THE USE OF A SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 49, 21 November 1907, Page 2

THE USE OF A SHOW.

SOME OF ITS ADVANTAGES. The following is taken from a papor read at a recent meeting of tho • Palmerston branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union by Mr. J. M. Ross: — "It is generally by competition and comparison that men aro spurred oil to make their best efforts, and the finest products of a district arc thus found on the show ground. From an educational point of view, what he sees there is invaluable to a farmer; lie there meets' with a fine display of practically everything that can be produced on a farm, together with some of the. best farm imple-

ments and machinery connected with agricultural work. Take, for example, the entries in any particular class of stock. With specimens before him of undoubted excellence, a man is naturally prompted, if not to compete with others, at any rate to improve the quality of his own stock. If desirous of breeding for any particular purpose, ho can learn readily whero to find the most suitable mate required. Then, again, the usual discussions among stock-owners —their arguments and interchange of ideas and experiences generally —by extending their knowledge, invariably tend to their mutual advantage. For young people, too, it is a splendid school; not only is a boy prompted to ask questions, but, his interest being aroused, ho can see and study for himself while overhearing tho criticisms of his eldors. From tho exhibits of farm implements, machinery, dairy produce, fruits, vegetables, root crops, seeds, and sundries generally, like benefits are conferred on all interested. More particularly is this seen to greater advantage at an annual winter show, such as that initiated some years ago by the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, when exhibits from a much larger area —m some cases from all parts of the Dominion— aro brought together. Commercially these shows aro of great valuo to the community, affording, as tliey do, such a splendid display of its principal staples'. They aro tho means of bringing together people from distant parts of the country, and when the different counties compete as to which can show the finest collection of commodities produced in : their respective districts, a larger number attend, eager to inspect and criticise. By these competitions each district is encouraged in all branches of agriculture to produce and exhibit of its best, and the annual display at the show is, therefore, useful, not only in enabling one to see in which classes the greater progress is being made, but also in revealing'the products for which a district is best adapted. In olasses connected with tho dairying industry, in which Now Zealand so largely and successfully competos with other countries, it is pleasing and instructive to witness the exhibits of factories from all parts of the Dominion. Combined frith the presence of duly-qualified dairy instructors, who impart usoful information 011 the subject, _ this feature of the show is a boon to all interested in that industry. So, too, regarding the frozen meat trade. In tho sheep classes 'there arc special sections for "those most suitable for freezing; and as theso are always judged by some well-recognised authority, laree numbers gather to note the stamp and condition most recommended,

To go further into those details is, I think,. hardly necessary; suffico it to say that no one interested in any of these pursuits can attend such a show without learning something. Those I have referred to, while only a few of the beneficial effects, are yet sufficient, I trust, to' demonstrate the magnitude of the benefits conferred by these associations on tho agricultural and pastoral interests of the Dominion, and since nil our oxports each year meet with greater and keener competition from tho outside 1 world, it is well that agricultural and pastoral associations should be encouraged and supported in their good work of raising the standard of our staple products.