FIELD PRODUCE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXI, Issue 1450, 10 March 1931, Page 2

FIELD PRODUCE

AT LAST WEEK'S SHOW. FIXE EXHIBIT OP MAIZE.' | The extent to which Cambridge district farmers pin their faith to topdressing nowadays in preference to the more laborious and costly method of providing for winter fodder with root crops, was indicated by the poor support accorded the field produce section at last week's show. The section included nine classes, the largest number of entries in any one of them being six in the class, "maize, three stalks, suitable for fodder." That the district is capable of growing root crops to perfection, with the help of suitable manures, was demonstrated by those entries sent in, especially the maize exhibits. They wore well over 6ft in .height and the stalks solid, with plenty of foliage. Although root cropgrowing is not nearly so popular in the district, as it was a -few years ago, there are still a number of farmers who go in for a small acreage as subsidiary fodder and it.is a pity they do not support the field produce section at the annual show. Although the entries wore few in numbers the exhibits of carrots, turnips and mangels were very good, Mr A. W. Martin being a very successful exhibitor. Farmers nowadays find top-dressing more profitable and less laborious, but there is no denying the fact that every j farmer should grow a few roots. They I provide a change in fodder that is i greatly relished by the cattle and help the dairy cows to face a trying period just at the beginning of the now season. ! Maize always grows well in -Cambridge, but crops seem to have done ■ particularly well this season, and there are several splendid crops, with plants fully eight feet in height, to be seen about the country-side.