CHRISTCHURCH AND PALMERSTON NORTH SHOW'S

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13908, 6 December 1910, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH AND PALMERSTON NORTH SHOW'S

I Having been at both the above Shows, I wonder how many times 1 j have been asked, "Well, and what do you think of our Show?" So many times, in fact, that one is troubled to find sufficient varying phrases to express the same meaning, so as to relieve tho monotony of hearing oneself <»ive his opinion in the same terms; for, after all, there is, of course, only tho one accepted opinion, that being "Our Show is easily the premier one of the Dominion." Now, this answer to the oft-reheated query keeps one out of a good deal of trouble, because no one knows that you may bo quite insincere in your reply, and tliat it is being given only for politic reasons \ Upsides, how can one possibly award i tbe palm to Palmerston—as some of the j northern oaners did—without first seeing Christchurch? Now that the excitement and bustle of both Shows are over, one can in calmer moments review their merits. If the editor will grant mc space for j a few impressions gained whilst attend- | ing thorn, I may he able to prove that, J in my opinion at least, neither Showcan claim superiority over the other. In the matter of weather hoth were j exceotionallv favoured. As an actual j show of farm stock Christchurch is an j easy first as regards numbers; the i cattle section only being behind that ! of Palmerston. The number of exhibits! in the following sections at the two j Shows is as follows (Palmerston being read first):—Cattle. 574—215; sheep, 44(j__1002: horses. 209—">94 ; pigs, 39— 75; totalling 1038 as against 1936. CAITLE. On analysing the cattle section at Palmerston North one is rather apt to be surprised how evenly the different breeds were represented in numbers, and inspection of the exhibits also showed evenness of quality. I don't think I have ever seen a more even lot of cattle of their respective breeds, and the judging in no cases could have been a sinecure. Contrary to what one would have expected, tlie Shorthorn class wa.s oiobably the most wanting in uniformity, just as it was low in numbers, only 37 entries being exhibited. Several new breeders were in competition, and it is fairly safe to nssumo that the best of tie North Island Shorthorn blood was present. The cnttle were shown in rather better condition than wa.s found at Christ-

('Weekly Press and Referee.")

A COMPARISON

church. Taking the classes as a whole, I think the prize-winners at Palmerston were inferior in quality to those of the southern fixture, where it is generally admitted the winning exhibits were well up to the highest standard ever shown there.

At Palmerston the Hereford classes wero well filled, and a.s good competition was anticipated, an Australian judge was appointed to adjudicate, and his criticism was, on the whole, strongly in favour of our New Zealand type. This breed at Christohurch was represented only by a solitary entry, whereas at the northern Show 29 entries competed. The late- high prices ruling for fat cattle should further induce cattle men to engage in the fattening of cattle, and in view of the present demand on the part of farmers for dairying strains of Shorthorns, the beef-.producing qualities of the Hereford should soon become more generally recognised. Ayrshires were represented at Palmerston by 64 entries as against 35 at Christchurch. This is perhaps not to be wondered at -when we consider that the dairy industry is more engaged in in the north. At both shows the class of exhibits in the Ayrshire section -was distinctly good; bit why this breed in particular should ne subjected to such an amount of trimming is a matter not very well understood by the general public. Hbrns are sandpapered and oiled, forelocks, withers, and tails are closely cut by clippers so as to accentuate fineness of outline in accordance with the general ideas pertaining to dairy type. The cattle were shown in better condition in the south than in the north, and were on the whole better "got up" for show purposes. The Jerseys at Palmerston were also a good lot; in liumbers beating Christchurch by 50 to 32. The type.most favoured in the north would give one the impression of being hardier and, perhaps, larger in frame than here; but it would be a difficult matter to find cows with better developed udders than were seen in Christchurch; and this is a point greatly to be appraised in a dairy breed. This "breed is rapidly gaining in popularity in r;he North Island* and is one bidding +o fairly outnumber others at the snows of the near future. I The Holstein-Friesian" section was represented by 33 entries in Palmerston. and by none in Christchurch. This breed is suffering from the disadvantage of at present having no accepted standard in New Zealand by which to be judged. Therefore, awards 'are being made quite on the personal opinion .-f the judge, and it is not at all surprising to find awards very much in conflict, at various shows, of the same animals. Some of the later importations of this breed from America are diverse in type; as in that country Utility more than conformation is sought for, and it is the milking propensities which are being given prominence in breeding and selection. If such a standard is to be adopted here, very little dependence can be placed on judging this breed simply cv conformation as in Shorthorns or Herefords. Some of the young bulls in this section were submitted to public sale, and the prices realised were in no way in accord with the judge's awards; but whether the public or the judge was to blame is a question I don't profess to answer. As this breed is coming to the fore as a milk-producing one, it will probably be correct in the future to judgo on milk-producing lines. The Palmerston catalogue included a section for dairy cattle other than purebred, which comprised twenty entries, most of which were grade Jerseys. Christchurch makes no provision for such a class, but as a substitute had one for milking Shorthorns. Whether a class for either of the above classes of cattle is required at all is a subject wpll worthy of debate, but space will not allow one to go fully into ►...© matter here. Both may be acce_yted as being essentially utility classes, and as such may partially fill the bill, but after all it is only the judge's opinion of the individual qualifications of the animals that enables him to give the awards, and his judgment must of necessity be based on conformation lines, which may easily be upset when judged according to actual power of milk production, or, as one had better put it, of butter-fat production. The only advantage of such classes that readily suggests itself is that it enables the small farmer to enter into show competition apart from the larger and probably wealthier breeder. The fat cattle classes were equally well filled at both shows, and contrary to what has been experienced in the past. Palmerston somewhat easily freld the palm for quality this year. There was a sappjness found in the cattle there that was wanting in the Christchurch exhibits. Herefords comprised the bulk of the entries at Palmerston, and they gave a. uniformity of type to the section that is seldom met with in this class of cattle, which in most shows is made up of all crosses of breeds. Red Polls were shown only at Christchurch. As this breed has a good record at Home for milking purposes, it should ' well repay introducing into the dairy districts of the North Island. The nine entries at Christchurch were brought out in the pink of condition, and formed a very pleasing display. The thought suggesteditself to mc that a very satisfactory cross could be

