CAMBRIDGE ROOT SHOW.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 299, 9 June 1898, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE ROOT SHOW.

The annual root show, which is held under the auspices of. the Waikato Farmeis' Club, took place in the Cambridge Public Hall yesterday. It was somewhat surprising to see such an excellent display of roots, after this season of drought, as was tabled in the Hall yesterday. There were some empty spaces, which indicated that some wouldbe exhibitors found on close inspection that they would not be "iu it" ; but the quality, size and general appearance of the various kinds of roots was equal to the exhibits of former years—the quality being a special feature. The potatoes were also exceedingly good, but owing to their not being classed except red and white, many lots failed to secure the prominence they were thought to be entitled to. This was particularly noticeable iu regard to the several exhibits of the variety known as " Late Rose," which is a light red potato that is becoming very popular with Waikato growers. The name " Late Rose "is a misnomer, for it is an early kind to mature and is a saleable size about ten weeks after planting. It has been acclimatised in the Waikato, is a good cropper, and stands the extremes _ of weather better than most other varieties, and we believe has earned a name for itself which should entitle it to a class by itself. We would suggest that in future this potato should be known as "The Waikato Rose," and that the Farmers' Club should devote a special class to it. As it happened the prize for red potatoes was given to Eome that looked more blue thau red. The exhibit ot swedes and turnips was a really fine one. One long table contained about 50 exhibits that were competing for Messrs W. S. Laurie and Co.'s special prizes, given through their Cambridge agent, Mr G. E. Clark. This firm were successful in being second ami third for the championship of the show ; but the Loan and Mercantile Co. took the blue ribbon. The special prizes offered by Messrs W. Souter and Co. brought together a fine collection of roots. Some Sutton's Champiou grown by Mr Stewart Reid were exceptionally good ; but they had evidently been pulled some considerable time. Mr Turney showed Crimson King swedes that weighed over 151 b. each, and Mr 1). McKinnon some Sutton's Swiftsure that had grown very fast compared with other varieties. Mr T. W. Hicks won the award for yellow fleshed turnips with Sutton's Aberdeen, and Mr Vosper was second with the same firm's Perfection. The first and second for white fleshed turnips went to Messrs A. L. Souter and Jas. Anderson respectively for their Imperial Green Globe. The prizes for mangels were all won by Sutton's seeds, and the same re,mark applies to the whole of the classes for carrots. In onions, Messrs Sutton's seeds also came to the front, and Mr Joseph Bmigh showed some fine Kohl Rabi and Thousand-headed Kale.

The exhibits of butter were not numerous, but were good. Miss Howard was first for fancy butter with a very elaborate design, but Miss Bturges was close up. The bread aud scones were exceptionally good. We never racollect seeing better home-made bread, and Mrs Fisher's scones were true scones, and not the half-bred tea-oake that often passes muster for scones. The table fowls were beautifully dressed, and the eggs exhibited by Mr Marshall were " boomers." The preserved fruits were lovely, although there were only two exhibits. • Poultry was rather scarce, but we trust that in future this part of the show will receive more attention. The following is a list of the judges :-- Farm produce, such as roots, &c, Messrs Jas. Ryburn and John McCaw ; Bread, cakes, jams, etc., Mesdamcs A. Bach and C. Hunter ; butter, Mr G. J. Neal ; poultry, Mr Thos. Gresham. The following is a list of the awards : Champion prize—Best six Swedes, any kind -Gorton Estate, 1 ; E. B. Cox, 2 ; N. Banks, 3. Six yellow-fleshed turnips—T. W. Hicks, 1 ; W. Vosper, 2. Six white fleshed turnips—A. L. Souter, 1 ; E. Allen, 2 ; T. W. Hicks, commended. Three long red mangolds—E. Ellis, 1 ; G. Watt, juur., 2. Three yellow globe mangolds G. Watt, junr., 1 ; E Ellis, 2. Six field carrots—Jas. Baxter, 1 ; F. Cavanagh, 2. Six intermediate carrots—E Ellis, 1 ; Jas. Forrest, 2. Six early horn carrots—Jno. Fisher, 1 ; Jas. Forrest, 2. Half-cwt red potatoes—Jas. Forrest, 1 and commended ; J. Runciman, 2. Half-cwt white potatoes—J. Runciman, 1 ; J. Gane, 2. Collection red potatoes— J. Baxter} 1 ; J. Forrest, 2. Collection white potatoes—J. Baxter, 1.

Bushel red or white Tuscan wheatMrs Martyn, 1 ; H. Giliett, 2; W. Vosper, 3. Half bushel duu oats—F. C. German, 1 ; J. All will, 2. Bag of chaff— H. Fitzgerald, I ; J. A. Fitzgerald, 2 ; A. R. Miller, 3. Two pumpkins—Gorton Estate, 1 and 2.

Half bushel field peas—W. Tucker, 1. Six sugar beet—Rotorangi Estate, 1 ; W. Tucker, 2. Collection of turnips, three of each variety—J. Forrest, 1. Collection of onions, six of each variety—Rotorangi Estate, 1. Special class, best six Sutton's onions —M. Gilbert Watt, 1 ; Rotorangi Estate, 2. Prizes given by Messrs W. S. Laurie and Co. through Mr G. E. Clark, their Cambridge agent : Six Hurst's Monarch Swedes—E. B. Cox, 1 ; T. Walker, 2 ; G. Watt, 3. Six Hurst's Perfection Swedes—N Banks, 1 ; W. Chitty, 2 ; E. D. Murray, 3. Six Imperial Green Globe Turnips—E. Allen, 1 ; E. B Cox, 2. DAIRY PRODUCE. Fancy butter—Miss Howard, 1 ; Miss Nita Sturges, 2. Two pounds butter, in half-pound rolls—Miss Rita Sturges, 1 ; Miss Fisher 2. Heaviest dozen hen eggs—V. Marshall lOhaupo), 1 ; M. Butler, 2. Best dressed table fowl—Mrs J. Allwill, 1 ; Mrs W. Chitty (Hamilton), 2 B?st dre'sed table turkey— Mrs W. Chitty, 1. Home-made plain scones, made with W. Escott's baking powder—Mrs G. Fisher (Salthurst), 1 ; Miss E. M. Watts, 2 ; Mrs Semmens, 3. Home-made bread—Mrs W. Semmens, 1 and sp cial merit. Bakers-made bread—G. J. Neal, 1. Plum cake—no award. Seed cake—Miss N. L. Nixon, 1 ; Miss Lizzie Tucker, 2. Sponge cake—Mrs M. Butler, 1 and special merit. Six kinds of jam—Mrs M. Butler, 1. Collection of jollies—Mrs J. A. Fitzgerald, 1 ; Miss Ivy Tucker, 2. Collection of preserved fruits —Mrs G. F. McCullagh, 1 ; Miss Mary Tucker, 2. POULTRY. Dorking, cock and hen—-Rotorangi Estate, I. Andalusian, cock and hen—V. Marshall, 1 and special merit; .1. Forrest, 2 ; J. Allwill. highly commended. Plymouth Rock, cock and hen—J. Fisher, 1. Wyandotte, cock and hen—E. Allen, Houdan, cock and hen— F. R. Seddon, White Leghorn, cock aud hen—R. Fisher, 1. Game cock and hen—Rotorangi Estate, I. Bronze Turkey, cock and hen—J. Forrest, 1 ; E. Allen, 2. Gander and goose—W. Carroll, 1. Three turkeys, suitable for cable—J. Forrest, 1.