DUTIES OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3699, 23 May 1883, Page 4

DUTIES OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

The Federal Australian makes the following remarks on the duties of agricultural societies :— Agricultural societies, as a rule, have oidy limited incomes, and the want of means often contracts their operations. If, instead of devoting so much money as prizes for live stock, they were to expend more in other directions, we venture to think that a great deal more good would be done. There are many instances that would prove suitable to particular districts, if fairly tried, and any expenditure incurred by societies in endeavoring to develop them would be money wisely invested. The great evil of farming in this part of the world is to depend too much upon cereal crops, their cultivation being very uncertain, owing to the nature of the climate. In time they will doubtless bo supplanted by other crops that are better adapted to the local conditions, and it should bo the aim of tho various agricultural societies to assist in bringing about desirable changes. This object may be attained, in a great measure, by offering liberal prizes for produce that can be raised in a particular district, and which is likely to prove a profitable farming industry. . . A consideration in arranging for agricultural shows should bo the inclusion in the schedules of prizes that will stimulate tho various farming industries that are suitable to a particular district. One of the weakest points in the present system is the great sameness of agricultural shows, and that the exhibits are chiefly confined to live stock. Because it has been considered the orthodox thing to offer prizes for particular exhibits year "after year, the managers of most of the societies appear to be quite content to folloAV in tho groove prepared for them, without consideration. They are too often inclined to go on as they have been doing, without taking the trouble to consider whether better results could not be obtained by leaving- tho beaten tracks and talcing fresh departures. . . . Then, again, a society might greatly benefit its members and district by collecting and publishing useful information regarding the preparation of crops that are but little known, but which might prove profitable.