made between a Red Polled bull and coarse Hoktein cows. SHEEP. Coming to ths srieen section. I confess 1 got rather a staggerer when l found that'whereas there were 44b entries at Palmerston (which were generally thought to he above tlie average in quality) Christchurch responded with 1032 of still better stuff in sections. If my memory serves mc neatly, a few years ago saw the Lincoln breed shown in small numbers at Christchurch : tint thl. year entries were in excess of Palmerston by four. I don't know whether I am right in so thinking, but it appeared to mc as if the Canterbury sheep was more leggy than its Northern brother, nor did they apjioar to be so densely woolled. Homneys at Palmerston formed a very strong section, comprising 141 entries, as against 43 at Christchurch. This breed is becoming very popular in the bush districts of the North Island, and it is therefore not surprising to find so many breeders in competition. No doubt the natural conditions of the North eminently suit this breed, on account of the heavy rainfall and consequent strong growth of grass being in accord with the environments of the district from which it originally sprung. English Leicesters provided a very strong' section in Christchurch, and one that would surely have graced any show ground in the world. Some of the classes were very well filled indeed, and the general quality was very uniform. As one reviewed the pens it could be noticed that there is a tendency to breed a somewhat coarse sheep that was nt one time more fancied; and this applies to both shows. Canterbury has long been the homo of the English Leicester in New Zealand, and that it is still in favour is proved by the large entry of 168; a number in excess of any other section in sheep. Border Leicesters provided an entry of 18 only in Palmerston, as against 120 in Christchurch. The latter show was equally in advance in quality as in quantity. " The fat lamb trade" is responsible for the popularity of the Border, and some really first-class animals wore on exhibition. In the North Island the breed is also popular, but tlie stud sheep there do not compare well with the Canterbury ones, taking them ns a whole. In Downs, Shropshire* at Palmerston only numbered 1-3. whilst at Christchurch they totalled 73, and the premiership of quality must be given to the latter place. Southdowns, on the other hand, were stronger aud better at Palmerston, some of the Jfawke's Bay exhibits being of exceptional merit. For fat lambs the Down cross leaves little to be desired, but

in the moister districts of the North there is always trouble encountered in keeping the Down rams sound in their feet. Unless Down lambs can be got off at freezing weights, thej* are not very saleable, on account of the lightness of their clip.

