ASHBURTON COMBINED WINTER SHOW.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7819, 11 June 1909, Page 2

ASHBURTON COMBINED WINTER SHOW.

SIXTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

Officers—Winter Show Section : President, Mr T. Mawson; Vice-presi-dent, Mr D. Wood; Treasurer, Mr J. Tucker; Secretary, Mr J. B. Christian; Committee, J. Allen, W. Anderson, J. Bonifant, junr., G. W. Body. J. Bruce, H. E. Blunden, J. ! Croy, J. Cairns, T. Capon, A. Drummond, T. Dowling, D. J. Doak, F. Frampton, J. M. Hampton, T. Langley, H. A. Lloyd, G. Mcßae, G. Murdoch, J. H. Muirhead, John Shearer, John Small, J. Stringfellow, W. J. Taylor, D. G. Wright. Officers— Poultry Section : Patrons, The Mayor (Mr H. Davis)), Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P.; President, Mr John Studholme ; Vice-presidents, Messrs T. Bullock, H. Friedlander, D. Wood, F. Ferriman, T. Langley, J .Tucker, Jas. Small, H. A. Lloyd, T. F. Gibson, T. E. Upton, and A. A. Ryan; Hon. Treasurer, Mr W. j H. Robinson ; Hon. Secretary, Mr W. H. Amos ; Committee, Messrs G. Bundy (chairman), T. Breeze, W. H. Robinson, R. D. Johnston, S. Wilson E. J. Cox. I. V. Matthews, G. W. Aldridge, E. Crysell, H. Shepherd, G. F. White, G. T. Smart, T. O'Carroll, E. Parkin, B. Baker, J. Harris, junr., J. Allen, A. Gates, F. Messent. FIRST DAY. The sixth combined annual Winter Show, held under the auspices of the Ashburton Agricultural and' Pastoral Association and Ashburton Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Society, was opened this afternoon m exceptionally favourable weather. Thanks to the courtesy of Messrs H. Matson and Co., F. H. Choat and Co., Mr Thos. Bullock, and his tenants, the annual exhibition is again held m the Arcade and its annexes, and it would be difficult to secure a building more suitable for the effective display of euch a comprehensive collection of farm stock, produce, poultry and machinery as that which constitutes the entry at this year's show. The. preparatory arrangements for the accommodation of the exhibits had been well advanced on Thursday, under the supervision of Mr Thos. Mawson (the energetic president), several members of the Executive, and the joint secretaries, so that practically everything was m readiness for the* opening ceremony, which, has not always been the case m former years. To say that the Show, as a whole, is a creditable one and an industrial exhibition representative mainly of the staple products of the large and fertile tract of country surrounding the town of Ashburton, is an unquestionable fact ; but to isay that the collection of stock, produce and seeds is the finest the county is capable of producing would be drawing the long bow of exaggeration. It is not the quality of the entries that one can find fault with, but now that the show has become recognised as an annual fixture one would reasonably expect to see a keener competitive interest taken m the show by the farmers. In a county endowed with such a large measure of productive wealth as the greater part of the land m the Ashburton county, the entries of products of the soil should be double what they are even at this year's show ; indeed, natural advantages are on the side of the farming community to such an extent that the Ashburton Winter Show should, all things considered, be one of the largest and finest farming industrial exhibitions m the dominion. Without any attempt to unduly praise the quality of the exhibits at this year's show, or indeed to make any invidious comparisons regarding the merits or demerits of the entries, collectively or individually,' it must be admitted that the farmers, as :a~ body, have failed m a measure to give the support which such an admirable orr ganisation deserves, more particularly when it is considered that the cardinal object of the combined committees is to promote the direct interests of the farmers themselves. The following is a statement showing the progress made by the Winter Show section since the first exhibition held on July Ist, 1904, the takings being for the whole show :

