java n00b

    private void ftnumberKeyReleased(java.awt.event.KeyEvent evt) {                                    
        String tnumber = " " + FIELD1.getText();
        tname = ftmenusearch(tnumber);
    }                                   
   
    private String ftmenusearch(String tmnumber){
        System.out.println(tmnumber);
}

why does calling ftmenusearch return with nothing?