THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23058, 8 December 1936, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RU3TICUS.

llama •* intaraat t» thoae engaged in agricultural and pastor* pursuit*, with • viaw to their publication in theee column*, will be welcomed. Tbay abonld ba addrwed to Rvsticus, Otago Daily Timet. Dunediav

1936-37 SHOW SEASON ROSTER OF FIXTURES 1938 Agricultural and pastoral shows have been arranged for the 1936-d7 season as follows: — December 8 and 9.—Southland, at Invercargill. December 10.—Owaka. December 11 and 12.—Otago, at Tahuna December 18.—Clutha and Matau, at Balclutha. • .. ■ . December . 19.—Otago Peninsula, at Portobello. December 26.—Tuapeka, at Lawrence. 1937 January 9.—Blueskin, at Waitatl. January 16.—Walkouaitl. January 22.—Palmerston and Waihemo, at Palmerston. „ . , ■ March 6.—Upper Clutha, at Pembroke. March 10.—Lake County, at Lake Hayes, Arrowtown. March 20.—Temuka and Geraldlne, at Winchester. DOMINION WOOL SALES DATES AND ALLOCATIONS Dates of New Zealand wool sales for the 1936-37 gelling season, with the maximum aggregate quantities of wool which may be offered at the sales are as follows: — 1836 Bales. Dec. 9 Wellington 28,000 Dec. 14 Christchurch 27,000 Dec. 17 Timaru 20,000 Dec. 21 Dunedin 26.Q00 Jan. 11 Wellington 30,000 Jan. 16 Napier 30,000 Jan. 21 Wanganui 28,000 Jan. 25 Auckland 27,000 , Feb. 1 Christchurch 30,000 Feb. 5 Invercargill 26,000 Feb. 10 Dunedin 30,000 Feb. 19 Wellington . 30,000 Feb. 24 Napier 30,000 Mar. 1 Wanganui 28,000 Mar. 5 Auckland (No limit) Mar. 12 Christchurch 26,000 Mar. 16 Timaru (No limit) Mar. 19 Invercargill (No limit) Mar. 24 Dunedin 30,000 Apr. 3 Wellington 25,000 Apr. 8 Napier (No limit) Apr. 12 Wanganui (No limit) Apr. 16 Christchurch (No limit) Apr, 20 Dunedin (No limit) Apr. 24 Wellington (No limit) WYNDHAM SHOW A WELL-BALANCED DISPLAY FINE QUALITY DAIRY CATTLE CLYDESDALES ATTRACT ATTENTION

The Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Society fully maintained its reputation for conducting one of .the best one-day country shows in Otago and Southland,; ine. <:f)|xtuje being well up to the standard of the best in previous, years. A slight falling off in entries was noticed* but this did noi:affect the. quality of the display, which; was truly representative of the varied breeding activities el the progressive farmers of the district. The attendance was also large, and the gate receipts approached very closely the. record for the society. The opinion of the public in general and visitors from considerable distances was well summed up by a remark of the Clydesdale; judge, Mr R. G." Lockhart, of Clarksville, who commended the district on its Wellappointed showgrounds and the high standard of the exhibits in all sections. For a country district, he said, he did not know of any show of similar size which equalled or exceeded that staged annually at Wyndham. When the magnitude of the task of cohducting such a representative show on one day is considered, it is surprising that the society has had the courage to attempt such an effort for a one-day gathering, but it is probable that the executive has shown considerable prudence in refusing to yield to some pressure to spread the show over two days, since the public available in a country centre is rather limited to support a two-day show, with its greatly-increased expense. It is generally agreed that the society succeeds admirably under the present arrangement, and while any substantial development in the size of the show must necessarily bring with it increased pfoblems in management, it does not appear that any change is required in the immediate future. Records of the early years reveal that in 1882 the total entries for the show, which then included such nowdiscarded sections as pigs, bacon, poultry, and implements, were 342. which is little more than a third of thfc total for to-day's fixture. Progress has been steady, and in recent years the entries have hovered ro'ind about the thousand mark. To-day's total was 908, compared with 1003 last year, but the decline is probably accounted for by the fact that broken weather throughout the spring and early summer has so delayed cultivation and shearing that during recent weeks farmers have had few opportunities for preparing stock for showing. The large attendance indicated that there is no falling off in interest in stock exhibition, and the close inspections made of the exhibits in all sections showed that farmers were alive to the value of the show as a check on correct breeding activities.