This table shows, that while the public has liberally supported the show as far as attendance is concerned, the increase m entries has been somewhat disappointing; but as a set off against this, it must be mentioned that the seasons during the past three years have not been altogether favourable to the production of roots, and this to some extent has interfered with the entry, both as regards quality and number. Although the entries this year show, numerically, an increase of over 80 entries as compared with last year's figures, several classes are very meagrely represented m the seeds and roots sections. Only on© entry appears m the farmers' table class for the best collection of roots, which should be one of the leading features of the show. There is also a decided falling off m entries m the majority of the root classes, but this, of course, was only to be expected m view of the parasitio diseases that ruined the crops at the beginning of the year. Fat stock is strongly represented, and is one of the outstanding features of the exhibition, while, on the other hand, there is little or no competition m the seed section. This is most regrettable, m view of the large amount of grain that is grown m the county, and the excellent season we have just passed through. Dairy and home produce exhibits show an improvement on those at last year's show, and make a most attractive and interesting collection. The same remark can also be applied to the cookery classes exhibits, which, as a collection, make a most commendable display. The classes for dressed poultry and eggs, have been neglected, only four entries appearing m the four classes m this section. A "very interesting and strongly represented section which has been added to the catalogue for the first time, is that allotted exclusively to pupils attending primary schools m the county. For the two classes m this section, namely —penmanship and designing and tinting, there are 80 entrants, and the committee has been most happy m its choice m selecting competitions that have so successfully captivated the popular taste. The poultry show is the most important of its class that has yet been held m Ashburton, the South Island Championships constituting the great traction. The entries number 894 m excess of last year's figures, arid the whole of the classes are exceptionally well filled. The championships, which number 23, of a. value of £5 each, include the following : Poultry —Black Orpingtons, Buff Orpingtons, golden, silver and white Wyandottes, Hamburg, Minorca, Game, Plymouth Rocks, black, brown and white Leghorn, best duck or drake. Pigeon classes —Dragoon or Carrier, Magpie, Show Homer, Owls (English or African), Muffed Tumbler, Flying Homer, Pouter or Cropper. Canaries—Best Norwich canary, buff and yellow, and best of any other variety. In addition to the championships, 14 special trophies valued at three guineas each are given, together with £45 distributed m prizes of_ss each and upwards, so that the Society cannot be accused of being illiberal m the matter of prize money. Exhibits m the poultry classes are from the pens of the leading fanciers from the Bluff to Wellington, and competition m every class, with probably two exceptions, will be so keen, that the judges are sure to experience a good deal of difficulty m placing their awards. One unsatisfactory feature of the show as a whole is the absence of the exhibit of the Department of Agriculture, which came m for such general admiration at last year's exhibition. It appears, however,, that the closeness of dates of Winter Shows down south nnd that of Ashburton did not permit rf the Department showint; its eompMionsive collection of exhibits here, but a, distinct

