LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 912, 25 January 1868, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. Sir,— l see that the Hawke's Bay Agricultural Society is giving signs of awaking out of the torpor which it enjoys for about ten months out of twelve. 1 do not think that, unless the society can exhibit a little more vitality, it is worth maintaining ; at least, it should reduce its pretensions, and become a pastoral society, or, more simply still, a sheep-breeding societj^. I was present at the show last year, and was most grievously disappointed. Of sheep there was a fair variety, and, altogether, a pretty good show ; of horses and cattle, a moderate sprinkling; of pigs a few ; but nearly everything else pertaining to an agricultural show was wanting, or nearly so. This show was held in March, and we have heard no more of the society until very recently ; but now in January another show is announced. I do not wish to throw cold water upon the efforts of any society, which tend in any way, however remotely, to forward the agricultural interests of this province or colony. The show last year was at some disadvantage, in consequence of its following immediately after three days' racing ; but it certainly did not appear to me as if any effort had been made to produce anything more than an exhibition of stock. Now it may be (and I am inclined to think it is) impracticable to get up even a passable exhibition of agricultural implements and produce ; but, if so, I think it would be better to abandon that branch of the society's pretensions, and announce it as a pastoral society. The ludicrously meagre display of produce and of implements last year, must have caused some disappointment to those who did take the trouble to exhibit. It certainly does seem to me that, in a young settlement like this, there is a necessity for something more than a mere society of sheep-breeders, although I fully admit that the staple produce of the province is entitled to the place of precedence. I most decidedly object to the one annual gathering coming at the tail end of the race-meeting, when most people have exhausted their holidays and their energies. I am a farmer myself, and I often feel the want of some means by which we can each compare notes with our neighbours. All farmers in this country must experience difficulties arising from the local peculiarities of soil, climate, &c. By comparing notes, each will help his neighbour in avoiding some of the quicksands ; but farmers are generally busy, and have not many opportunities of comparing notes except with immediate neighbours. We have no markets as they have at home ; and therefore any society or organisation which would bring all together occasionally, would confer a benefit. To a considerable extent, each farmer in this country is an experimentalist ; but, unfortunately, the result of his experiments is often locked up in his own bosom. Now and then a stern necessity may stir up a little spirit of co-operation (such as that which resulted in the artesian wells). In larger communities, a Farmer's Journal, or Agricultural Express, would to some extent supply the want ; but here, I fear, any publication of that kind would not -meet with: -sufficient support. I think, however, Mr. Editor, you might confer a benefit on the agriculturists by devoting a portion of your space, say once a week, or once a month, to communications and extracts on agricultural subjects, a plan which is followed with great advantage by those excellent papers, the Australasian and the Melbourne Leader, lam aware, that your columns are liberally open to all such communications ; but I think, by making it a special feature, you would draw out some correspondents, who, without literary talent, might yet have much useful practical information to communicate. — I am, &c, An AgtEicultubist.