Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N S.W. 707 



Boys^ Maize-growing Competitions. 



The success of boys' maize-growing competitions in America led to a movement 

 in the same direction in New South "Wales some years ago, but like many 

 other enterprises it was arrested by the war. Lately there has been a revival 

 of interest in the subject, and an agricultural and horticultural society 

 recently asked the Department to outline the conditions under which such a 

 competition might be conducted here. 



The suggestions made in response to the inquiry may be of interest to other 

 societies that contemplate a similar move. They were as follows ; — 



1. The competition should be open to all boys and girls under 18 years of age, a 

 nominal entrance fee of 2s. 6d. being charged. 



2. Applications should reach the secretary not later than a certain date giving (a) full 

 name and address, (b) age at last birthday and date of birth. 



3. The area should be one-tenth of an acre, and each competitor should be allowed to 

 choose his own land, and methods of preparing, planting, and cultivating the crop. 

 As a guide to the size of the plot, the following will be found useful : — 



With .3 feet between rows, the total length of rows will be 1,452 feet. 



H 



3f 

 4 

 4i 

 4i „ 



4. Any variety of seed may be used by the competitor. Seed might be supplied, if 

 required, by the societj^ free of cost. 



5. Only one entry should be allowed each competitor. 



6. The time of sowing should be restricted to one month — that most suitable for the 

 district. ^ 



7. Each competitor should be required to keep a record, showing the dates and par- 

 ticulars of the different operations on the plot, and these records should be delivered at 

 the time of harvesting to the officer who superintends the harvesting and verifies the 

 yield. 



8. Within a week from harvesting each competitor should select, without help, ten 

 cobs of maize from his crop and forward them to the secretary. 



9. Competitors should notify the secretary of the date of maturity of the crop, and 

 when it is ready for harvesting. 



' 10. No competitor should be allowed to employ any labour on the competition plot 

 other than his own personal labour, excepting in ploughing or the driving of horses, for 

 which help may be necessary. 



11. The aggregate points should be 100 and they should be allocated in the following 

 way : — 



(a) Yield of plot 70 points, 



(b) Quality of maize (judged on 10-ear sample 



submitted) ... ... ... ... ... 20 ,, 



(c) Notes and record of plot 10 ,, 



100 „ 



12. Competitors may be present during the judging of the maize ears, when instruction 

 may be aiTorded in growing and judging. 



13. Three judges should be appointed, and their decision accepted as final. 



