PALMERSTON SHOW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19697, 26 January 1926, Page 4

PALMERSTON SHOW.

A SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE. PIiEA FOR PURER BREEDING. The Palmerston-Waihemo A. and P. Association's Annual Show, held last week, was in many ways the most successful of the smaller country fixtures I have visited this season. Interest was keen, and entries w-?re good. The weather helped the show a lot, and allowed the neat little showground to fill up well. The association is fortunate in having such a good site with so many natural advantages There are several old-established families in the district whose names have figured in the prize-list for many years now, and these have done much to keep alive interest/ which in many of the Otago societies has been at a low ebb this summer. The (trey-haired old timers, usually nltrapeasimiatic on the subject of the-- rising generation, who anticipate show-day eagerly, have struck a true note, when they attribute waning interest to the indiffereneo of the young people of to-day. Too often, whene the Grim Reaper has removed tho old enthusiasts, there are none to carry on thfe good work. Why this should bo so is difficult to understand, as there is everything to gain and nothing to lose by the breeding of good stock. A well-known and successful pioneer of this district stood by a bunch of animals at, Palmerston on Friday and said more in sorrow than in anger, "D'ye see they animals? Thai; breed is 50-yeaf-old an it's a day, and they've never been imwroved since old —■— died, 15 year ago. That young dog who got the place has done nothing.'' That, is the plaint of the passing age, and its appeal io tho* following after is for a greater, keener, more personal interest- in the work that lias been passed on to them by those who toiled wearily and long to provide thenisnlves wit,h a heritage worthy to be passed on to their children. The Waihemo County is wonderfully well adapted to the breeding of almost all r'iioses of stook. Mr H. Little, of Hui Hui, one of th« really famous breeders of our country, visited the district last week, and was amazed at the .facilities and advantages of the HMriot. "We know all about your stonk," he said, "but we had no idea of the land on which you worked. Why, fcliis limeMone country in the greatest bane-builder I know." There it. is! The district is ominentlv suited to fche requirements of stud-masters, 'and the studs in the distriofc are" not improving sufficiently on the standards attained by the early aetUers.

It is useless to take a given number of! males and females, mate them and rear the progeny irrespective of their truoness to type, or their possession or otherwise of the characteristics of their breed. Culling and judicious mating are the first principles of breeding, and without them type goes by the board and a flock or head is eventually ruined. This would appear to be the case in many studs in Waihemo. Frequently one could see in the pens and rings faults and blemishes which could bo obviated by means of culling. There is a wealth of material in this district for the careful breeder to work on, and if these rudiments of breeding were adopted it would be hard to find a district which could be more aptly termed; the “Dominion’s stud farm.” The most outstanding performance for the day was that of Mr J. A. Johnstone, who carried all before him in the three branches of breeding in which he is interested—Shorthorns, Corriedales, and Clydesdales. In all cases the opposition was not strong, though in some instances it was numerically so. The Corriedale has been this breeder’s hobby for many years, and there are at his Bushey Park Instate some of the finest specimens to be found in New Zealand. This animal has much to commend it to farmers, and the breed is becoming increasingly popular as it become better known and more clearly understood. Its long, low, lengthy body, with its pleasing depth, gives promise of an excellent shear and satisfactory carcase worth. Mr Johnstone’s bunch at the show were exceptional, and made me want to go and see what else he has at Bushey Park. In one ease he was beaten by Mr G. Stone in the class. These animals have done a lot of travelling this season, and brought home many laurels. Mr George Ross supplied the merino section, and was unopposed, which was a great pity, considering the importance of these sheep, and the number to be found in the neighbourhood. The Romneys came from Mr G. F. Overton’s farm, and were a fair bunch. There was little in the quality of the others presented to cause him any anxiety. The Border Leicesters were a mixed lot, and though they were generally admired, one ventures to wonder how they would face in the best company. In all these sections there were defects and departures from type, which could be eliminated very easily, and should be, as they will invariably be sufficient to turn away discriminating buyers. There are some excellent dairy cattle in these districts, arid those shown on Friday had mostly been seen at Waikouaiti and Waitati, while many won honours at Oamaru. Jerseys, Friesians, and Ayrshires were all good. The entries were numerous, and the interest shown was very noticeable. Mr D. Wright had some fine examples of the Islands breeds, and Messrs C. and J. Nieolson deserved every success with the black and Whites. The Ayrshires came from a variety of sources, and honours were well distributed. The beef Shorthorns brought glory to the name of Bushey Park. All over the world to-day thrifty and discerning housewives are demanding “baby beef,’’ that beef which grows quickly and has a minimum of fat and gristle. The old and effete type represented by the great lumbering ox nas now given way to tne neat, compact, and rectangular shaped animal with a maximum of good meat which grows quickly and is thus tender and palatable. The Bushey Park stock are fine examples of this type, combining some of the purest and best strains in Scotland. Bushey Park Augusta’s Hero is the son of Eagecote Hero, a £IO,OOO sire. None contested Mr Johnstone’s supremacy in this department, but who would could loam much from this display. The horse classes wore not as strong as many expected, but good horseflesh always claims a lot of attention. The Clydesdales, apart from a large Bushey Park entry, were not out of the ordinary, and many could not be described othefwise than nondescript. They have not been bred for show purposes, and show many defects, which, however, do not affect farm efficiency to any great degree. A useful handy animal too often is the gaol and pure strain is neglected. Of thoroughbreds there were few. but hackney and ponies were preesnt in abundance. The. quality was good and bad, but as there is a “worse corner on every road,” we must have a tail at every show. The “doggie men” came out in force, and brought their faithful helpers in large numbers. There have always been good dogs in Waihemo, and men who know good animals, and the judge must have felt a good deal of perplexity in trying to separate the best entries. The wool-growing capabilities of the district were amply demonstrated by an exhibition of wool of various classings, which would be welcomed by any broker and rushed by buyers. This section of the show was a worthy one, and was inspected by a largo number of critics whose opinions of the displays were as many as they were varied. For once the feminine entrants were not predominant. In _ some classes there were no entries and in others there was no competition. Speaking of the butter display, the judge said there was a marked absence of salt in some of tho churnings. The Palmerston society is Messed with a good membership, passing enthusiastic, and in this lies to a great extent the success of the show. Members willing to bring along entries are assets to any asooiation, and though unuocessful must derive a certain amount of instruction and information from the assembled stock of the neighbourhood. Criticism and the remarks of those who have been chosen as judges is worth following up, and in this lies one of the greatest ucfvantagfß of tho show system.