DECLINE IN ENTRIES

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1935, Page 5 (Supplement)

DECLINE IN ENTRIES

GROWING OF ROOT CROPS WORST FOR PAST TEN YEARS. BOYS AND GIRLS’ CLUB EVENTS. SOUTH TARANAKI COMPETITION. The lowest number of entries for the past 10 years was received for the root growing competitions of the South Taranaki Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs Association, according to the report to be presented to the annual meeting to-day. Fears that, if the rate of decline of entries in the competition continues, it will have to be abandoned, are expressed. The carrot and mangold competitions have been carried on during the season on the same lines as in the past, with plots one fortieth of an acre in area, states the report. Again it was necessary for the clubs to obtain their own supplies of seed and manure and requests for assistance met with a ready response from produce firms. The mangold seed and manure, together with the seed of one of the varieties of carrots used, were given by Messrs. Hodder and Tolley Ltd. Webstefrs Ltd, New Plymouth gave the remainder of the carrot seed, and the carrot manure was given by Newton King Ltd, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co., Ltd. and the Farmers’ Co-op. Society. These generous donations have made it possible to carry on the competitions and the clubs are indebted to the firms mentioned for their practical interest in the work. ' ' ? . . The entries this year were disappointing as they showed a continuation of the decrease noted in the previous season and the total was the lowest during the past 10 years. Undoubtedly there is now much less cropping done in South Taranaki than was the case 10 years ago, and this, together with the fact that there are now four districts where there is much interest in the farmers’ root crop competitions, accounts for some of the falling off of the entries. It is also likely that the great increase in entries in the calf rearing competitions has had an adverse effect on the root growing, as many children are not able to carry out both. Whatever v the reason may be the fact must be faced that the entries are far too few for the area covered and a continuation of the present rate of decrease will mean that the competition will soon have to be abandoned. There has also been a further reduction in the percentage of plots judged, but this is considered to .be a direct result of the unfavourable weather in . the early season. , The following figures enable comparisons to be madd of the last three seasons:—

The season was characterised by long spells of dry weather in the period from November to February. Crops sown early came away quickly while with the later sown crops considerable difficulty was experienced in securing a good strike. Resowing became necessary and was also often a failure. These difficulties were most apparent with the carrot crops. With the mangold crops the main difficulty arose where transplanting was necessary and crops where much of this had to be done were not good. As far as subsequent growth was concerned the hot, dry summer, was more suitable for the mangolds than for the carrots and this is clearly ' shown in the average yield obtained. The figures quoted in the last of the above tables showing the low percentage of carrot plots judged are a reflection of the unfavourable weather, particularly in the early stages of growth. The autumn with warm days and ample rainfall was very favourable to growth and crops came ahead remarkably well at the latter part of the season. VARIETIES AND YIELDS.

For the carrot plots a variety trial was again chosen, one half of each plot being sown with Webster’s Matchless White and the other half with Guerande. The drills were 18 inches apart and the Guerande carrots were not thinned. The results were rather disappointing, the yields from the Matchless White variety averaging nine tons less per acre than in the previous season when two of the crops of this variety gave the wonderful yields of 110 tons and 104 tons per acre. The quality of the carrots was also poor. The Guerandes did quite well but were inclined to rot out where the soil was heavy. The average yields from the 34 plots weighed were 42 tons 12cwt per acre for the Matchless White and 50 tons llcwt per acre for the Guerande. The average over both varieties was 46 tons llcwt per acre. The heaviest crop in each variety was grown by Ron Turner (Riverlea) who secured the splendid yields of 86 tons 12cwt for the Matchless > White and 92 tons scwt for the Guerande. This latter figure was the highest yet obtained for this variety.

