STANDARDIZATION OF RULES FOR JUDGING SHOW FRUIT.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XV, Issue 3, 20 September 1917, Page 159

STANDARDIZATION OF RULES FOR JUDGING SHOW FRUIT.

J. A. CAMPBELL,

Assistant Director, Horticulture Division

It is quite understood that in all competitive exhibitions, such as agricultural and horticultural shows, the fortune of competitors is largely in the hands of the judge. To some extent this is quite as it should be, as judges are invariably selected on their knowledge and experience in the particular classes they are called upon to adjudicate, and as experts they should be fully competent to arrive at just decisions. ' . ■

It is also recognized, however, that an expert may, and very often has, very strong and set opinions with reference to his particular line, and when officiating as a judge these opinions, no matter how sound they may be, may, if left unchecked, detrimentally affect his decision. That is to say, any important feature of the display, if not limited by standard rules for judging, may dominate all others, and a decision be given by a judge that is quite contrary to the wishes of the society for which he is acting.

Instances of this have been only too numerous in the past in connection with fruit shows. In fact, the apparent inconsistency or lack of uniformity among fruit judges has been responsible for many enthusiastic exhibitors cooling off and eventually dropping the show business altogether ; while many others have resorted to the expedient of making more than one entry to a class when competing under a judge of whom they have had no previous experience.

These remarks are not intended to reflect on the competency of past judges, but upon the system, or lack of system, on which they were working. A judge must carry out his work according to his own ideas, and so long as ideas differ and remain unrestricted by standard rules, so must judgments continue to be inconsistent and otherwise unsatisfactorv.

This matter was taken up by the annual conference of - the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, held at Dunedin .in May last, and a committee of growers representing the various districts was appointed to go into the matter with a view to submitting a scheme to the Federation’s executive for consideration. The report of the committeeon which the writer was invited to act—included

the proposals set out below, which were approved by the executive as a commencement toward a thorough system of standardization. As such, the Federation strongly recommends their adoption by all agricultural and horticultural societies throughout the Dominion. .

NEW ZEALAND FRUITGROWERS’ FEDERATION (LIMITED) STANDARD RULES FOR JUDGING SHOW FRUITS.

Apples to be divided into two classes, dessert and culinary, but approved dessert varieties may be allowed to compete in the culinary class. Both classes to be divided into two types—commercial and exhibition.

DESSERT APPLES.

Size. —With a margin of Jin. above and below, the sizes named against the various dessert apples of each class in list below are the standard sizes arranged.

COOKING-APPLES.

Size.- —With a margin of J in. above and below the size named for exhibition class, and | in. above and below the size named for commercial class of the various cooking-apples, in list below, are the standard sizes arranged.

DIRECTIONS FOR SCORING.

Naming.— Misnaming in plate and single-case entries disqualifes the entry. Collection and case entries will lose two points for each fault.

Size.— The standard size includes the margin of allowance above and below measurement as stated. Measurements within the margin limits will be allotted full points, but, all other score being equal, the determining factor will be the entry measuring nearest the actual ‘centre of standard size arranged. -. Two points to be sacrificed for every in. above or below the standard limits.

Condition. — In judging for condition consideration is to be given to the purpose of the fruit at time of judging. In explanation: The aim for a plate of dessert apples or pears should be prime condition for dessert purposes when being judged, and points awarded accordingly. . ■ -

Fruit for local market : The show-bench at time of judging should be treated as the market.

Fruit for export : The condition in which the - fruit should arrive at its destination six weeks later.

Staging.— Pleasing effect attained in displaying the fruit.

Market Value.- —The popularity of the variety on the New Zealand markets, together with the condition, of the fruit exhibited, to be the standard of value for allotting points.

Exhibition. Commercial. Exhibition. Inches. Commercial. Inches. Inches. Inches. Beauty of Bath . . Exhibition. Commercial. 31 . London Pippin '.. Exhibition. Commercial. Inches. 31 . 2} Inches. Inches. London Pippin . •• 31 ' Inches. 3t 3 3 Cleopatra .. 31 Red Astrachan • • 31 3 Cox’s Orange Pippin 31 2| Rome Beauty .... 31 , 3 Delicious .. ' • • 31 2f Scarlet Pearmain ■ ■ 3 21 . Dougherty ‘ 3 2f ■ Statesman .. •• 31 21 Dunn’s (Munroe’s) Favourite al 3 Stunner.. ... 31 • - 2| Golden Pippin ... • • 31 2f . Worcester Pearmain •• 31 21 ' Gravenstein .... .. 31 21 Yellow Newtown Pippin • 31 ' 21 Jonathan ' ■ .-. • ■ 31 21

The following is the list of varieties of dessert apples recommended for planting for various purposes by the recent Varieties Conference and standardized by the Federation for show purposes :-

