EDITORIAL FARM NOTES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9594, 8 December 1896, Page 2

EDITORIAL FARM NOTES.

"Weekly Press and Referee."

OTAOO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. , The same good fortune which attended the other Shows throughout the colony this season was vouchsafed to this society for their annual Bhow of stock, 4c, which we are pleased to note was a complete success. The attendance of visitors was good, but considering the objects of the association, we have always thought that the general public of Dunedin and the surrounding country do not accord the association the full support that they might reasonably expect. It is true that their shortcomings in this direction are somewhat repaid at the winter Show of roots, grain, seeds, &c. The exhibits of draught stock, if not quite as numerous as on former occasions, were well up to the standard of quality. Mr A. Douglas's Wallace was first and champion in the aged stallions. Mr Young's Young Betrayer scored first in the Carriage 1 Stallions. The other classes of light horses were as usual well filled. The cheep were brought forward in the pink of condition. Mr Watson Shennan, after a lapse of some years, again made his appearance in the Merino classes. Amongst those of special merit was his champion three-year-old ram, weighing 2101b, and with a fleece estimated to weigh 301b. In Border Leicesters Messrs Little Bros, took both championships. In Lincolns, the N.Z. and A. Land Co. took both championships. In Romneys, Mr Logan's recently imported ram secured the championship. Messrs J. Reid and Sons were the only exhibitors in Shropshires, as Mr Holmes was in the Cheviot class. Wβ are pleased to note that in the Shorthorn classes Mr Jas. Gow's Peer 111. secured the champion cup. This bull was bred by Mr John Deans, of Riccarton, as was the champion bull at Christohurcb, which speaks well for the now famous Riccarton herd ef Shorthorns. The N.Z. and A. Land Cotook the champion ticket with their Shorthorn cow Pearl. The Canterbury Agricultural College took first and second in their class with Lord Rosebery and Lord Kelvin. It may be said that Otago and Southland are the home of the Polled Angus cattle, as they are seldom seen in the Show rings enteide of those provincial districts. Messrs R. and A. Officer's Monarch was the champion. The Land Co.'s cow Tottie was the champion cow. The Hon. M. Holmes and Messrs Murray Roberts also secured several firsts. The Ayrshire classes were, aa usual, well represented. Mr James Qenunell's Lord Glasgow secured Ist and Champion. Messrs A. and A. McFarlane secured the Championship for the best cow. The competition in the other classes was keen. The Land Company had a grand display of fat cattle ; the show of pigs was a good one, the Tamworths made their appearance, in fact this breed is becoming highly esteemed as a bacon pig, and is being used with the Berkshire for the purpose of giving a larger flitch. The implement section was ac usual a feature of the Show, all the great manufacturers and importers being present. SHOW CONDITION. A point which requires the serious condition of all interested in stud stock is the unnecessary quantity of condition (fat), which it is deemed necessary to pile upon animals of all classes before they are considered eligible for the judging ring. An •nimal in fair working condition either for .milking or for service has no chance of competing against their more obese rivals, although they are in that condition in which their every point may be seen, and in which they are of the most service to their owners. .' A.simple incident will illustrate our meaning. [A wheelsmilh once remarked on being remonf itrated with about a large flaw or hole which ' appeared in one of the felloes—that " it was a large hole that putty would not fill." And . it must be a very serious delect in an animal which fat could not be made to conceal. This matter of over condition is one which ■ is at present engaging the attention of Show people in the Old Country. It is true that \ the judges appointed by the Canterbury A. and P. Association have instructions not to giv* undue consideration to condition in - breeding classes, a condition which is overlooked, not wilfully, but in obedience to toe\ fashion of the day ; a fashion which it will Dβ well to alter as soon ac possible. If ' the judges would take into account the coin- ', meroiaj value of the animals before them as well as their excellence in other respects, an improvement for the better would soon be apparent. - MUBBSXMO AND TRIMMING SHIST FOE SHOW PURPOSES. Oar readers are aware that all restrictions in.this direction have been removed, from the conditions required by the Canterbury A. and P. Association in their, present catalogue. The result was watched with much intereet at the recent Show, it must however, be remarked that as the restrictions were only removed a short time previous to the Show the results would not be so apparent as they may be at future exhibitions. It was considered reasonable . that breeders should be permitted to treat , their sheep ac they please, just in the same way as owners of horses and cattle arei whatever the result may be in the • future. The results of dressing and trimming were very apparent at the recent Show. Sheep are judged so much by the wool, that there is strong inducement to manipulate it to the fullest extent. This we have no objection to, but what we do disapprove of as misleading is the clipping and shaping the sheep by aid of the shears. This is decidedly an objectionable proceeding, if not worse, and one which the judges might very well receive instructions upon. Another proceeding which should be discouraged as equally objectionable is the method of shearing sheep intended for show purposes at future Shows. A declaration should be re—spared to the effect that the whole of the wool was removed at the last shearing. It is said that there are tricks in all trades, and we fear that the trade of preparing sheep for the Show is not exempt. We commend these considerations to all who have the welfare of future Shows at heart. Great and lasting good has been achieved throughout the colony by the exhibitions of ■took, but a greater measure of good awaits • a change in fashion as regards the condition of stock and the artificial means adopted by tome in preparing their animals for the Show ring. NXLSON AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. The annual Show, of this association was held on the 26th met., and was perhaps on* • of the most successful events yet held by this association, which appears to have gained new life and vigour. Between five and six thousand persons attended. The show ef sheep was the best en record, embracing Lincolns, Leicesters, Romneys, aed the ever increasing Bhropahires, and they would have given a good account of themselves in any Show yard. The same may be said of the dairy cattle and the . light horses. There were some fine specimens of Berkshire pigs present, and the dairy produce, including cured and preserved meats, left little to be desired. The management must be congratulated on the general saocess what has crowned their efforts. TABANAKI A. AND P. ASSOCIATION'S SHOW. Tbi« event took place on tho mom date as