With the mangolds, it was decided to repeat the experiment carried out in the previous season, that is, a comparison of the yields from 22 inch and 18 inch drills. One half of each plot was sown with 11 rows at 18 inches apart and the other half of the plot with nine rows at 22 inches apart. The variety used was Tui Prizewinner Yellow Globe. The results from the 34 plots judged-showed the average yield for the 22 inch drills of 81 tons 7cwt and for 18 inch drills 86 tons 13cwt per acre. These yields show an average of 5 tons 6cwt per acre in favour of the 18 inch drills and support the result of the previous year when the difference was 3 tons 2cwt per acre. The average yield over both halves of the plot works out at 84 tons per acre. This is an exceptionally fine result as it exceeds by over 10 tons per acre the previous record average of 73 tons 18cwt. per acre established in the 1932-33 season. The heaviest crop was that grown by John Lister (Toko) which gave the wonderful yield of 179 tons 15cwt per acre. The yield from the half plot sown

with 18 inch drills was 196 tons 6cwt per acre, the heaviest yet recorded. The fertiliser used for the carrot crops was a mixture supplied by Messrs. Newton King Ltd, Farmers’ Co-op. and the Loan and Mercantile and was applied at the rate of 4cwt per acre. The mangold plots were manured at the rate of Bcwt per acre with the Tui. root manure supplied by Messrs. Hodder and Tolley Ltd. The average marks secured for cultivation were higher than usual, probably a result of the difficult season entirely eliminating many of those who would normally present crops with the cultivation below the desired standard. Once again the necessity for early preparation of the soil has been made most apparent as it is a fact that most of those who failed to establish a crop had left the preparation of the soil until the arrival of the seed and manure. The crops grown in land 'that was broken up early and that had the turf or other vegetation as well as any farmyard manure thoroughly decayed, were able to stand up to the drought conditions quite well. Those who have commenced the preparation of the soil by early September consistently obtain the best results. Improvement in the thinning out of the crops, particularly of the mangolds, has been a pleasing feature. The champion mangold plot provided an object lesson in correct spacing of the plants. Ray Brown (Mahoe) is thoroughly deserving of the award for the best kept plot.

The rot previously noted when the

Guerande carrots were grown, was again apparent in the variety, especially in those plots where the soil was heavy and considerable quantities of stockyard manure had been used. The continued wet weather prior to the judging was the main cause. In the case of the mangolds the conclusion was formed that the heart rot that has been steadily increasing in the past few years was not nearly as prevalent. However, the prevailing weather conditions in the mid-season appear to have encouraged the leaf fungus, botrytis cinera, and for a while a number of the plots were so severly attacked with the disease that green leaves were almost entirely absent. Quick recovery appears to be made with the approach of the cooler weather in the autumn. The type of record chart, adversely commented upon last year, was again in use. A much needed improvement in the keeping of these records has been apparent and the average chart marks has been raised from 15.08 last year to 17.9 this year (possible 20). Notwithstanding this, it is felt that an effort is still required in the direction of securing an improvement in the form used for the chart. This year the tests conducted at judging time were not held. The usual display and competition exhibits were made at the South Taranaki winter show. The poor quality of the crops was reflected in many of the roots sent in for display and the exhibit was for this reason below the standard of the past few years.

Some of the figures mentioned in this report have been summarised for the purpose of comparison. Plots Average Heaviest Plots Average Heaviest Judged Yield Crop Judged liel * , Crop Carrots. Mangolds.

CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS Carrots.— Champion: Ron Turner (Riverlea) 155 J pointe. Runner-up, Jean Williams (Meremere), 134. Mangolds:—Champion: John Lister (Toko) 2392. Runner-up: Peggy Loving <Hui»ga> 2021. CARROTS. Group 1: Ararata, Meremere, Ohangai, Hawera, Tawhiti, Normanby, Okaiawa, Whareroa. DETAILED RESULTS Carrots.

CO CO CO WWW CO M co co cp www S W N - CO co CO co co co Ipte Co to . WWW cn co “““Season. gSSeason. w co U1 woo No. of entries. y g « No schools U K SNo. of entries. O W'Vl w w m *pk. O) to No. judged. ti m to No. of entries. © WQ1 g. cn cj No. of mango! CH 3 O CH CO ip*. Percentage judged. „ Percentage of 3 S w P1 °ts per school. © h h mangolds. O> *4 O cn o h No. of entries. CO »£*-. OO OO © tvt • j j <„ oo-Plots judged. No. judged. oo >». H ci m o No. of carrots. UX O -4 Percentage of tjl O> OO r*o po co co cn Cn Percentage judged. S S Percentage judged. OO CO , carrots. ’ co CO

19331934- .. 89 .. 48 .. 34 T C 41 18 48 9 46 11 T 67 100 89 C 16 19 8 62 36 34 T 73 72 84 C 18 3 T 158 136 179 5 17 15 AVERAGES FOR GROUPS Group Matchless Guerande Av. White 22in drills 18in drills Average 1 47 10 58 2 52 16 77 1 83 78 7 80 4 2 39 13 48 3 43 18 74 5 11 76 8 3 41 17 47 14 44 15 103 2 108 7 105 14

