PATRIOTIC SHOW

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 2858, 1 February 1916, Page 3

PATRIOTIC SHOW

THE I'EILDIWi FESTIVAL OPENED TO-BAY

IN THE VEItl BEST W

WEATHER

THE MEN WHO MADE IT

Ollicors for 1915-10.—President, Mr James Knight; vice-presidents, Messrs E. Goodbohere, I). 11. Outline, M.P., A. M. Ongloy ; lion, treasurer, Mr F. F. llaggitt; general committee, Messrs A. 11. Atkinson, V. A. Hnuk.s (Kiwiteu), l< , . Roddy (Awahuri), M. J. Booth, .J. W. Hramwell, W. 11. Brewstcr (Makino), Hugh Burrell, J. ti. Cobbo, A. Campbell" (Tuonui), C. C. C. Dernier (Cheltenham), A. E. Eglinton (Sanson), Gordon Elioft, C. livans, W. (i. Fry, X. (Norton. Wm. Orav (Colvlon), O. MeElroy (Haleonibe)," AY. S. Penny (Sanson), J. 11. I'errett (Sanson). W. J. Phillips (Sanson), AY. Reid (Makino), K. Sliort, V). A. Twig}; (Leo's Lino), l>. Ti. Younger (Cinder Hill); district conunitteej Messrs AY. P. Archibald (Ivaraniu Farm, Hastings), Letlibridge (Tncnkiiin). ,f. Strang (Glousklc, Mastei'ton), J. Wilson (Donlair, Fordoll) ; (secretin , v, Mr E. H. Fishor. CONiDITIONS JUST IIKiHT. Following some weeks ol lino weather, the day opened beautifully this morning for the inauguration of the Keikling ,A. and P. Show of 1910. A warm sun was tempered by a cool brcezo, and the weather conditions could hardly havo been more, pleasant. So far, so good. With so many slsutneh patriots on the. general committee, of the Association—some of them have already made the greatest and grandest saerilico for tho Empire it eoidd hardly havo been otherwise than that the Show should be a patriotic one. The committee unanimously decided that all profits made this year should be placed to the credit of the wounded and sick soldiers of New Zealand.

During the i>a.st twelve months in tho FoikliiiK district tin. , ruins have been so copious and so evenly distributed throughout the year, and the weather has been so mild, that (hi , rich lands on both sides of the town I'or man? miles back have been wearing (heir very best verdure. For this district that is saying a great deal It is natural that the stock should exhibit all the outward sign.'; of the prosperity of the land. Horses, cattle and particularly sheep in the pens are in excellent fettle, and seem to be as happy as the fortunate men who own the farms. The Show is true to its characteristic of reflecting tlio progress and wealth of the district. In some resects the splendid financial position of the country has adversely affected the Show. There is an appreciable falling away in t«je number of exhibits in the fat lamb pons this year. Farmers have been getting such high prices for lambs that sonic of them have neglected the Show. Still, the educative value of the Show suffered little. Dairy cattle classes have been very strongly supported, but pigs are, almost a negligible quantity. It is pleasing to see that tho womenfolk of the district have given hearty support to the home industries section. THE SOUTHDOWNS. Mr W. B. Andrew, of Maheno, Otago, judge of the purebred Southdowns, was the first to get some results of judging to tho secretary's office. In his section Mr Jas. Knight (President of tho Association) and Messrs Ellis Bros., of Bulls, were the chief, almost tho only, competitors. It must be regarded as ,t matter for regret that in this breed of sheep, which is so essential to the success of our fat lamb trade, there should be so noticeable a neglect in the competition. Unless the Southdown rams in use in breeding the fat lambs are of sound, robust constitution, and conformable to type, tho. trade' is bound to feel the effects sooner or later. Both the exhibitors whose names have been mentioned have done much more, than tho average farmer to improve the type of Southdown in the district, and, it might be added, in tho North Island. At the Show to-day Mr Knight had the better fortune, especially in the ram classes, getting three first awards out of four classes. In tho ewe classes, Messrs Ellis Bros, did not bring forward their entries, and Mr Knight had it all his own way. DAIRY CATTLE. There was nothing to be ashamed of in the dairy cattle pens, either in regard to the number of the exhibits or the quality of the beasts. For a long timo now this district, in fact, the whole Dominion, has shown favour to the Jersey breed for butter and cheese producing. This fact is emphasised particularly at Show time. Jerseys almost monopolise the pons at the dairy cattle site. Breeders have been so careful for many years past, and the competition has been so keen, that it is most difficult to show any improvement in the breed. If the cows hold their own with the standard of previous Shows, they do very well. This year it is tho opinion oi ; those interested that they are as good as ever. Jerseys have never had undisputed control of the dairy industry. Holstein cattle have been pressing their claims here for some years, but ifa cannot be said they are making headway against the Jersey. Another breed, however, is coming back to a position which it held long ago, and that is the milking Shorthorn. This dual purpose beast is expected to become more and more popular amongst dairymen. At the Show there was a most satisfactory entry, and this fact indicates that tho milking Shorthorn is here to stay.

_ When the Feiildirig Show Association was started, it, wes meant primarily to be ■;». farmers' show. For several years iho farmers' classes received most aMenitiou, hufc gradually the breeder has spread himself across the live-stock pens, and now the ordinary farrr.er feels he is very much out of it. "Look at tilroso dairy cows," remarked a farmer this morning. "They a/re entered as grade Jerseys, but they are bred by a man who breeds purebreds. What rhance has the ordinary farmer against him?" There is something sifcill to be said on both sudes of the argumeuit. but the farmer should bo encouraged to secure th« best animals iho ca.n afford for his dairy herd. It is by comparing his cows with those "grade" stock tfhn<t he learns things. SOME CHAMPINOSHIPS. This morning the following ohampiomships were awarded : — Hereford Bull —Mr/E. Short's Thermometer, by Barometer (imp.). Hereford Cow. —Mr E. Short's Happy Rosa, by Hampton. Ayrshire BuH.—Mr J. MoFarland's Lord Glenliam 111,, by Lord Glasgow I J. 1. I Ayrshire Cow —Mr T. H. Colpman's en'bry. Holatein Bull.—Mr IV. I. Lovelock's King of Doininos. Holstei'n Cow—Mr W. I. Lovelock's Lady Leg is Van CI ere. Shorthorn Cow.—Mr W. H. Gibson's Beokfiold Counters, by Lord Connaught sth Jersey Bull.—Mr F. J. Watson's The Owl's Victor, by Myrtle Boy. Jersey Cow.—Mr C, Cr. C. Dernrer's I'Jiri/i.neiiit's Maggie, by Eniineni's Fonlaiue 428. lloiiiuey Ram.—Mr J. Corps's entry. Southdown Ram. —Mr J. Knight's I'll I ry. Southdown Ewe. —Mr J. Knight'a (iitry. HARNESS HOKSKB. Mr O. Nelson, Tomoana, Han'ke's !!;iy. judged the harness horses. Most ■ >! Im work will bo done 10-monow, but from animals h<> o\iuiiincd to-day lie w;is ;ib!o to say that tho expected has happened. Motor-ars have run ■ the harness horse nearly oif the road, I and the natural eoneerruenee is that

tho breed has deteriorated. Horses nowadays have not the constitution and appearance they bore not so many wars ago. Those ~n Miw • I'odding Show were a good average ol horses found in the pri/.criug nowadays.