FIELD COMPETITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1930, Page 7

FIELD COMPETITIONS

NORTH TARANAKI ACTIVITY HAY AND ENSILAGE JUDGING. KEEN INTEREST BY FARMERS Judging of the hay and ensilage competitions in North Taranaki were advanced a further stage during the past day or two, Messrs J. M. Smith and C. Haynes, of the fields division of the Agricultural Department, having adjudicated on the entries at Huirangi and Hillsborough. RESULTS AT HUIRANGI. At Huirangi on Monday the judges were followed by a large number of observers and free discussions on various aspects of the competitions were encouraged, with the result that the outing was a profitable one for the farmers. The beet ensilage stack was adjudged to be that of Mr. L. Beaven, who secured 91| points out of 160. Half a point behind were Messrs J. C. Poletti and Mace and Son. The only pit ensilage inspected for the competition belonged to Mr. B. Budden. There was a tie in the competition for hay, Messrs W. Hall and F. Smith each scoring 92J points. For condition they were awarded equal marks; Mr. Hall was one ahead for quality and Mr. Smith was one ahead for building. There were good entries of both hay and ensilage and generally speaking the quality was very even. Luncheon was served in the Huirangi Hall by Mesdames W. Hall, H. Mace, A. Mace ind H. Arms. Speaking at the conclusion of the luncheon, Mr. Hall emphasised the educational value of the field competitions and expressed the hope that'there would be a interest in the movement throughout the district. The competitions were undoubtedly of great benefit to the farmers and gave them opportunities of visiting other farms and comparing their root crops and their hay and ensilage. Those responsible for the organisation of the competitions deserved great credit. . Farmers-through-out Taranaki were indebted to Mr. Smith and other officers' of the. Department of Agriculture for ’.the' interest shown in the welfare of the farming community. Details of. the competitions are:—

A HUGE STACK INSPECTED.

. At Hillsborough yesterday'afternoon, despite the bitterly cold wind,’ there was another large following of farmers,, a particularly pleasing feature being the number of young farmers present. Additional interest was lent the gathering by the presence of Messrs W. J. McCulloch, supervisor of the Fields Division, and W. Davies, plant geneticirL They were greatly interested in all they saw. They were introduced to the gathering by Mr. J. M. Smith, and some interesting discussions took place, leaving no doubt of the educational value of such competitions. During the afternoon ten entries were judged—four ensilage stacks, three ensilage hillside, stacks, one concrete silo and two hay stacks.

In stack ensilage L. A. Marsh topped the list, scoring 91 points. The quality of his ensilage was very high, losing only two points and eclipsing any stack judged during the past two days. This etack, too, was easily the biggest judged so far, its length being 99 feet and its width 39 -feet. It contained over 359 tons of ensilage cut from 46 acres. A feature was the cover of this stack which, instead of the usual heavy coating of earth, was covered with very heavy boulders. By means of a ramp the material was drawn direct on to this stack by horses and waggons instead of the ordinary sweep and hoist being used, and a . horse was employed to tramp it down. Three hillside stacks were judged, Sorenson Bros, heading the list with 99 points, a point ahead of H; C. Sampson’s No. 1 stack. The one concrete silo judged was a very fine sample exhibited by Mr. E. C. Locke. It scored 94 points, two points less than the highest one so far, that of Mr. P. A. Openshaw, Lepperton. Two stacks of hay came under the judges’ observation, Mr. E. C. Locke heading the list with a total of 87 points. During the afternoon the party was entertained at afternoon tea by the ladies of the district at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. H. C; Sampson. Mr. C. H. Sorenson expressed appreciation of their hospitality and they were accorded a vote of thanks. . Details of the judging arer —

The annual field day which takes place at Okatb to-day is creating very keen interest, not only in the coastal district but throughout North Taranaki and in parts of South Taranaki, and it is expected that there will be a record attendance. The party will assemble at the Hempton Hall, Okato, and, starting from there at 10.39 aim., Messrs J. M. Smith and C. Haynes will adjudicate on several’ entries in • tho morning. A return will be made to the Hempton Hall at noon for lunch, after which the judging will be continued.

ENSILAGE. . Stacks. t*. <D s ■ - • O’ ’ > IQ . C3 01 tsL. Beaven ...'. 56 134 22 914 J. C. Polett-i . 55 14 22 91 Mace and Son 55 ’ 14 22 91 P. Honnor -... 554 13 22 904 W. Hall ...... 55 131 21 ' 894 H. J. .Major.... 54 134. 21| . 8.9 H. E. Loveridge, No. 2 53 13 22 88 P. H. E. -Surrey, No 2 54 124 . 214 88 H. E. Loveridge, . No. -1 • 54 12 21 87 P. H. E. Surrey, No 1 53 13 21 87 " D. Cameron, No. 2 52 12 20 84 . F. Smith 5'0 13 20 83 « B. Budden .... 51 12 20 83 D. Cameron No. 1 48 13 19 80 Earth Pit. s J? 0 ui a aS-QI § ' O s —'' <y O B. Budden .... 62 8 16 86 ; /. HAY. a a bD ’ It >» .s >t5 g rj IQ §<N s *>.. r-H ■ o* o H , W. Hall 53 18 4 21 924 F. Smith .... 52 184 22 92| L. A. Jury .... 51 164 21 88| D. Cameron ... 51 18 19 ■ 88 ■L. Thatcher .... 50 16 21 87

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