no Dec, 1909.] Farm and Crop Competitions. 751 



.manner. In very bad cases of conformation no manner of feeding will 



■correct it. Bad seasons will cause the defect to be more pronounced. 

 Merino sheep with the most even fleece on the back are invariably 

 found with the most level made and even fleshed back when shorn. The 

 late George A. Brown (" Bruni " of the Australasian) often advocated 

 the further rejection off shears of a percentage of ill-shaped sheep, after 

 being classed in the wool, and too' few of our breeders yet realize the 



.advantage of it. Attention to shape is more than ever necessary when 

 we consider that flock merino ewes are the foundation of our crossbreds, 

 and that level made crossbred ewes are the mothers of our most present- 



.able export lamb carcases. A flat-sided, high, sharp-shouldered sheep 

 is one extreme, one wiLh onen, loose shoulder l)lades, the other. 



REGULATIONS FOR FARxM AND CROP COMPETITIONS. 



/■'. K. Lee, Agricultural Superintendent. 

 Under the conditions which regulate the annual allotment of the 

 Government grant to Agricultural and Pastoral Societies, it is necessary 

 that three out of four conditions shall be carried out. In addition to the 

 •examination of stallions and the holding of lectures or short course 

 •classes, societies have the option of either conducting an experimental plot 

 or giving a special prize for a, farm or crop competition. 



In order that uniformity may be observed in the judging of farms 

 and crops, and at the same time permit an accurate general opinion to 

 be formed in regard to any specific detail of the competition, the follow- 

 ing scale of points has been drawn up for use during the present season : — 



Farm Competitions. 



Pcjiiits. 



1. The best subdivision according to the methods of farming adojited 10 



2. The number of stock of all kinds on the farm ... ... ... 15 



3. The area under cultivation and class of crops grown ... ... '2(t 



4. The best provision for fodder conservation in the shape of silos, hay 



or straw stacks, and root crops ... ... ... 2.") 



.1. The condition of the fences, gates, vards, bails, pigstyes, barns, 



stables, &c. ... ... "... ... ".. ... 1<> 



(). The farm homestead and its arrangement, and convenience to out- 

 buildings ... ... ... ... ... ... ... !•* 



7. The best ])ro vision for water supply for stock ... ... ... !•> 



8. The quality of the stock kept on the farm ... ... .. 2(» 



9. The numbei' and variety of farm implements and their shed accom- 



modation when not in use ... ... ... ... ■ 1-' 



10. The best inovision for tree planting or shelter belts of any kind for 



stock ... .. ... ... .. ..". I" 



Total ., ... .. ... !.")(• 



It will be observed that proA'ision is made foT e\idences of progress 

 In each department on a general purpose farm. It will probably occur 

 that some competitors ma\- give a greater amount of attention tO' crop 

 production, others to dairying, or sheep keeping. The scale of points is 

 sufficiently elastic to meet these variable conditions and permit a fair 

 comparison between farms. It is worthy of note that the item carrying 

 the highest number of points is fodder conservation by means of silos, 

 hay or straw stacks, and root crops. No' matter what a farmer's practice 

 mav be. his animals must be fed, and if he keeps only a few animals, 

 then it is considered that bis farming scheme is a poor one. The area 

 -and diversitv of the cropping operations and the quality of the stock kept 



