FARMERS’ FIELD COMPETITIONS, 1922-23 SEASON.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVII, Issue 4, 20 October 1923, Page 223

FARMERS’ FIELD COMPETITIONS, 1922-23 SEASON.

TARANAKI, WANGANUI, AND FEILDING DISTRICTS.

J. W. DEEM,

Fields Instructor.

These competitions have been continued as in previous years, fourteen localities taking part in 1922-23. The wet season was rather detrimental to good cultivation and heavy yields, conditions being so bad in some parts that no entries were made. After eliminating all failures, the following crops were judged: Mangolds, 119; carrots, 64; swedes, 63 ; soft turnips, 20; lucerne, 71 ; and maize, 5 : a total of 342. These figures mark a net increase of eleven over those of the previous year. Soft turnips fell off in entries, while lucerne showed a considerable increase.

All these crops were judged by Instructors Glasson, Schwass, and the writer. Small competitions were held in a few other centres, and the crops. judged by local judges. In most districts, as in previous years, farmers turned out in large numbers for the judgings, and took a keen interest in the proceedings. In some of the more active centres the number of young farmers who attend is very gratifying, and it is this type of enthusiast that is going to derive the greatest benefit from the competitions. In localities where the competitions have been going longest the averages of the crops continue to increase, and the better cultivation and general care are very pleasing. Taking, for example, places like Otakeho and Maxwelltown, the former, with nine crops of mangolds, had an average of 68 tons 8 cwt. per acre, and the latter, with seventeen crops, the even better average of 69 tons 18 cwt. To a lover of a good and well-cared-for crop a day spent at the judging in either of these localities was very enjoyable.

MANGOLDS.

Mr. Charles Willis, of Matapu, won the championship for south Taranaki with a crop of 84 tons 6 cwt. per acre —total points, i82|. Last year’s winner, Mr. J. Bakers, of Manaia, was second with 182 points —a very close contest. In the Wanganui district Mr. H. Birch, of Maxwelltown, won again this year with a crop of 93 tons 5 cwt. per acre, beating his' previous year’s record by 5J tons. This was an exceptionally fine crop, as shown in the accompanying photograph, and reflected great credit on the grower. In the Feilding district the best crop, 77 tons 1 cwt. per acre, was grown by Mr. W. E. Johnston, of Te Arakura. These competitors also won the Sutton Cups for the best crop of mangolds in their respective districts.

It is very pleasing to record the interest Messrs. Sutton and Sons, through their New Zealand agents, Messrs. J. G. Ward and Co., continue to take in these competitions. In addition to the three handsome cups presented last year, they have promised a fourth for the Rongotea district. These trophies have assisted greatly in stimulating interest in the movement.

Prizewinner Yellow Globe, White Sugar, and Jersey Queen are the varieties that show up best in the competitions.. From an analysis of the fourteen competitions it is found that Prizewinner constituted 58 per cent, of the crops judged, and won ten competitions and all the championships ; White Sugar constituted 9 per cent, and won' two competitions, and Jersey Queen 6 per cent, and two competitions ; while Long Red constituted 8 per cent., but again failed to win a competition. The remaining 19 per cent, was made up of mixed varieties • and a few sorts not grown extensively.

Over the whole of the competitions Prizewinner averaged 54 tons 17 cwt. per acre, White Sugar 57 tons 18 cwt., Jersey Queen 54 tons 1 cwt., and Long Red 43 tons 9 cwt. In the Feilding district Prizewinner was grown almost exclusively, and there was only one crop of White Sugar in that locality. If we exclude the Feilding figures the average weight per acre of Prizewinner is 58 tons 13 cwt.

The mangolds were grown in various-width drills, ranging. from 14 m. to 30 in. Summarizing the results, 9 per cent, of the crops were grown in 14 m. drills and secured two competitions, 15 per cent, in 21 in. drills and won one competition, 14 per cent, in 24 in. drills, 8 per cent, in 26in. drills, and 42 per cent, in 28 in. drills. All the last-mentioned three won three competitions. One crop in 18 in. drills and one in 27.in. drills each won a competition.'

These figures confirm the findings of previous yearsnamely, that on the average the best mangold crops are grown in fairly wide drills, where the cultivation can be done thoroughly by means of the horse-hoe. ■ -

The following table gives the average weights per acre of mangold crops in the Taranaki, Wanganui, and Feilding districts for the past three seasons . — 1920—21. .1921—22. 1922—23. Tons cwt. Tons cwt. Tons cwt. Taranaki ... .. 51 9 56 18 54 19 Wanganui . . > . . 44 1 56 18 65 19 Feilding . . . . 33 19 46 10 42 15

The averages over the three districts combined were —1920-21, 45 tons 8 cwt. ; 1921-22, 55 tons 1 cwt. ; 1922-23, 53 tons 12 cwt.