THE DISTRICTS ADVANTAGES. It would be difficult to select any "section which overshadowed the rest of the show or in which any special weakness was apparent. Few districts have such natural advantages for show purposes in combining such an aggregation of varied breeding activities. In the immediate vicinity of Wyndham and on the nearby Edendale plains are to be found the leading centres of cattle breeding activities in the Southland province. Each of the leading popular breeds has its several devotees in the district, and, without going beyond a short radius it is possible to select cattle which would make a very creditable exhibition in any part of the South Island. Most of these breeders were represented to-day and the standard of the rings in the various classes was admirable and could have given points to the larger Gore show earlier in the week. One notable absentee from competition was Mr A. M. Weir, whose Ayrshire cattle have attained a national reputation. With many Royal Show championships to his credit. Mr Weir is now withdrawing to some extent from exhibition as he feels that the presence of his stock tends to restrict competition. Two other well-known studs carried on the tradition of the breed, and as both arc backed by imported sires the standard was high.

Sheep-breeding activities carried on extensively on the roiling pastures to the east of Wyndham were well represented. There were good entries of the various pure breeds, but there was scarcely a good entry of crossbred sheep to indicate the quality of the high-grade flocks which the district possesses. Both draught and light horses were entered in large numbers, and the quality was excellent. HORSES CLYDESDALES In the Clydesdale section the progeny of the well-known champion entire Scotland's Superb, which has now retired from competition, was particularly successful, securing a championship and reserve award and four first prizes, indicating that this fine horse has thrown stock of good Clydesdale quality. The progeny of Roseprint was also successful in annexing several awards. The male championship was awarded to Mr W. Chittock's imported sire Netherton Mac, which again gave the impression that it would develop into one of the best show horses in Southland. Rising four year old, this horse has yet ample opportunities for development which will make him a still more attractive show horse than he is at present. Charles Milne and Sons secured second award in the mature entire class with Crossley Sensation. The reserve award went to D. S. Brown's Verdlea Moonlight, which is having a successful circuit of southern shows. This fine young son of Scotland's Superb shows characteristics similar to the champion, and promises to develop into a first-class sire. He was exhibited without competition in the three-year-old colt class. In the two-year-old colt class two gets of Scotland Superb contended for the principal award, Mr Alexander Noble securing the red ticket, with Verdlea Select, while Mr George Gray was placed second with an unnamed colt. Only one entry was forward in the yearling class, and D. Hopkins was awarded a red ticket for Mr D. Hopkins's Lawfleld Print, for which is predicted ' a particularly promising career.

