THE COMING AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1033, 12 August 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE COMING AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

We have considerable gratification in directing the attention of our readers to the programme of the Annual Show of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association published in another part of this paper. It will be observed that the Show will be held for two days, as has been the case for a few years past. The attempt to confine it to one day was fortunately frustrated by the decided action of the Committee in adhering to the rules of the Association. The change to one day, if effect had been given to such a course, would have been a grave mistake ; lowering the prestige of the Association, and depriving the exhibition of much of its educational benefit, as it undoubtedly would have done. Indeed, our opinion is that before many years elapse it will be found necessary to extend the show to three days, so as to do justice to the increased number of exhibits which will be the result of a spirited and liberal management of the Association, and the increased facilities afforded by the railways and the Government to exhibitors of live stock and implements from other districts of the Middle Island. Oamaru, from its central position and the high class character of many of its productions, should attract exhibitors, agriculturists, and stockowners desirous of information and the acquisition of animals to promote the improvement of their studs, and visitors generally. To encourage this desirable result should be the aim of the Association, and nothing would tend more to develope it than adding another day to the exhibition, to be devoted to the sale and purchase of prize animals and other exhibits, and to the holding of meetings for the discussion of agricultural subjects. It will also be noted that the offering of Cups to the largest prize-takers in various classes is to be continued as heretofore. We expected to see adopted some modification of the system by which these cups are awarded, so as to remove the objectionable features that give umbrage and dissatisfaction to a large number of the members of the Association, We hope, however, w r hen the question comes on for discussion and settlement at the next annual meeting of the Association that the giving of cups wall be continued on a plan so equitably and fairly arranged that the opponents to these prizes will be deprived of any just cause of complaint; for we unquestionably affirm that without such a stimulus as the honor of winning a cup, the exhibits at our annual show will become " smaller and smaller by degrees, and beautifully less" every successive year. The programme, as published, al- [ though imperfect and capable of great improvement, is still very liberal and well arranged, and we trust, despite the gloomy forebodings of many of the members, that the Show of 1879 will show progression on those of former years both in the number and quality of the exhibits. A new feature of interest has been added by the offering of a piece of plate or cup to the largest prize-taker in poultry, a class of exhibits hitherto very poorly represented at o,ur

shows. In the absence of any distinct poultry show such as obtains in other places, we do hope that this desire on the part of the Committee to encourage the exhibition of poultry will have a good effect, and that no longer will the paltry and miserable show of poultry form a topic of ridicule and sarcasm to the reporters of the Press and to visitors from a distance. The division of the exhibition of grain into the two classes of growers and dealers is also a great improvement, and we look forward with interest to the keen competition which is likely to take place in both these classes. The value of the pieces of plate or cups to be awarded amounts to upwards of L 230, and is made up of one of thirty guineas, seven of twenty guineas, and five of ten guineas. There will be offered four gold medals of ten guineas each, twentythree gold medals of five guineas each, two hundred and four silver medals, and two hundred and four bronze medals, making up a total prize-list of over L6OO. The Show, as will be noted, takes place on the 20th and 21st of November, and the entries are to be received up to the 6th of the same month. We desire on behalf of the Committee to draw specific attention to these dates, and wish intending exhibitors would bear in mind the inconvenience arising from procrastination in making their entries. It is laid down as an absolutely rigid instruction to the Secretary that no entries shall be received after the date mentioned ; and however disagreeable it may be to refuse entries after the hour of closing, there will be no alternative. We have frequently in our long experience of shows heard non-exhibitors remarking that they had far better animals and articles on their farms than many on the show ground, and doubtless in many instances these assertions were true. Our advice to all such people is—Bring them forward for comparison, and verify your opinions by results. If the majority of our agriculturists and stockowners were only actuated by enthusiasm and delight in their several occupations, with a laudable desire to be noted for excellence of management, we are convinced the shows of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association would assume dimensions and an importance second to none other in New Zealand, With the expression of a hope that this desirable esprit de corps will be more generally manifested, we close our remarks on the coming Show of 1879.