Exhibition. Commercial. Exhibition. Inches. . 'Inches. Commercial. Commercial Inches. Inches. Exhibition. Inches. Inches. Commercial Inches. Inches. Adams .. .. 3zf King of the Pippin 31 24 Arlington 31 zl McLiv.er’s Winesap McLiv.er’s Winesap 3 3 .2? .zf American Golden Russet 3 ' - 2'1 ; Northern Spy • • 31 3 American Horn ... 3 ■ Zf Farlin’s Beauty .. • • 31 3 Boston Russet .. 31 21 Pioneer ... . . Pioneer . . 31 • • zj- • 21 Brownlee’s Russet 31 21 Premier . . •• 31 21 Carlton . . .. 31 zf Ribs ton Pippin . . '■■ ■ 31 2# Charles Ross .'. • •• 3t. ; 21 zl Rokewood Rokewood 3 ■ • '3 2f zf Commerce 3 . 2 f Salome . . .. ' ■ ' 31 . zi -■ Cornish Aromatic .. 31 21 ' Scarlet Queen .. •• 31 zf Duke of Clarence. . 31 3 ■ Scarlet Nonpareil.. • • • 3 . zf Democrat - - .. 3 ■ -■ • • 3 s 3 3 . Senator .. Senator . . ■ • • 31 31 zf . 2f Esopus Spitzenburg 31 3 Stark 31 zf - Edward Lippiatt . . ' • • 31 21 . Shepherd’s Perfection 31 21 Frimley Beauty .. Stayman’s Winesap 31 zf Frimley Beauty '.. 31 3- 3 3 Stayman’s Winesap • • 31 3 Gem .. .. • • 31 ■ ■ 21 2 1 William Anderson William Anderson 3 3 2 7 . zf Golden Reinette .-. ■ 31 21 Willie Sharp .. ' . • ■ 31 2 1 King David 31 • ■ 21 zl

The following dessert apples are not included in the approved list, and are not recommended for planting : -

Exhibition. Commercial. 1 Exhibition. Inches. Commercial. Inches. . ' Inches. Inches. - Alfriston ■• • . 31 31 ’ Lord Suffield . .. 31 ■ 31. Ballarat.. • • 31 31 Lord Wolseley .. , '.. • 31 3 Dunn’s (Munroe’s) Favourite 3 J 31 Reinette du Canada ’ • , • 31 .31 ' London Pippin .. • •• 31 31 Sturmer..- .. ... .31 31

The following is the list of varieties of cooking-apples recommended for planting by the recent Varieties Conference and standardized by the federation for show purposes : —

Exhibition. Inches. Commercial. Inches. Exhibition. Inches. Commercial Inches. Blenheim Orange • ■ ■ 31 ' 3 Pride of Australia .. . 31 • 3 ' Commerce 31 3 Prince Alfred ■ • 31 31 ■ Dumelow’s. .. ■. ... 31 3 Premier .. ... . • • 31 * 31 ■ Emperor Alexander 31 31 Rhode Island Greening •• 31 . 3 French Crab 31 ■ 3 ' Rokewood ..■ - • 31 3 Gloria Mundi •• 31 31 Rymer .. ' .. 31 "3 Hoover .. .. •• 31 3 Springdale 3-1 3 John Bull . .. .31 3 Stone Pippin ... • • 31 3 Mobbs’s Royal .. 3< • 31 Sharpe’s Late Red 31 31 Northern Spy' 31 31 ■ Washington .. • • 31 ' 31 Barlin’s Beauty .. 3-1 31 .Yellow Belle Fleur .. 31 3 ■ Pioneer .. ... ... 31 31

The following cooking-apples, although standardized for show purposes, are not included in the approved list: —

2 Points. Points. Size and uniformity . . Points. . . 20 Size and uniformity - . .. • Points. • • 25 Typical form . . .. ' IO Typical form . . .. IO Flavour and condition . . • • 30. Condition and cooking-quality • • .. 30 Colour . . . . • • 25 • Colour . . ... . . 20 Freedom from blemish. . ■ ■ 15 Freedom from blemish . . Freedom from blemish . . 15 • • 15 100 IOO Condition : Misnaming will disqualify. Condition : Misnaming will disqualify. Apples, Collection of Plates— Dessert. Apples, Collection of Plates—Cooking. Correct naming ■■ 5 Correct naming ' . 5 Size and uniformity .. ..' IO Size and uniformity . ■ 15 Typical form . . . . 5 ■ Typical form and colour • • 15 Flavour and condition . . • • 25 Condition and cooking-quality • • 25 Colour .. .. 20 Market value . ... . .. • 25 Market value . . .. . . 20 . Freedom from blemish ... ' .. 10 Freedom from blemish. . . ■ .. 10 . Staging of exhibit 5 Staging of exhibit . . 5 — 100 100 Condition : Misnaming will lose two Condition : Misnaming will lose two points for each fault. points for each fault. . .

SCORE-CARDS. Apples, Single Plate Lots —Dessert. Apples, Single Plate Lots —Cooking.

Typical form and size . . ;. .. .. . .' .. > Points. . . IO Storage, transportation, and market value ' .. . . 20 Colour, quality, and freedom from blemish . . ... ... . . 20 Uniformity of grade . . . . .. .... . . . 20 Correct .. .. .. ... .. ... ■ • • 15 Alignment .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ■ . . IO General appearance of packing (label optional) .. ... 5 Condition. -Misnaming will lose two points for each fault. IOO

Case Apples.

Points. Points. Quality and flavour Points.Points. 20 Typical form . . . . 10 Typical form . . . . . . io . ■ Storage, transportation, and market .20 Freedom from blemish. .. • • 15 value ;. - . . . . Market value . . 20 Colour, condition, and quality 20 Colour and condition . . 20 Uniformity of grade . .. 20 Uniformity .. . . • • 15 Correct height . . . . . . 15 — , Alignment .. ■ 10 100 General appearance and packing (label optional) .. .. 5 100 Condition : Misnaming will disqualify. Condition : Misnaming will lose two points for each fault. two

Pears: Plates and Collection. Pears: Cases.