Matchess White Guerande Averge Pts Cult. Qual..Chart T1 ararataFlora Roberts .... T C ... 41 1 T C 66 13 T C 56 17 Weight 40 56f 37 10 7$ 20 16$ 117f MEREMERE— Billy Gardner .... ... 27 6 36 7 31 6 31$ 38 6$ 20 95f ' Betty Williams ... 54 16 68 18 61 17 61| 40 7 18$ 127$ ... 61 17 74 5 68 1 68 40 7 19 134 Audrey Williams ... 45 19 40 13 43 6 43$ 32 6 . ■— 81$ Bryce Williams ... 47 16 49 19 48 17 48$ 32 6 —• 86$ I ■ 1051 'OHANGAI— ... 65 8 56 11 60 19 60$ 38 7 ■ normanby— ... 41 12 61 1 51 6 51$ 38 « 16 Uli OKAIAWA— Ken Shearer ... 36 69 8 52 14 52$ 38 7$ 19$ 117$ Winners: Jean Williams (Meremere) 134 points, Betty Williams (Meremere) 127$, Flora Roberts (Ararata) 117$. Group 2: Manaia, Otakeho, Auroa, Pihama, Riverlea, Kaponga, Kaponga Convent, Mangamingi, Mata, Matapu, Oeo. MANAIA— Selwyn ..... ... 22 16 21 4 22 22 30 6 16 74 nit ... 49 19. 47 14 48 16 48$ ' 38 7 18 RIVERLEAErnest Chapman ... 22 19 27 6 25 2 25 34 6 17 82 Ron Turner ... 86 12 92 5 89 8 , 89$ 40 6$ 20 155J ... 35 7 67 3 51 5 51$ 38 7 18$ 114J Loma Rutherford KAPONGA— .. 35 7 40 13 38 0 38 34 6$ 19 97$ ' 106 Jean Arnold ... 43 1 43 1 43 1 43 38 7 18 MANGAMINGI45$. lid Marv Hardwick-Smith 38 17 53 \i 45 18 39 7 19 Erlin Pennington ... 44 16 70 14 57 15 57$ 39 7 18$ 112$ Alex Rae • ... 38 17 53 45 18 45$ 40 7 19$ 112$ Gordon Barnard. ... ... 33 11 31 16 32 13 32$ 36 6 19 93$ MATAPU— Harry Wetton 0E0- ... 42 8 60 15 51 11 51$ 37 7 17 18 112$ 90$ John Hikaka ..... ... 31 16 39 10 35 13 ' 35$ 32 5 Andrew Saywell ... 28 18 25 14 27 6 27$ 33 5$ 20 851 Winners: Ron Turner (Riverlea) 155!? points 1, Erlin Pennington (Mangamingi) 122$ 2, Ruby Dew (Riverlea) 114$ 3. Group 3: Ngaere, Stratford, Mahoe, Cardiff, Midhirst, Stanley, Toko, Huinga. MAHOERay Brown .. 53 46 18 49 19 49$ 40 7$ 17$ 1141 Don Woods .. 46 6 58 16 52 11 52$ 39 7 17$ 116 Stan Shrimpton ... STRATFORD- .. 42 8 54 16 48 12 48$ 38 6$ 17$ 16$ 110$ 116$ Oswald Jordan .. 46 18 62 13 54 15 54$ 38 7 MIDHIRSTJeffrey Running ... STANLEY— .. 27 6 25 1 , 26 3 26 39 7 19 91 100 Clarence Copper ... HUINGA .. 35 7 40 13 38 38 39 7 Ifi 104$ Henry Groshinski .. 34 1 47 14 40 17 40$ 39 6$ 18$ Birdie Groshinski .< .. 33 11 28 5 30 18 40$ 34 6$ 18$ 89$ .. 56 11 45 50 15 50$ 40 7 19$ 117$ Joyce White ........ .. 62 10 71 66 15 66$ 39 7 17 1295 ..23 9 45 34 4 34 38 6 19 97 Winners: Joyce White (Huinga) 129$ points 1, Leslie Gooch (Huinga) 117$ 2, Oswald Jordan (Stratford) 116$ 3. / MANGOLDS Group 1: Ararata, Meremere, Ohangai, Hawera, Tawhiti, Normanby Okaiawa, Whareroa. 