Ploughing Match

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 June 1915, Page 2

Ploughing Match

fr WERAHOA EXPERIMENTAL FARM. Yesterday's ploughing match at the Weraroa Experimental Farm was peiv haps the first event of this kind ever held in this district, but judging by the interest evinced in it it is not likely to be the last. Considering the short notice that was given of the match the number of people present was distinctly encouraging. Other tilings that militated against a large attendance were the stock sales, and the threatening state of the weather. Given more publicity, a tine day. and. if possible, a ■Wednesday afternoon, there is not the slightest doubt ljut that the nuniTier present yesterday would be exceedon largely. The competitors in the match ivwc live lads-4earnerß on the far in. Tli'eir ages ranged from fifteen, tii seventeen years. Four of them have been on the farm only aßout live months, and seeing, that Hiey were without any previous experience, the ploughing done yesterday was ample evidence of the lads' aptitude for such ■■work, and of the excellent training they receive on the farm. In view of this it is satisfactory to know .the Department is about to inoreaee the accommodation for learners on the farm. Among those present yesterday were Mr J. Duncan, director of the Departmental Experimental Farms, and Mr Hooper, also of the Agricultural Department. Each competitor had to plough close on an acre, a. good test, and the match resulted as follows:— Jiest ploughed lot—W. W. Thompson, 15 years of age, five months on the farm, no previous experience of farm work, 1; Harry I'ryor, 16 years of age, five months on the farm, no previous experience ot tarm work, 2; William Dale, 16 years ot age, five months on the no previous experience of farm work, 3; James Tolley, 17 years of age, eight mouths on tho farm, slight previous experience of far-in 'work, -1; G. Smith, 15 years of age, five months on the .tarin, no previous experience of farm work o. Best "ins and outs" (that is Jetting the plough into the ground at the commencement of tho furrow and lifting it out at the finish) :—"\Y. \V ; . Thompson 1, Harry I'ryor 2, G. Smith 3, J. Tolley 4, W. Dale 5. Straightest ploughed lot: W. NY. Thompson 1, W. Dale '2,, Harry Pry or 3, G. Smith 4, J. Tolley o. Tile judges were Mr J. l>rysdalo and Mr E. Law, of Shannon, and at the conclusion Mr Law briefly said that Pjryor was the youngest and smallest ol tho competitors and deserved great credit for the way in which he 'handled his team. Some of lads worked undeudifficulties regarding the teams, and taken all round the work was clone verywell. (He contended that the farmei-fi of the district should hold a ploughing nmtch every year. In would ibe benecial" that it would teach tho young people to plough, and also would teach them to bo kind to their horses. The man who did not taeat hie horses kindly Hi a ploughing match had little chance of winning, and soon found out that it did not pay. As well as the ploughing unatch the lads were entered by the tarm manager (Mr James Drysdale) for another coinpetition, "the (best-looking ploughman." Misses K. Fuller and E. Harvey were the judges and after "oTu'e inspection awarded the ribbon to 'Harry Pryor and placed 3". Tolley second. .Excellent refreshments were provided by Mrs J. W. Procter, assisted iby Mrs W. JBroughton. Tho department's photographer was present and took a full series of views of the whole piweodinge with the ordinary camera and also with the cinematograph camera. Learners W. W. Thompson and G. Smith have been entered for the milktesting convpetiion at the Palraereton winter ehaw.