ARE AGRICULTURAL SHOWS EDUCATING!

Press, Volume LII, Issue 8993, 4 January 1895, Page 3

ARE AGRICULTURAL SHOWS EDUCATING!

"Weekly Press." [COSTBIBUTBD.) The success of any agricultural show Is summed up by the amount of .money taken at the gatos. Oa that Dasis therefore the existence of these institutions depends. Such enterprises cannot be undertaken without certain returns to recoup the outlay, at ths same time too much of the commercial spirit has entered into the management of agricultural societies. The great aim that agricultural shows were established for, viz., The im provement of our live stock and encouraging other industries closely connected with agricultural pursuits—has been lost in a great measure for the less instructive and perhaps more popular one of catering amusements for public.

Allowing that shows were started with the laudable object of improving our live stock, have they had the desired effect We think not. Some generations have passed away since- a recognised standard of excellence in our different breeds of animals was expounded by men of superior skill and accepted. Yes—accepted because their standard was as near excellence as nature could be moulded by man. We can use nature only to a certain limit. Men like Bakewell and the Collinses did that, and we can go no further in that direction. But still there is something left for us to do. We have to straggle to keep up that excellence and modify or enlarge according to our requirements. Here comes in the good intention of our agricultural societies by offering premiums for animals of different breeds, showing such merits as are valued by recognised standards and types.

We are coming now to the point of contention, viz., are agricultural shows educating! Are "the premiums that are offered by these societies awarded in accordance with the object in view? Occasion, ally, but not as a rule, because the persons appointed by the societies are more frequently than otherwise ignorant of the points at issue, or"the opinions of judges are so different and their Ideas varying so much that no student of animal culture can derive any benefit therefrom. The numerous variety of judges that are appointed to act by request of societies almost within touch of each other serves only to complicate 1 matters. By this means of proceedure, animals of all types are recognised and we are no further advanced in fixing a worthy standard to be studied by those who are eager to educate, themselves. So far agricultural shows have not fulfilled their'mission, and the societies themselves are responsible.

Our object in criticising things as they are was also to point a practical way put of the present chaotic proceedings. What we require as the first step towards the object in view, is co-operation on the part of the numerous agricultural societies. At present there are too many societies that, according to our argument, only serve to complicate and retard proceedings. To serve as an illustration and localise, we would propose that a conference be held of all tho agricultural societies in Canterbury, their object being to improve on the present unsatisfactory state of affairs, as regards judges and judging. Some definite conclusion would be arrived at in fixing certain standards of excellence in the animals that premiums were offered for. After arriving at this all important decision men who might be deemed capable of awarding prizes according to the ideal standard already fixed, might be elected to act as jurors in the different classes. One judge for each class and the appointment to be for one year; to judge at all the shows represented at the Conference, and to give bis reasons In black and white, such onerous duties to be remunerated. The tcr be i.rrnWß- by the society represented and copies distributed to those who pay for 'admission to ths show-grounds, or attached to the pens or stalls of the animals receiving awards. In a two days' show this is quite practicable. By doing this an interesting field of healthy discussion would be opened up. Exhibitors, breeders, the students of animal culture and even the public at large would take more interest in the exhibitions and a move in the right direction would be taken to advance the object that agricultural. shows were really intended for. Contrast this way of proceeding with the modes at. present, in vogue, and our readers. will be able, to judge for themselves whether or not our agricultural shows educate anyone.