HOME GARDENS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 199, 15 April 1932, Page 3

HOME GARDENS

RESULTS OF A. AND P. SCHOOL CHILDREN'S COMPETITION S. DISAPPOINTING StANDARD. The results of the home garden competition for school children promoted by the Rotorua A. and P. Associat'on have been announced by the judges, Messrs. T L.indsay and J. Moule, and give first place to Colin Shuter, of Rutland Street, with Ronald Gawler, of Hamurana, in second place. The judges, in their report, expressed the opinion that the general standard of the gardens was disappointing and suggested that more adequate methods should he taken to bring the competition under the attention of the children of the town and district. "We regret to report that th'e exhibits, in the majority of the cases, were very disappointing," stated the judges in their report. "We are firmly convlnced that more publicity should have been given to the competition, either by enlisting the sympathy and co-operation of the teaching staffs of the various schools, or by means of pamphlets or leaflets distributed individually to the various children."

Of the total number of entries, only 9S per cent. fulfilled conditions and were up to expectations, 9h per cent. contained three different species of vegetables only, and 47 2-3 per cent. had completed the initial stages only and then tired of their efforts. Thirtythree and one-third per cent. had made no attempt to fulfil the conditions at all. Under the circumstances it was recommended that only two priz'es be given. The winner of the first prize, C. Shuter, had entered a good display, in which the chief fault was overcrowding. The second prize garden was also very creditable, untidiness being the worst feature. The report suggested that in competitions of this description a minimum area of 1-00 square feet be set instead of 144 square feet as at present. A minimum of 100 square feet would give competitors scope to extend their plots if they desired to do so. It was also suggested that visits should be made to the competitors from time to time in order to give assistance by helpful hints and suggestions. Borders of some sort, to separate the plots from the surrounding garden would be a decided advantage.