ROOT SHOW AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3116, 5 July 1892, Page 2

ROOT SHOW AT CAMBRIDGE.

When the Waikato Horticultural Show was held at Cambridge on the 17th March, it w.-is considered too early to give a correct nstimute as to the quantity and quality of Swedes and turnips ; consequently a prize of £2 2s, given by Sutton and Sons through their Cambridge agents (Messrs Sotiter and Co.), was held over till a later period. At the request of the -Horticultural Society, the Farmers' Club undertook the awarding of tho prize, and the contest came off on Saturday lust in Messrs Souter's store, the judges being Messrs Robt. Fisher and Richard Reynolds (of Reynolds and Co.), and their decision met with universal approval. Tho prize was for the best six Swedes, erown in a paddock of not less than three acres in extent. A good number of exhioits were staged, and the judges expressed surprise at the size and quality ot Swedes shown, as they expected tha very bad season that has just passed would have caused the show of roots to be a poor one. The first prize was missed by a farmer who " put himself out of court " by cutting off tho rootlets of his exhibits, which were splendid samples of Crimson King and Marshal Swedes. The prize was awarded to Mr Arch. Wallace, of Pukerimu, for Button's Marshal, while Mr John Fisher for Marshal and Crimson King, and Mr Jos. (Jane for Sutton's Champion, were both highly commended. Mr Gune's exhibit, though n'it of gigantic size, were splendid quality, and the exact counterpart of this Swede as illustrated in Messrs Sutton's catalogue. Although the .season has not been a favourable one for root crops, there mn?t, nevertheless, be some instances in which they are well up to the average, judging by Saturday's exhibition. Ohanpo must bo well to the fore with roots, for we are told that Mr Orrifjnn of that place recently sold a paddock of white-fleshed turnips to Mr McNicol for £2 10s per acre, the variety being Sutton's Imperial Green Globe. This is a high price, and when Swedes are considered to be worth fully one-third more in feeding properties, Mr Corrisan's crop must have been Al. We believe the farmers generally estimate 20 tons of Swedes to be equal in feeding value to 25 tons of hybrid or yellow flesh turnips, und to 30 tons of white flesh turnips. At that rate, if Mr Corrigan's crop had been Swedes, they would have returned him £3 (is 8d per acre. Well may the farmers be thankful that Waikato will grow roots. . On Saturday afternoon Mr W. M. Douglas, of Briintwond, brought in six specimens of Suttons' Crimson King swedes for exhibition only. They word symmetrically perfect and weighed 78lbs. If they had been entered for competition and had arrived earlier in the day they would undoubtedly have been awarded tho prize.