FIELD CROPS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 191, 6 April 1932, Page 6

FIELD CROPS

farm competition A. AND P. ASSN. FOSTERS a INTERESTING SCHEME EXHIBITS FOR SHOW An interesting scheme for the organisation of field crop competitions along lines which have already been successfully adopted by the Agriculture Department in other districts, has been submitted to the Rotorua A. and P. Association by the fields instructor for the Rotorua district, Mr. C. S. Dalgleish, and has received the unanimous approval of the Association. At a recent meeting, the sum of £21 was voted as a grant toward the provision of prizes and other expenses incidental to the qompetition, which will be organised in the district at an early date. Specimens from all prize winning crops will be exhibited at the forthcoming winter show. The matter was first initiated by the Rotorua and Ngongotaha branches of the Farmers' Union, which forwarded remits to the Association recommending the organisation of a scheme along lines outlined by Mr. Dalgleish and approved by the Department.

At a subsequent meeting of the Association, Mr. Dalgleish explained the outline of the scheme, and it was unanimously decided to give the proposal the Association's support. A sub-committee was set up to go into the matter, and at a meeting of the A. and P. committee, held on Monday evening, brought down a report which was adopted. Scope of Competition On Mr. Dalgleish's suggestion, it was decided to embark upon a comparatively restricted scheme for the present year and on the sub-commit-tee's recommendation the scope of the competition for the present will be restricted to root crops, hay and ensilage. Five classes will be open for competition, and are as follows: (1). Three acres of swedes the whole field to be judged. Points in judging will be allocated on weight (35 points), evenness of crop (15), quality (30), cultivation, freedom from weeds, and general care of the crop (18), accuracy in compilation of entry forms (2) total 10,0. A first prize of £5, and a second prize of £2 will be offered with an entry fee of 5s.

(2). One acre of soft turnips, the whole field to be judged. Points in judging will be allocated in the same ratio as with the swedes, and a first prize of £2, with a second prize of £1 will be offered. The entry fee in this class will be 2s. ' (3.) One stack of hay. The first prize in this class will be £3 and the second prize £1, with an entry fee of 3s. The second prize in this class has been donated by Mr. J. Steenson. (4.) Five tons of baled hay. First prize in this class £3, second prize £2. Entry fee 3s. (5). One stack, silo, or pit of ensilage. Points in judging this class will be allocated as follows: — Heibage and feeding value (30), evenness and quality (30), waste (16), covering (15), finish of stack (7), accuracy in compilation of entry forms (2), total 100.

Exhibited at Show In all competitions, 75 per cent. of the total number of points must be gained to secure a first prize, a id 50 per cent. of the total number to gain a second prize. Specimens from all prize winning crops, with other specimens as required, will be exhibited at the show, together with full particulars as to the methods used in producing the crop. The sub-committee was very much in favour of including potatoes in the competition, but after consideration, decided that it was too late in the season to include this class with success. The committee was unanimous, however, that potato growing in the district should be encouraged, as prospects in this direction were considered very promising. The question of including fodder crops was also discussed," but it was considered advisable for the present to deal with what could be classed as standard farm crops, and to first encourage improvement on these lines as far as possible. Special entry forms will be provided for the competition, on which all necessary details will be entered by the competitor. The competition is open to any settler in the Rotorua County area, and judging will be carried out by independent judges.