NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13455, 20 June 1907, Page 3

NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW.

(By Our Special Reporter.) MILKING MACHINES. PALMERSTON, Wednesday. An exhibit in this section which is arousing a great deal of interest is the new milking machine invented by Mr A. Ridd, of Waipuku, Taranaki. Mr Ridd, the inventor, has been dairying at Waipuku for the last fifteen yearf, and originally his herd was milked by hand, but as .he had had a long experience of milking machines he recognised that if those already on the market could be improved and perfected they would solve the labour problem for farmers. He experimented in this direction, and after thirteen years' devotion to research $ experiment and practice he evolved hfs present milking machine, and says he feels satisfied that in his invention he is offering the dairy farmer the best, simplest, and most efficiont milking machine on the market. Tho Ridd is a rapid and clean milker. The main points in the RMd patent are efficiency in extracting the milk in an expeditious manner from the cow; doing the above thoroughly and milking clean out; perfect sarfitary efficiency to secure clean milk, and facility for [cleansing parts after use; simplicity of construction so that an inexperienced person can work it with ease; and no | complicated parts to get out of order. The demonstrations with the Law-rence-Kennedy-Gillies -on the ground continue and there are also exhibitions bepng <made in the district with the Hartnett. BUTTER. Tho points scored by the Taranaki j factories not appearing in the prize-list are: — Factory butter — For best two boxes export butter: Bell Block, 92 points; Hawera, 92; Moa Farmers, 92; Mangorei, 92; Midhirst, 91*; North Taranaki, 91; Oakura, 91; Omata, 90; Pihama, 92* Stratford Farmers, 90* ; Uruti, Best two boxes export butter (novice class)— Midhirst, 91* ; North Taranaki, 91 ; Oakura, 91 ; Pihama, 92; Uruti, 92. Faotdry butter ffom bulk — Best two boxes export : Bell Block, 91* ; Hawera, 89*; Mangorei, 92* - f Pihama, 91. FRUIT. The final awards in the fruit section were for best collection of apples, six distinct varieties, 12 of each, J. Cushing (Hawke's Bay), 1 ; one case stunner pippin apples, Messrs J. Mayo and Sons (P.N.), 1; one case Washington apples, Mr J. T. Pawson (Kelvin Grove), 1 ; case any other variety, Mr T. Devonshire (Levin), 1 ; 12 pears (a.v.) Mr S. J. Gibbons,. Levin; 6 lemons gr^wn in the Wellington, Taranaki, or Hawke's Bay provinces, Mr R. C. Sturm (Clive), 1; walnuts, Mr B. H. Just (P.N.) FIELD ROOTS. The first prize winners in field roots fire Messrs W. J. Balsillie (Kairanga), Slack Bros. (Awapuni), W. J. Arundel [Patea), A. Passey (Longburn), F. Bbttcher (Rongotea), J. Kyle (Fitzherbert), 3. Malcolm (Apiti), J. Gemmel (P.N.), U Wallis (Aokautere). In the special jlass , for -shield valued at "30 guineas, presented by Mir S. W. Luxford for collection of farm roots, etc., and to conwst of red mangolds, yellow mangolds, swedes, turnips, white carrots, red carrots, kohl rabi, parsnips, and field cabbage, Messrs Slack Pros, were first, W. J. Balsillie second, and J. Kyle third. FARM PRODUCTS; For best truss of hay clover, about 281bs, Mr F. S. Mcßae (Stony Creek) «ras Ist; best truss 6f hay meadow, Mr L. Wallis (Aokautere), Ist ; best sample Bnsilage, W. Streeton (Cheltenham), Ist. FARMERS' CLASSES, SEED AND GRAIN. j Best bushel spring wheat: W- J. Ballillie, 1 ; best bushel Chevalier barley, W. J. Balsillie, 1; €ape barley, W. J. Balsillte, 1 ; Algerian oats, F. S. Mcßae, 1; Prussian blue peas, Slack Bros., 1; partridge peas; T. P. Blake, 1; field peas a.0.v., T. P. Blake,< 1. , GRASS SEEDS, FARMERS'. Italian ryegrass, J. Harrison (Pohangina), 1 ; crested dogtail, Badger Bros. [Poharigina), 1; meadow foxtail, Badger Bros., 1; true sheep fescue, Badger Bros., 1 ; meadow fescue, Badger Bros., L ; best bushel grass seed, a.o;v., J. Harrison, 1. POTATOES.