the Nelson, but, being far removed, no clashing was observable. The Show, as a whole, was a success. The draught cattle and sheep were well'represented. Mr I Mitchell's draught stallion "Glengyle" took first and champion. Mr Williamson's blood stallion Fraternite gained first honours. The show of dairy produce and implements was very good, as was the weather and the attendance of the public, always a most important factor in all our Shows. RKPOKT OF THK GOVERNMENT BIOLOGIST, MR T. W. KIRK, FOR 1895-96. This pamphlet is to hand as an extract from the report of the Department of Agri. culture for 1896. A perusal shows what an amount of useful work is being carried on by this branch of the Agricultural Department. As most of our readers are aware, the Department publishes leaflets illustrative of injurious weeds, insecte, and fungoid pests, and the best as yet known methods of dealing with cash. Over 10,000 of each of these have been issued, together with a very large number of reports, &c, all calculated to render farmers and gardeners and others familiar with the appearance of their foes, and the best-known methods of dealing with them. THE ANNUAL CENSUS. .We have to thank Mr E. J. Yon Dadelszon the Registrar General, Wellington, for some advance sheets of the census returns for the year 1896, which are now being published. The table to hand which interests us most is that referring to the dairy industry, showing the number of butter and cheese factories in operation in 1896, the number of hands employed, the amount paid in wages and the output for the year 1895. Factories in operation, 170; - together with 105 creameries. Hands employed, 548 males, 28 females, total, 576 ; receiving £40,157 in wages. The output of butter was 11,336, 7761bs valued at £355,116. The output of cheese was 41'323t0ns valuedat £146,158, or a total of £501,274. THE LIVE STOCK IMPORT TRADE OF LIVERPOOL. Some idea may be formed of the extent of this trade by a perusal of the following notes taken from the Cattle Salesman's Gazette. The arrivals at Liverpool during the week ending September 19th last consisted of eleven steamers, landing live stock and fresh meat from American and Canadian ports, bringing a total of 4,288 cattle, 5,070 sheep, and 19,927 quarters of beef, which, compared with the arrivals of the previous week, show an increase of 668 cattle and 7,055 quarters of beef.