22in . 18in Averge Pts Cult. Qual. Chart TL ARARATA— T C T C T C Weight 40 10 20 105$ Courtney Edgecombe .. 47 11 47 1 47 6 47$ 36 7 15 19 Fred Edgecombe .... .. 68 15 84 4 76 9 76$ 38 7 140$ .. 38 11 78 2 58 6 58$ 34 7 — Haig Joblin .. 50 2 63 19 57 57 35 7 — 99 \ . 91 156$ Billy Williams .. 84 4 98 91 2 40 7 18$ Alex Wallace ...... .. 108 101 16 104 18 104$ 40 7 19$ 171$ Henry Davison ..... .. 112 10 144 19 128 14 128$ 38 8 17$ 192 Ruby Davison .... OHANGAI- .. 93 4 122 2 107 3 107 36 8 7$ 17 168 .. 79 14 70 44 75 4 75 38 120 J HAWERA37 16$ 121 Gerald Swinbum . .. 60 15 59 12 60 3 60 7$ Arthur Bernard .... NORMANBY- .. 57 4 59 12 53 8 58$ 39 7$ 16 120$ 134$ Roberta Burton .... .. 70 14 78 15 74 14 74$ 36 7 17 .. 104 9 85 10 94 19 94$ 39 8 18 159$ WHAREROA— 15 147$ .. 103 10 73 2 88, 6 88$ 36 8 Winners of Group 1 were Henry Davison (Meremere) 192 points 1, Alex Wailace (Meremere) 171$ 2, Ruby Davison (Meremere) L68 3. Group 2: Manaia. Otakeho, Auroa, Pihama, Riverlea, Kaponga, Kaponga Con-. vent, Mangamingi, Mata, Matapu, Oeo. MANAIA— 17 122$ .. 53 72 19 62 9 62$ 36 7 AUROA.151$ John Langlands .. 81 19 97 1 89 10 89$ 36 8 18 Campbell Langlands .. 84 17 83 5 84 1 84 38 7$ 16 145$ Norman Langlands .. PIHAMA— .. 83 11 75 1 79 6 79$ 36 7$ 1221 152 Keith Julian KAPONGA— .. 80 7 99 89 13 89$ 39 6$ 17 17$ 163$ George Gordge .... ..’86 15 109 Hi 98 3 98 40 8 .. 57 17 56 17 57 7 57$ 35 7 17 116$ Tom Abbott MANGAMINGI- .. 59 9 67 16 63 12 63$ 38 8$ 18 128 163? Maurice Pennington MATA— .. 106 1 95 9 100 15 100$ 39 7 17 168$ Andrew Slater .. 99 12 108 5 103 18 103$ 38 6$ 20 Albert Tipler . 72 6 ■ 58 6 65 6 65$ 38 6$ 19$ 129$ Ron Tipler /.. MATAPU- .. 32 2 43 1 37 11 37$ 38 6$ 18 100 119$ Harry Wetton ... 67 10 54 16 61 3 61 35 6$ 17 Winners of Group 2 were Andrew Slater (Mata) 168$ points 1, Maurice Pennington (Mangamingi) 163$ 2, George Gordge (Kaponga) 163$ 3. Group 3: Ngaere, Stratford, Mahoe, Cardiff, Midhirst, Stanley, Toko, Huinga. NGAERE— 131$ .. 65 17 67 3 66 10 661 40 7 18 Peggy Pennington .. 75 10 58 16 67 3 67 40 7 18$ 132$ TOKO— John Lister HUINGA— ..163 4 196 6 179 15 179$ 40 5 15 239$ Jim Kaye • • .. 109 5 143 126 2 , 126 40 5$ 19 190$ Tom Kingan .. 94 16 69 18 82 7 82$ 40 6 18 146$ Peggy Loving .. 128 19 144 19 136 19 136? 40 6 19$ 202$ Peter Cook . 84 4 78 8 81 6 81$ 39$ 6$ 19 146$ Winners of Group 3 were John Lister (Toko) 239$ 1, Peggy Loving (Huinga) 202J 2, Jim Kaye (Huinga) 190J 3.