^ * There were six classes for potatoes, Mr G. E. Bell (Kimbolton) securing all the Ist awards^ ' VEGETABLES. In the vegetable section Mr F. H. Owtram (P.N.) secured 4 firsts ; Mr R. C. Sturm, 2; Mr T. R. Lancaster, 4; Messrs Slack Bros., 6; Mr T. Webb, 3; H. R. Elder, 2; Messrs J..A. McLean,' J. Gloyn, E. J. Haigh, L. Wallis, one each. HOME INDUSTRIES AND PRESERVES AND PICKLES. These classes were well filled and competition keen. There were eighteen classes. PUBLIC SCHOOL GARDENS. Best collection of farm roots: Kimbolton 1, Cheltenham 2, Taonui 3. t)abbage (4 heads), Kimbolton, 1 ; carrots (4 long, Kimbolton 1, Kaiparofo 2, Taonui 3. Carrots (4 short), Kimbolton 1, Kaiparoro 2. Parsnips (four), Waikarae 1, Cheltenham 2, Taonui 3. Beets (4), No"wbury 1, Kimbolton 2. Onions (7 lbs), , Waikarae 1, Cheltenham* 2. Swedes (4), Kimbolton 1, Kaiparoro 2; any other variety, Kimbolton 1, Cheltenham 2. NATURAL HISTORY. • • Plants and insects — Collection dried grasses: Mangaweka 1, Ashhurst 2. Collection injurious New Zealand weeds: Mangaweka 1, Waikarae 2, Ashhurst 3. Collection of insects: Mangaweka 1. Open competition — Collection dried grasses, grown in Wellington, Hawke's Bay, or Taranaki district : Mangaweka 1, Kaiparoro % Collection injurious New Zealand weeds: Mangaweka 1, Kaiparoa 2. School District Farmers' competition : Kairanga 1, Cheltenham 2, Ashhurst 3. THE BUTTER EXHIBIT. Mr Cuddie, the Dairy Commissioner, states that the butter was of excellent quality in the great .majority of cases. It may be mentioned, says Mr Cuddie, that this* butter Mas put to a iqore severe test in regaid to keeping quality i>fter defrosting than has been the caso in past competitions at the National Show, it having been kept for a full veek under noimal temperatures befsire the judging took place. While a few of ihe exhibits showed a lack of freshness

it* any were clean and sound in flavour, iuid stood the storage test well. If thio can be taken as an indication of the quality of the butters of the "competitors as they open up on the Home marLets, it is nbt to be wondered at that they give satisfaction to the critie-.il trade for which we are catering. The most interesting class, of course, was ho. 3, as the exhibits were taken from i he ordinary consignments of the competitors by the show authorities over two months before being judged. It was consequently a trne sample of the av-3-i.ige make of factories. That it compared favourably with the speciallyniade butter in the other classes speaks well for the every-day work of the makers. The body and texture, as well as the packing and finish, were generally of an excellent, standard. This year there is more cheese than ever at Palmerston, and the quality is or a higher standard than that of last year. One noticeable improvement is in the cleaner and more attractive appearance of ihe exhibits, the majority of the makers appearing to have solved the question of keeping their cheese free from' mould. I?i the classos for white and coloured cheese the quality was so close for the challenge cup given for the highest points that the judges had to declare the winning exhibits in each class a ctead heat, and, as cne factory is in thr North Island and the other in the South, it speaks well for the uniformity of the system of manufacture in vogu" throughout the colony. In the classes for pairs of cheese, the quality of somr of the exhibits -was not so high. TTw principal fault was in the flavour, duf Diost probably to poox-cemtfti.