.—R. Tate's Nugget, Rose and' Violet 1, G. V. Tate, four-horse' team, 2. Also competed, Patu. Maiden Jumping.—A' sweepstake of 5s each, with Mr. KibbyV trophy.—A. H. Halcombe's Flying 1, Vf. Lonergan's Jersey 1 2, L. George's Red Hazard 3. Also' competed: C. Stockman's Te Atffi; B. Topliss' Laddie, N. Pcpperill's ReSwing, R. J. Hod Son's Jack, K. Topliss' All Gray, W. Audrey's Bachelor's Button, and C. Matthews' Malaphin,

Open Jumping—A sweepstake of 10s each, with Mr. Kibby's special.—L. V. Russell's Otis 1, A. Cliff's Kiri 2, A. OlitT's Kura 3. Also competed: G, Foreman's Barney, A. H.' Halcombo'a Flying Scotchman, B. H. Chaney's Star Lass, W. 11. Boulton's Po>mpey, 0. Matthews' Rua, and C. Stockman's Te Akau.

Chain-Stepping,— There were several chain-stepping competitions, the respective winners being A. R. Forbes. H. Poreman. P. Rook, Kilpatrick, .T. Robinson, and J. George. The sheep-guessing was won by P. ScrLmgeour, who rguessed the correct weight. llOlbs. He also, with others, guessed correctly last. year. There were 142 competitors, whose estimates varied from 6iy„lbs to lfSlbs. In the evening the annual dinner Was held and very largely attended.