WIDE VARIETY OF ENTRIES

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1931, Page 9

WIDE VARIETY OF ENTRIES

FINE COMPETITIVE CLASSES CROPS AND VEGETABLES DISPLAY. / HANDICRAFT AND COOKERY. In most sections of the show judged yesterday there appears to be little change and the high standard of past years has been maintained. It was unfortunate that the entries in the root sections were so fqw, said Mr. J. M. Smith, one of the judges in the field root classes. The quality of the carrots all through was fairly good, particularly in .the Holmes class. The swedes were good though some exhibitors departed a little from type; still the swedes opened up remarkably well. The soft turnips were good but on account of the period of the year were inclined to be pithy. The mangold sections were rather weak though the Prizewinner class was a good one. The hay section was not strong, continued the judge, and'the quality was only average. The ensilage section was very good though the entries were, a little light. The first four placing* were of excellent quality and very hard to separate. f Considering the time of the year, the exhibits of garden vegetables 'were very creditable, said the judge, Mr. G. A. Aggett. It was the finest display he had seen in New Plymouth and the carrots were an especially fine class. The improvement in the potato classes this year was commented on by the judge, Mr. L. B. Webster, who said that tho alteration in the schedule was of decided advantage to growers. Sutton’s 26 constituted the best class .and the Sutton’s Supreme were very good, he continued. The Kidney classes were weak. A number of exhibitors select.ed coloured potatoes not admirably suited to show purposes. In the judge’s opinion there would be an improvement iir the staging of the section if more room were made available. Exhibits in the schools’ section were easily the best for number and quality ho had. seen at any show held by the Taranaki Society, Said Mr. J. A. Valentine. . The teachers of the children who had sent work deserved much credit for their care;- In his opinion the section was the most interesting in the show. Commenting on the boys’ and girls’ agricultural club display, Mr. J. M. Smith said the section compared very favourably with farmers’ exhibits. The I quality of the roots was better than

tumult nit tiiiiiuiiiiiiii nt iiiiiiiiiitituuLUiuiuuiMiiiif uni in previous years and showed better selection on the part of the children, who, he thought, were realising that quality was necessary for show purposes. The white sugar mangolds were particularly good and the Prizewinners were an even lot. In the swede section the entries were small the quality was good. Special reference to the collection of 24 varieties of apples which was awarded first prize was made by the judge of the fruit section, Mr. T. Horton. He thought the collection was probably the best he had judged in Taranaki. In the cooking class the exhibit of Prince Alfreds was good, while the Alfriston and Reinette du Canada were of sufficient quality to show that these two varieties could be grown very successfully in Taranaki. An apple with a brilliant colour, rich flavour and long keeping qualities was the Frimley Beauty, which was first raised by Air. Horton at Hastings, where he crossed the Jonathan and the Rome Beauty. This was the first time he remembered |

seeing that variety exhibited in Taranaki, remarked the judge. The artistic arrangement of two exhibits. by Mrs. Hawes in the preserved vegetable classes was specially mentioned by the judge of jams, sauces and pickles, Mrs. H. B. Lepper. The Worcester sauce class was excellent and there was not a poor exhibit. The standard of the cakes and small goods was favourably commented on by the judge, Miss M. Helyer, who said, however, that she would have liked to have seen more entries in the classes for a “variety of small cakes.” The large family and rich fruit cakes were good, as were the Christmas puddings. The shortbread was not quite up to the standard, but there were some excellent sponge cake entries. The quality of the honey displayed was excellent and the exhibits would hold their own in any competitions, remarked tho judge, Mr, P. S. Robinson. The first and second prize bottles of honey vinegar were of outstanding quality. The commercial display of pro-

ducts of the apiary while quite good lacked variety, only honey being shown. Though tho entries in the egg section were not large the winning duck and lien eggs were very good and would have done as well in keener competition, eaid the judge, Mr. Waiter Scott. The shells were of fine texture and the shape was good. The brown eggs were very uniform. Some of the eggs, however, could have been shown in better condition. “The arte and crafts section is better than last year’s,” stated a membei of the committee of the Taranaki Women’s Club which is conducting the arrangements. “Particularly interesting arc the new sections of art novelties. Among the 'new exhibits are pretty examples of eggshell mosaic, plastic, papier mache and Gesso work, and painted fabrics. The metal and embossed leather work is interesting. One of flic most effective has some fine exhibits of paper flowers.” Special mention of a mirror surrounded h, intricate barbola work was made by Mrs. Blackley, 'the judge.