-wd milk although the manufacture in most cases v. ds^ fairly uniforir. In the opinion ot Mr Cuddie, the wkoleidisplay .if dairy factory produce was mie of the finest eier seen in the colony. i COMMENTS ON EXHIBITS. CHEESE. Mr Cuddie, Dairy Commissioner, in tei viewed regarding the cheese exhibits, said the number of entries was higher this season than upon the pro vious occasion. The present exhibit was the best that had ever been seen at this show. The cheese in the majority ol cases presented a neat and clean appearance, and thfr quality was very fin«> indeed, especially in the prize winners. Some difficulty was experienced in son:*" of the exhibits, more especially in re &&rd to flavour, and no doubt this had been brought about by the class of milk i»ed for this manufacture of the cheese. The pointing as a rule was very high some of the exhibits having almost reached the' jiia.Nimu.in, which speak* vfcll for the imifoim, system adopted i>^ cheese-makers generally in the districts or tha North and South Islands. An unusual incident l took place in regard to the competition fqr the Challeui."Cup wher-3 WaikouarVi and Taratafci factories tied. entailed a great deal of \care to juds;e, and it was found that* they ootikf not be separated both having the same total in indivMial pointing The fact is more surprising seeing lhat onr factory is situated in the North Island stnd one in the South, which indicates that these far.lories are working oasimilaTr tints, and that the system adopted is. as near t«perfect as it impossible |b obtain. AN' -.OPINION. - ." Prof. Lpvrie, of Lincoln College, i>i fcerviewed, said ht» was pleased to so*; iwore space htipg given to tho farm oxlubits. Taking the display all round >i was a credit to the district. Speaking :1" the roots ho stated that for soundness some wero not so good, and for keeping purposes they would aot be on an, equality with last year. He was obliged to ?vye prizes in some cases to roots hollow in the centre This could easily b( accounted for by the warm season, which Lad a tendency to force the plants. The school exhibits were a credit to the respective schools, and in some exhibits Lhe older farmers might inke a lesson, i He noted in one instance that the exhi- j bitor was labouring under a disadvantage in not being able- to get down 'as indicated by the roots themselves. Ha could like to J aye seen, more entries in the school dial; /w£ bays; but it was only i iatural to expect that when, a vast I amount of work was entailed it was ! generally left fco the willing horses, and J if these did not t?ke up the running, well, the interest' fyould be dead. He • congratulated Kairanga on their effective and artistic display, and ventured to suggest th*i the,-deoorative skill of the ladies had been largely brought into requisition. Certainly Cheltenham had the mo&t expansive display, but the bay was not arranged quite so well. He expressed surprise at knowing that Cheltenham- had journeyed so far to be represented. A-jhhtiret was, a. very good third, fmd had every; reason to lie proud of its exhibit. He was certain that Canterbury .could not beat the display of farm roots. . « SOHtiOLS. Mr Kirk/ commenting upon the open competitions for the. schools, complimented the children on the> effectiveness of the display throughout, which, he said, waa one pf the most interesting features of tho show. He strongly urged that this class of study should be encouraged in every and at any time he would be pleased to lend his assist-l ance to the schools. The winning exhibits were well mounted, some being much/ better got up than others. A number of the exhibits were valuable collections. Some collections were poorly preserved, and were a bad display, but these he was pleased to say were in the minority. Those who wore not successful would do well to adopt the ideas of "the successful ones. A VERY LARGE ATTENDANCE. V Per Press Association. ' PALMERSTON N., June 19. The attendance at the National Dairy Show to-day was exceptionally large, and the keenest interest was manifested in the whole exhibits, but particularly in the dairying machinery, butter and cheese exhibits.' To-day the fat sheep and poultry were judged. The latter were confined to utility classes. Entries were large and competition keen. So far W. A. Sowman, G, R. Hutchinson, asd H/Holland ar.e the principal prize takers. G. R. Hutchinson (Black Orpington cockerel) has the best bird in the show. The judging is barely finished in the sheep classes, which are of exceptional quality. C. T. Keeble is the principal prize^taker. .