FARMERS' FIELD CROPPING

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1928, Page 11

FARMERS' FIELD CROPPING

COMPETITION RESULTS. Under the auspices of the New Zealand 'Farmers* Union, the annual fieid cropping competitions of South Taranaki were carried a further stage yesterday, when seventeen farm plots were again judged. They ranged from small areas to several acres in extent, and on the whole were good, showing that much labour had been expended on them. Mangolds predominated, though carrots and swedes were numerous. In every plot there was evidence of the dry and prolonged summer. Nevertheless, the yield was surprising, and showed what can be done by patience and attention. In some eases, particularly some of mangolds and swedes, there was evidence of the crop having completely died off, but brought away by the later rains. Naturally these crops were rather light, and had not well developed bulbs. However, others were of good weight. The judging is based upon the average weight per acre, points for quality, cultivation, ete., being also noted. Mr. A. J. Glasson, and Mr. J. W. Deem, of the fields division of the Department of Agriculture, were the judges, and were accompanied by many members of the Okaiawa branch of the Farmers’ Union. Mr. E. J. Betts, the newlyelected president of the South Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union, was also present. In the mangold section Mr, H. Betts, Okaiawa, was the highest on the day, his aggregate being 230 points against 170} awarded Mr. P. Bremner, Okaiawa. In both yield and cultivation the judges considered his was a credit to the district.

In the carrot section the Waimate West Demonstration Farm were leading by a margin of nine points in the swede section. Mr. M. Olaluna and R. Cameron were even, though over the whole were not up to standard. Mr. Betts sen. kindly entertained the party for afternoon tea, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The remaining three plots of the group will be judged to-morrow, and on Thursday that of Matapu and district will be commenced.

Results of yesterday’s judging were as follow, points being shown in order of weight, of crop, points for weight, cultivation and quality, the final figure being the total points gained:—

Carrots. —Waimate West Demonstration Farm, 4’5.4 tons, 90, 8. 8, 106; H. Feathers, Okaiawa, 42.13, 85, 6,6, 97; G. F. Cox and 'Sons, Okaiawa, 40.8 tons, SO}, 8,8, 964; J. Clague, Manaia, 33.2 tons, 66, 6,6, 78; G. Giacometti, Okaiawa, 29.3 tons, 58, 7,8, 73; D. A. Green, Okaiawa, 30.16 tons, 61}, 7,7, 75}; Watts Bros., Okaiawa, 27.16 tons, 55}, 7,6, 68}. Mangolds.—H. Betts, Okaiawa, 106 tons, 212, 10, 8, 230; P. Bremner, Okaiawa, 76.1'8 tons, 153}, 9,8, 170}; Waimate West Demonstration Farm, 76.5 tons, 152}, 8,8, 168}; Stoddart Bros., Manaia, 71.12, 143, 9}, 8, 160}; G. Preece jun., Okaiawa, 65.7 tons, 130}, 6,8, 144}; F. G. Cox and Sons, Okaiawa, 67.11 tons, 135, 9,8, 152; G. Oldfield, Okaiawa, 55.2 tons, 110, 7,7, 124; H. Feathers, 44.2, 88, 7, 7}, 102. Swedes. —M. Claluna, Okaiawa, 28.8 tons, 561, 5,4, 65}; D. Cameron, Okaiawa, 27.6 tons, 54}, 6,5, 65}.