GIANT PUMPKIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 89, 11 July 1944, Page 5

GIANT PUMPKIN

WHAKATANE EFFORT OPOTIKI FARMER'S DIFFICULTY In a recent issue of the BEACON there appeared an article dealing with a giant pumpkin grown from a self set seed in sandy soil on Cadness Estate by Mr E. Arnel. of Haig Street. The pumpkin weighed 45 pounds and measured 4ft. sins. in circumference. Regarding this pumpkin, which was of the Turk's Head variety, the "Opotiki News" prints the following article: — Opotiki farmers will no doubt wonder Avhat is remarkable about the above pumpkin, unless it is its small size. A 45 pound pumpkin is considered to be only a "baby" in pumpkin size. The Bay of Plenty is not noted for pumpkins of very large size; certainly nothing to compare with the monsters of round about 2001bs and over which in recent years have been shown at Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay shows. A pumpkin has to be at least 1501bs before it has the slightest chance of winning a place in the giant class at the Gisborne A. and P. Show. Even in Opotiki pumpkins can be grown around the 1001b mark and a borough resident this year grew a pumpkin weighing 901bs. A district farmer has pumpkins which are nearly three feet high and which are too heavy to carry on account of the awkward shape. These, pumpkins would be some 9 feet in circumference.

In defence of our pumpkin we would like to point out that, although it may not be in. any way outsize as regards the general run of the species, it is a giant considering it was grown from a self set seed and in very light sandy soilsoil in which even the weeds find it difficult to flourish. The article in the "News" states that a district farmer has pumpkins which are nearly three feet high and which are too heavy to carry on account of the awkward shape. We consider that this difficulty could be overcome by using a wheel barrow or a horse and dray or some other method of conveyance. In conclusion we would like to add that, in calling the pumpkin in question a giant, we meant a giant (soil and all considered) for the Bay of Plenty—not for the whole of New Zealand.