As in previous years, various manures have been used, and it is difficult to fix on any particular one as best. The heaviest crop in Taranaki, 84 tons 5 cwt. per acre, was grown with 4 cwt. of special mangold-manure ; in Wanganui district, 93 tons 5 cwt., with half superphosphate and half bone-meal at 4 cwt. (plus salt at 5 cwt.) per acre ; and the best crop in the Feilding district with basic super at 4 cwt. per acre. The main points appear to be a liberal dressing of phosphatic manure (a fair portion of which is readily available)) some salt or kainit/and plenty of good cultivation. 1

CARROTS.

The areas of carrots in the competitions were larger than in previous years, indicating that this root is increasing in favour each year for feeding cattle and sheep.

Matchless White is by v far the favourite variety grown, with Sinclair Champion next. . Of the total number of crops judged,

53 per cent, were Matchless White and won seven competitions, 22 per cent. Sinclair Champion and won one competition, 5 per cent. White Belgian and won two competitions. The remaining 20 per cent, consisted mainly of mixed varieties and secured only one competition.

Over all the competitions Matchless White gave an average yield per acre of 42 tons 15 cwt., Sinclair Champion an average of 38 tons 4 cwt., and White Belgian an average of 44 tons 8 cwt. A few Long Reds were grown, but they are too deep-rooted. The heaviest crop of carrots was 62 tons 3 cwt., against 64 tons 9 cwt. per acre last year. The average for all the crops in the competitions this year was 41 tons 4 cwt., against 40 tons 1 cwt. last year.

The method of sowing varies. Summarizing the results, it is found that 34 per cent, of the crops were grown in 14 in. drills, and averaged 43 tons 10 cwt. per acre, and won five competitions ; 22 per cent, in 21 in. drills averaged 45 tons 14 cwt., and won four competitions 30 per cent, in 28 m. drills averaged 34 tons 3 cwt., and won one competition. The remaining 14 per cent, were in various-width drills. A crop in 26 in. drills won one competition.

Manures used were very varied, and most mixtures applied at 3 cwt. to 4 cwt. per acre appear to. have given good results. In seeding, from 1 lb. to 1J lb. per acre gave the best returns.

SWEDES.

These, as usual, were mostly sown on the flat, either through every coulter or every second coulter of the drill, only a few farmers so far using the ridger. They did not show so much disease as last year. The main varieties grown were Superlative, Magnum Bonum, Masterpiece, Grandmaster, and a few crops of Vilmorin’s White Purple-top. The Superlative, as usual, grew heavy crops but suffered most from dry-rot, Magnum Bonum and Masterpiece being also badly affected. Grandmaster, although showing a fair amount of dry-rot in some places, furnished a number of very fine, sound crops. Vilmorin’s White Purple-top gave heavy weighings, and was only very slightly affected with dry-rot. Unfortunately, this swede forked badly and grew very deeply in the. ground, which is objectionable both for pulling and feeding-out, but even with these faults it would be largely grown if seed were available. Most of the winning crops had from 2 cwt. to 3 cwt. of manure per acre— sorts of fertilizers being used. While no particular mixture stands out, the best results were obtained from mixtures containing about half superphosphate in conjunction with a slower-acting phosphate like bone-meal, Ephos,. Nauru, or basic slag. Basic super also gave good results. The addition of nitrogen in any form does not appear beneficial. The crops averaged for Taranaki 35 tons 9 cwt., and for Feilding 29 tons 11 cwt., or an average over all of 34 tons 7 cwt., against 30 tons 4 cwt. last year.

LUCERNE.

The lucerne competitions are divided into three classes—namely, crops under twelve months old, crops over twelve months and under two years, and crops over two years old. By this arrangement

interested farmers who go round at judging-time are enabled to follow the respective crops from year to year and mark their progress and treatment. Lucerne-judging days are very popular. In going round year after year it is noticeable that most of the competitors are extending their areas. Drilling from 15 lb. to 18 lb. of Marlborough seed, with from 2 cwt. to' 3 cwt. of a phosphatic manure—super or basic slag for preferencecontinues to give the best results, the land having been previously limed at from 8 cwt. to 20 cwt. per acre.

GENERAL.

At the Hawera Winter Show. exhibits from the first, second, and third crops of most of the competitions were staged. These exhibits carried cards setting out full particulars of the variety, date sown, manure used,-and general cultural methods. It made a very fine and instructive display.