NOTES FOR GRAZIER AND DEALER.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9434, 4 June 1896, Page 3

NOTES FOR GRAZIER AND DEALER.

By Straggler.

Messrs Wilson Bros, write :—As the Tamworth breed of pigs is little known here, we would respectfully wish to draw your attention to an exhibit at the present Winter Show of Crossbred Tamworth Bacon. Looking into this bacon clearly shows why the Tamworth, either pure or crossed, is superior as a bacon pig, owing to the length of side and the mottled appearance of the meat, the fat and lean being more evenly distributed than in the ordinary bacon pig. Tickets are placed on two sides which are cut, and the sides of crossbred Tamworth are branded Ton the shoulder. Seeing a paragraph in one of the papers lately, saying that the Tamworths are supposed to be the best bacon pigs, has caused mc to write this, as there is nothing like " ocular demonstration" in pushing forward any new thing. We intend to make a bigger display of Tamworth bacon, both pure and crossed, at the next November Show, and have been breeding with both Berk and Yorkshire sows for that purpose. "Onlooker" writes:—l haye read the 'letters of your correspondents "X" and "Why" in regard to the manner in which the Flock Book has been edited. I also note what you have said in reply to the complaints of " Why," and would ask your permission to remark that I am inclined to think you miss the aim of your correspondents who write to you. They quite rightly complain of faulty editing, and I am sure nine men out of ten will agree that it is proper attention should be drawn to this. What better time than the present when the first edition has been issued ? " Butcher " for himself and several other . fleshers writes :—I would like to ask, through your columns, why one firm of butchers only exhibited at the Winter Show of the Canterbury Pastoral Association? Were other butchers invited to make a display of meat, or was the occasion specia v y reserved ? An answer will oblige from the authorities. (At a meeting of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association the other day, it was decided to ask the Hon. John McKenzie> Minister of Agriculture, to publicly open the winter show at 2 p.m. on the 10th June, and afterwards to lay the foundation stone of the new Agricultural Hall. A sub-com-mittee was appointed to make arrangements for lightiug the hall by electricity, and to have special admission tickets, which would be available for the three days, for the convenience of country visitors, and be obtainable on presentation of the railway ticket at the Garrison Hall. Owing to the large number of applications for space, it was decided to leave the matter of allotment over till a later date. From the enquiries made for space and entries already received, there is every prospect.of the coming show being even more successful than its predecessors.

The Post says that the next Show of the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association promises to be a very great success. The exhibits of cattle and sheep will be much more numerous than at any previous Show held in Wellington, breeders in various parts of the colony having signified their intention of being largely represented. The decision to give a prize of £50 to the breeder who gains the most points in the Ayrshire cattle class has given great satisfaction, and it is expected that fully 200 head will be shown. Nominations have already been received from Dunedin, Oamaru, Waitati, New Plymouth, and the Hutt, and several others are expected. - Each breeder will send between 25 and 30 head. Equally good entries for the other points'prizes of £50 each which the Association has decided to offer are anticipated. Mr G. H. Scales, the secretary, recently returned from a visit to the south in the interests of the Association, and was gratified to find that many prominent owners of stock were recognising the importance of showing their prize animals in Wellington. The first Winter Show of the ( Canterbury j Agricultural and Pastoral Association is now a thing of the past, and I desire to offer my

congratulations on the general success of the

exhibition as an exhibition. lam afraid it is impossible to congratulate the Association on the financial success of the undertaking, but I have every confidence that the next gathering will be vastly different in this and one or two other respects.

The following is & portion of the annual report to be presented to the annual meeting of the Wanganui A. and P. Association, to be held in Messrs F. R. Jackson and Co.'a

rooms on Saturday, 20th June:—Your committee, in presenting the annual balancesheet, have to report that the last show was fairly well attended, and was carried to a successful issue, and the Association are to be congratulated on the substantial position it now occupies. Commencing the year with a small credit balance, they now have a cash balance of £96 18s sd, besides yards and material to the value of £149 17s 6d. The number of entries in sheep showed a slight increase as compared with previous years, as also the entries in the " sundry " classes, while those in horses and cattle showed a slight decrease. Nevertheless, the quality of those exhibited were exceptionally good, and would bear favourable comparison with those exhibited at any show in the North Island. A much greater interest has lately been displayed in the affairs of the Association, the number of members being the largest attained for some years, and from promises of future support received by various members of the committee from farmers in the district, it is believed the next show will be one of the largest ever held here. Wheu it is considered that the Association is recognised by the outside public as the official means of communicating with the farming community it will be easily seen how important it is that a personal interest in tho affairs of the Association by all affected should be taken. The official duties of the officers arc not confined to merely carrying out the duties appertaining at the time of the show, but require attention to correspondence tho whole year round.