promise has been given that Ashburton will not be. overlooked m the fu- .' ture. Viewed from a general standpoint, . the show is fully up to the standard of those held formerly, and is m every., i; way worthy of patronage. GRAIN AND SEEDS. . The exhibits of grain and seeds numbered twenty-nine, and although the quality was decidedly good,' much dis- , appointment was expressed at the comparatively small number of entries m . such an important section. The six classes of wheat represented m the exhibits comprised some well grown and plump samples of grain,, showing that the land on which it was produced was of high fertility. To a layman, however, the exhibits* of wheat are not i infrequently very deceptive, despite their plumpness, when viewed from a miller'si standpoint. It is not generally i a recognised fact that the quality of wheat grown m the Ashburton county can be classed into several grades. In several parts of the county known to the writer, the wheat grown contains; a much larger percentage of gluten than that produced m., other parts; hence its value for milling purposes is distinctly higher. Stronger- flour is . also made from grain grown on specially adapted soils, and it is this fact that explains the disparity m prices that is frequently_perplexing to the farmers. Mr W. Harding, Willowby, was the only entrant m the class for barley, and for the four classes set apart for oats there were only seven individual exhibits. The barley was a fine sample, but the oats, " although well up to the average grown_ this season, were somewhat on the light side, and showed that the ripening had been rather immature. Five exhibits were represented m the ryegrass class, each of the samples shown being particularly bright, heavy and clean. .;■ '■_ DRESSED POULTRY AND' EGGS. Although the collection of 'dressed poultry was small, the quality- of the nicely prepared fowls and ducks, the exhibit of Mrs R. Holland, who had no competitor m the class, would have taken a lot of beating even had the class been well filled. There were only two entries m the class for'the best dozen hen eggs, single-yolked and-imt-ed, and these were very,even m quality and weight. ROOTS, ETC. >."■■■ The roots, as a, collection,' are not uniformly even, and the inferior lots to some extent interfere with the -general attraction of the whole. There -is also evidence throughout m the appearance of the roots of the dry spell of weather earlier m the season, -and turnips^ mangolds, cabbage, onions, leeks, and. potatoes either show signs of having been pinched m growth or of having sent out a second growth. The outstanding feature of the section is undoubtedly the fine show of carrote— as fine a collection as one could wish to see. Parsnips are also good, but celery, leeks, cabbage, turnips, pumpkins and marrows form a very ordmi ary collection. The entries m the classes for field exhibits of mangolds and collection of roots grown from Messrs Sutton and Son's seeds (for a prize offered by the local agents of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd.) were not numerous, and although the collections are varied —good, and bad roots being bunched .together—; a number of the roots are' fairly clean and well-grown; m fact, the exhibit is the centre of interest for many farmers. ~ .. Mr W. T. Lill has an excellent ,col r lection of all t classes of farming., pro- d ducts m• a space of 10 fee,t by 4, feet^fl The roots ar.3 uniformly good, altnougj^Hj uneven, and they reflect no little credj^^J on the agricultural talent of the, F^^^| duoer. Mr Lill is the only ©xhibitor^^^H this class. - The collection of grain m the she^^H is a very ordinary -exhibit, both t^^H straw and grain being^weather-staine^^H and m one or two cases there, is dene© of blight and shrivelled grain. sample of the Now Era. wheat, which.^^H somewhat uncommon m this county, i^H shown and is generally favqurablj^JJ by those engaged m wheat-growing. FOALS. . Fifteen entries are shown m the eec» tion for foals, and the number shows how wisely the Executive acted m including this important class m the catalogue two years ago. The. entries are without exception a fine string of youngsters, more particularly m tKe draught section, m which there are 12 entrants, and three .individual exhibitors competing m the class for light foals. The section is one of the most popular of the show, and farmers and other horse fanciers may bo seen congregated m small knots around the stalls, dwelling on the points of ex- . cellence, or deficiency, of the" exhibits. One pleasing feature of the section is that the foals have not been over "got up " for the occasion. Altogether, the exhibit is an admirable one, and the exhibitors are justly 'm a position to feel proud of their stock, which has come m for much general admiration. FAT STOCK. There is an exceptionally, fine and ■ extensive exhibit of fat live stock; cattle, sheep and hoggets are shown m the very pink of condition. Not only ia the quality good, but the outstanding feature of the exhibits is the perfection of the various breeds of the stock. There are thirteen individual' entries m the fat cattle classes, and the bu_l« locks, steers and heifers m the exhibit showing conclusively that the exhibitors have taken intelligent trouble to raise their stock to a high standard of perfection. Wethers, hoggets and pet lamba are represented by 50 individual entries,- drawn from the flocks of the chief county breeders. -Without exception, the animals are a fine lot, and prove to the fullest extent what the Ashburton county is capable of producing m the way of high class" stock; and the entry also shows how largely this county contributes to the exportation of "prime Canterbury lamb and mutton."

Year. 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 ] Entries. 410 452 479, . 582 . 585 677 Takings. £ s. d. 139 11 0 93 12 0 183 7 0 173 5 4 205 17 6