Merinos mustered 87 strong in Christchurch, but were unrepresented at Palmerston. As I am practically unacquainted with this breed, I cannot say much about their merits as shown; but as we are dependent on the halfbred ewe —merino-longwool cross—for the production of some of our . best flocks both for wool and mutton, it is gratifying to find that merinos aro still being held in fair quantities. Canterbury mutton would never have attained its standard apart from the infusion of the merino blood. Corriedales were shown to the extent of 74 in Christchurch, but were an unknown quantity in Palmerston. This breed has practically, been evolved to specially meet the demand® of Canterbury for a sheep combining in the highest degree major points for boch wool and mutton. Corriedales must he derived from tho progeny in the first place of merinos and a longwool sheep of any pure breed. Consequently we do not rind such a uniformity of type, as the range allowed breeders is a fairly wide one. The LincolnMerfno cross predominates, however, and is the one evidently most in popular favour. This breed is also getting a footing in the North Island, and it may not be long before we see nor-thern-bred sheep competing. The fat sections were equally well filled at both shows, and the quality of the exhibits was very much on a par. The northern folk have long considered their mutton equal to Canterbury, and certainly where the smaller breeds are used there is little to distinguish one from the other. HORSES. Coming to the horse section, we find Canterbury still leading in point of numbers, 594. as against 259. A casual inspection of both shows would not prepare one for this difference, but these figures are officially taken. In draught horses Christchurch leads easily both in quality and numbers, but it was found here that breeders were inclined to favour the smallestboned, less-haired horse; but for what practical reason it is hard to see. Is it on account of judges having more recently favoured this type in making their awards, or are animals of tfiis style really more suitable for their work? We know that in the open market there is still an unsatisfied demand for horses of the old and heavier type. The northern breeders, on the other hand, are endeavouring to keep to the heavier-built animal, as they find it marketable at higher prices; so that unless a change comes over the scene wo shall see each island producing a type of its own. If this eventuates, it will scarcely be fair to import judges from across the Straits for either show. The harness horses were distinctly better in Christchurch, and as their purchase and general get-up is bo often a matter of £.s.d., it is not surprising to find this tho- case in the' oldersettled district. But when we come to saddle horses we find the position quite reversed, and in a great measure one may put this down to the horses of the North being bred on much nearer thoroughbred lines. In the jumping competitions, Christchurch was particularly disappointing, both in numbers and performances; neither did the riding on the whole compare anything like favourably with Palmerston, where the jumps were both stiffer and more numerous. There, if a horse hits hard, he must come down, and one could not possibly see such a display as was made in Christchurch of a horse knocking every jump down in the circuit and never once losing his feet. If required to test the mettle of a hunter, it seems folly to erect such fight fences as were seen at Christchurch. It may be urged in defence that the enclosure is too small to enable horses to show quite what they were capable of doing, and that the Association evidently recognises that, is shown -;y the absence of any competition in steeplechase style. " But apart from that, there was not that cleanness oi jumping that might well be expected from a hunting district like that which surrounds Christchurch. GENERAL REMARKS. Regarding tlie management or the two Shows, I am sorry to say, bei_£ a Canterbury man, that Palmerston is deserving of the more credit. Both claim to be three-day Shows, but from a visitor's point of view Palmerston is and Christchurch is not. The Palmerston catalogue on the first day provided i for the judging of produce, home industries, and pigs; and in competitions, gentleman rider, bareback rider, driving competition, lady's pony turnout, mounted stockman's competition, motor-car driving (3), musical stalls, harness horse _iace and style), maiden hunter's competition (in which 33 horses entered), and horse-shoeing competition. Now, at Christchurch, we find on the first day judging of carriages, implements, machinery, etc. (which are not judged at Palmerston, but are on j exhibition only), and so far as I can find out from the catalogue, nothing else. Why this is so is probably on { account of there being other attractions in Christcharch during Show Week, whilst at Palmerston there are

practically no others. Tn having a small exhibition of machinery both Shows were alike, and tho fact is tobe deplored. This section of tho Show certainly adds a good deal to the picturesqueness of the scene, and, .speaking from personal experience, the show of implements is duly appreciated by the farmer, as the various makes are brought into closer view. Manufacturers complain that the charge for ground space is an item to be reckoned with, and it would appear as if the different Show Associations might well forego making a charge for stands if it is going to deErive the Shows of the machinery exibits. Christchurch has no Winter Show at which farmers may inspect machinery, as at Palmerston, and thus no opportunity offers itself to bring farmers and manufacturers together, excepting at the town stores. Christchurch has an advantage over Palmerston in having so many agricultural implement works located in ite actual vicinity, whereas in Ralmsrston so much of the exhibits hare to be brought from a distance, not a few from Christchurch itself.

Viewing the crowd which-attended the two Shows, one is struck by th© difference in the general demeanour of the two. Th© Palmerston assemblage appeared far more business-like'; their interest was keener; a Show was apparently no novelty to them. And small wonder, considering the way Palmerston and district run their winter and spring fixtures. The northern people are more critical, and the townspeople recognising the value of the Shows to them, appear to take a very lively personal interest in their management. The Christchurch people, on the other hand, nerambnlated the grounds much more, an evident desire to see and be seen pervades tho minds of most. People's Day is an off-day from the races, and time has to be filled in somehow, so the Show is visited as much as a matCer of form as from anything else. In the matter of numbers Christchurch easily leads, and the takings at tilie gate, in consequence, must be a very material factor in helping along the Association's finances. Palmerston has more stand accommodation, and Christchurch might with profit follow the example.