WINTER SHOW PRIZE ESSAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15822, 22 July 1913, Page 6

WINTER SHOW PRIZE ESSAYS

Following axe the essays placed first. n\ order of merit in Classes I and II in connection with the recent Winter- Khow. The title was "The Winter Show."

Class 1. A sunny day, a fresh breeze, flags flying, and a happy excitement all combined to nuke my journey to the show a pleasant one'. Outside the large building people were flocking -round the ticket offices pur- ' chasing their tickets. Inside was all bustle 1 and noise, slightly confusing at first, but ; full of interest. The cattle and sheep were being criticised and praised by experienced [ farmers and wondered at by'the dweller* of the citv. These splendid animals had i evidently been reared by owners who wero determined to have no scond-class stockmen who were prepared to 6pare no pains to obtain the very best results. The meat expoited from New Zealand will not be of inferior quality. Many machines, such as oil engines, milking machines, and eheepshearing machines, were on view, some working with a great clattering noise and some, especially the milking machines, the centre of . attraction to farmers who owned large herds of cows. The old methods of manual labour are being discarded in favour of these mechanical devices, and the.work can now be done under mon pleasant circumstances and in a much shorter time. Stylish buggies and gigs were also on exhibition; but the mot'«r cars, thcec triumphs of invention, were thought more of because of their greater speed, for the business man of to-day wishes to do his work in the shortest possible time. The farmers' exhibits of .turnips, carrots, and mangolds were proof that the soil in which they were grown was most suitable for the cultivation and growth of root crops. The lower storey was almost entirely an exhibition of machinery meant to assist workers in their labour, while in the upper fitorv was a display of the products of that labour. So, having finished my inspection of the former, I proceeded to view the latter. A special room was set apart for the Government Department's exhibit, and the first object, to catch my eye was the lucerne hay and the ensilage, and they told me that here again modern ways and new methods were being used. The Weraroa Farm forwarded samples of fancy cheeses, while from Wacrenga came bottles of wine, vinegar, and mead. . Evidently the luxuries of life will not need to be all imported in the future. The value of scientific methods in agriculture was clearly demonstrated by the most interesting exhibit of the results of co-operative field experiments with wheat, oats, tubers, forage plants, etc., and of the specimens 'A grasses, grains, fruit, etc., sent from the experimental farms. These exhibits are of the highest importance, not only to farmere, to whom thev teach many lessons, but to the dominion as a whole, for our future depends on a sensible use of the land. I was aroused bv the loud crowing of roosters and the quacking of drakes and ducks from the Milton Poultrv Farm, while close at hand was the phormium flax and its finished productions. , . Chief among the displays of agricultural and dairy produce were the farmers bays, which were simply marvellous both in their arrangement and in the great variety of goods displayed. They proved that, given good land, energetic workers, and sensible methods, splendid returns axe possible. Placed on long tables and stands we-e first-class cheese, yellow butter in pats and pretty fancy designs, . most tempting honey/cakes and apples, loaves and scenes, fowls, bacon and hams' and neks of wheat, oats, barley, etc., all bearing testimony to the industry of the people of Otago and the_ fertiltiy of the

soil. The latest siyies oi imu"«" — set cut as in furnished rooms, and were much admired; the beautiful jewellery erlistcued in glass cases; sew.ng machines were tried; lovely specimens of Natures handiwork filled the floral stall, to which many were attracted by the delicious perfume of the violets; while on a 1 sides .were stalls of fancy goods and side shows. This exhibition brought people from far and near, taught many lessons, brought into notice new inventions and methods, gave one an idea of the industries and productions of Otago, increased trade, and brought into close contact the country and' city, to the advantage of both. Class 11. Throughout the first week of June two topics of conversation engrossed the Dunecliii public—the visit of the New Zealand and the Dunedin Winter Show-events which attracted many country visitors. In the absence of the Prune Minister the show was officially opened by the Hon. H. D. Bell. " ~,. , , On entering the building enormous buli™t=.which if released, would probably

create a stampede, attracted attention, yet when the pipe band in the vicinity sent forth its weird-strains, the docility of tnc cattle was remarkable. To alter tnc quotation we might say: "Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.' Tnc extraordinarily large sheep elicited the remark, "They're not sheep, but young bullocks It is to be feared that the sight of the prize pony caused many small boys to break the tenth commandment. The massive turnips and other useful roots demonstrated the advantages of intensive cultivation ; but owing to the past wet season the grain, although of excellent quality, showed a marked decrease in quantity. The fine display of dairy produce proved specially interesting to the country people; the artistic exhibit of fancy butter was appreciated by all, whilst the plump, welldressed poultry, together with the hams and bacon, recalled pleasant memories of Christmas. The excellent cooking exhibits, testified to the fact that in Otago the art of baking has not been forgotten; bi)t it occurred to me tlhat if the judge sampled all the specimens he would afterwards become a victim to acute indigestion.

The wonderful variety of products procured from a single farm was shown in the interesting exhibits of Messrs Willocks and Reed; but the amount of time and labour involved in preparation, doubtless, prevented many from competing. Another attractive feature was that of the Department of Agriculture, which has this year surpassed all previous efforts. Within a dome-shaped structure were characteristic views in the fruit and farming areas of the dominion, whilst on the exterior walls might be seen specimens of grasses and clovers grown by the Waitaki Boy's High School. The various diseases which" afflict the farmer's stock, the weeds he may profitably cultivate, and those injurious to his crops were also exhibited. The fine display of fruit from the Government experimental farms, together with a collection from all parts of the dominion, determined the best varieties for export, illustrated what can be done by cultivation and irrigation, whilst a fruit-packing demonstration was an object-lesson .to the orchardist. Other sections showed wine, vinegar, meade, and fancy cheese. Some) excellent sheaves of wheat and the fine specimens of domestic birds from the Milton Poultry Farm gave a finish to tho whole display. The Tourist Department's exhibit consisted o'f an attractive, display of trophies and views of the scenic beauties of the dominion, the whole revealing the natural resources of our country. Although the Olago Education Board had an excellent display, the small number of entries from the primary schools was perhaps, as was the case in our school, due to the allurements of tho noble game of football.

Downstairs were the various fanminpt implements—shearing awl milking machines, separators and fertilisers, all of which, owing to the difficulty in obtaining labour; prove of great benefit to the farmer, saving both time and money. The National Electrical Co.'s display comprised electrical specialities—radiators, hot plates and kettles, griJters, toasters, and last, but not least, the electric iron—all labour-saving devices which lessen the need of employing domestic help. The furniture exhibited by the various local firms showed their capability of manufacturing a really firstclass article, whilst the jewellery reflected great credit upon the makers. The magnificent array of motw oars evidently impressed our country visitors, for no less than £6000 was expended on these luxuries. This emphasises the fact that the prosperity of the farmer is undoubted. The Dmiedin Winter Show of 1913 has worthily sustained—even surpassed— the reputation of its predecessors; it has moved the wisdom of ite promoters, mutually benefiting town and country by bringing them into closer touch, thus increasing the happiness and prosperity of this portion of the dominion.