Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1928. AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 140, 24 March 1928, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1928. AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.

The fact that agricultural shows are held in two country centres in the County within the space of a fortnight directs attention to the important part that such exhibitions play in the development of the primary industries. As the "Guardian'\has previously stated, the country shows are by no means rivals of the Ashburton Show; rather are they complementary to it, especially ad they are held in the autumn as against the spring fixture of the central body. The keynote of a show is, as it should be, competition. The progressive farmer works for quality in his flocks 1 and herds, because quality pays. It is not conceivable that he should buy, breed and select simply to win the blue ribbon at a show. But, having aimed at

quality, and believing that he has succeeded, it is naturally an added satisfaction if his skill and judgment are endorsed by the verdic t of expert and impartial judges.' Whether a prize-winner or not, he can gain by being an exhibitor. The opportunity of comparing his own stock line by line, point for point with the best the province can pen is not to be despised. It is by comparisons of this kind that he learns, and farming is an occupation where there is room to be learning all the time. The opportunity is there for all, exhibitor and mere spectator alike, but there is not much doubt that the man with stock of his own in the contest will note more carefully and remember more exactly the difference between his and those which are a little better, or not quite so good. An agricultural show. is, in fact, educational if it is of any value at all. In the sections devoted to domestic arts, which form such a feature of Ashburton County shows, the friendly rivalry between exhibitors is welcome, for besides affording- valuable lessons of which the observant housewife will take full advantage, it also provides a widening of outlook that cannot but be beneficial to all. And not the least value of the small shows, as contrasted with the larger displays, is the sociability that characterises them. Of recent years, with the advent of the telephone and the motor-car, to say nothing" of wireless, the amenities of rural life changed considerably, with the result that shows have nof now the great social importance that once attached to them. But they retain much of the old spirit and! in that respect con- i

tinue to play tlfleir part. Primary industry has faced difficult times, from which it hasi learned certain useful lessons. One is that the slogan "more production" alone does not go far enough. There must also be more economic production. It is essential that more acres should be broken in and I made to yield" their quota of produce, but it is also necessary that the land already in use should be made to yield in a higher degree. Better quality of output, and a higher quantity per cow, as well as per acre, have been preached to the fanner, and with good reason. There has come from Britain a considered warning that in the markets on which New Zealand most relies competition is likely to grow more intense. To the producer it has been suggested that safety for him lies in jealously guarding the high reputation his commodity has won, and in endeavouring to lower the cost of production. Since the animal with the high yield of butter, wool or meat can be fed and maintained, in the ordinary way, just as cheaply as the less profitable type, to grade up flocks and herds is the way to safety and prosperity. In so far as agricultural shows help toward this end they are events of national importance.