There was better competition among the females. Mr Noble was the only exhibitor in the brood mare class with two mares bred from Sir Leslie, the first award going to a daughter of May Hazelwood, which secured the reserve championship at Gore earlier in the week. The champion was found in the dry mare class, the award going to Mr D. Caldwell's Inglemere Doreen, by Scotland's Superb, a mare with a beautiful top line, with good feet and carriage and a splendid action. Second award and reserve championship was secured by Mr Noble's May Hazelwood, which repeated its similar success at Gore. The same exhibitor secured third award in the class with Verdlea Vera. There were no three-year-old fillies, but a splendid class of two-year-olds was forward. Mr Caldwell secured the red ticket with Inglemere Orange Blossom, by Scotland's Superb, a filly of fine quality of bone, good feet and ankles, nice carriage, and a splendid action. Mr Noble secured second award with Verdlea Polly, and Mr Caldwell third ticket with another daughter of Scotland's Superb. In a ring of eight attractive yearling fillies Mr Caldwell had another success with Inglemere Mona, one of the first daughters of Mr James Logan's imported Craigie Crest to be seen in this district. The same exhibitor secured third, award, while Mr Noble's Verdlea Forly was placed second. All three fillies were of splendid quality and promised well for the district as breeding mares. The gelding classes were won by Mr Noble. In the working classes Mr Caldwell and Mr Noble were the chief competitors, and the chief awards were divided between them fairly evenly. LIGHT HORSES There was a small entry of thorough? breds. Mr C. G. Kirby's Black Silk was the only entry in the entire class. Mr A. Oliver secured first and second awards in the gelding or dry mare class with Reka Manu, which was awarded the championship, and Nui. The male championship was awarded to Mr James Johnston's Daybreak, by Full Feather out of Queen of Rain, exhiibited in the yearling class, and Mr Gordon Cameron secured the second award and reserve championship with another get by Full Feather. There were good entries in the trotting and pacing sections. Todd Brothers were awarded the male championship with the imported Arion Axworthy, while Mr I. Home's Royal Silk secured the reserve award. The brood mare class was won by Mrs Et Todd with Trixie Bell, while Mrs A. A. Wilson secured second and third awards in the class with Marion Drive and Rose Lee respectively. Mr E. Frame was awarded the red ticket with Bonnie Lass, by Worthy Bond, in the two-year-old class, second award going to Mrs C. C. Herbert. The yearling class produced 11 entries, Mr A. Sinclair's unnamed progeny of Worthy Bond being placed first, with Mr Noble's Lady Lassie and Todd Brothers' Arion Axworthy progeny second and third respectively. The female champion was found in the standard-bred trotting dry mare class, the ribbon being annexed by Mr P. Marson's Bellbird, by Western Don, out of a Bellman mare. The reserve award went to the first prize pacing mare, Mr A. I. Stirling's; Dolly Truman. The carriage* or hackney section was well filled and attracted considerable attention, the competition being very keen and the horses of gooc type and action. The harness mare or gelding championship went to Miss G. Jones's Skipper. Prominent prize-winners in the section in addition to the champions: were Messrs A. Oliver (Nui and Reka Manu), F. F. Leckie (Trooper), A. G. Ross (Lady Bird), L. Jones, J. A. Taylor, and C. Hughes. In the pony section, Mr E. Rabbidge secured the male championship and the reserve award. Mr A. Duncan, jun., carried off the female ribbon and Joan Williamson the reserve award. Prominent prize-winners in the section were Miss Williamson's Trixie, Messrs E. Rabbidge (Dolly) G. D. Sutherland (Royal Duchess), A. R. Johnston (Nothing Nicer and Mirrah), Alan Duncan, jun. (Nigger Boy and Trixie), Bruce Hunter, L. Jones (Darky), Andrew Heads (Trixie), and H. Blackmore (Something Better and Chance). THE CATTLE In the cattle section there were no entries of milking Shorthorns or Red Polls, competition being confined to Jerseys, Ayrshires, Friesians, and crossbred:;. JERSEY Mr Rolf Clark was the only exhibitor in the cow-in-milk class, in which he secured the championship and reserve award. The chief ribbon went to Kyledale Patricia, a lengthy cow with a good vessel, while the same exhibitor secured the next award with Jersey Brae Sunny Morn. Mr W. R. Ireland's Waipeko Direction was exhibited alone in the dry-cow class, and was awarded a red ticket. In the three-year-old heifer class Mr Clark's Iris Lizette was placed first. Three good two-year-olds in milk were exhibited, Mr Clark securing first and third award and Mr Ireland second. Mr Clark was also the winner of both senior and junior yearling classes. There was little competition in the bulls Mr Clark secured the championship with Beechlands Red Flag, an attractive bull with excellent top line and type. The reserve award went to Mr H. Gibb's Grant'on Ringleader. Mr R M'Caughan .exhibited successfully Marinoto Mascot in the two-year-old class, while Mr Alan Clark's Kyledale Paddy secured second ticket. The

senior yearling class was won by Mr Clark's Beechlands Ronald, while Mr Ireland's Major Barnes was second. The breeder's group class was won by Mr Clark with an excellent group headed by the champion bull. AYRSHIRE Messrs R. S. Weir and T. G. Dobbie had the Ayrshire section to themselves, but both breeders brought forward a number of creditable animals of fine breeding qualities and excellent dairy type. In the cow-in-milk class, which provided excellent competition, was found the champion. Mr Weir's Allandale Trixie 111, by his imported Harnelbell Crusader, a cow possessing a beautiful udder and of good balance. Mr Dobbie exhibited the second and third prizetakers. First and second awards in the dry-cow class went to exhibits by Mr Dobbie, a very good cow entered by Mr Weir being placed third on account of a faulty vessel. The winning three-year-old heifer was Mr Weir's Allandale Beulah, also by Harnelbell Crusader, and was awarded the (reserve championship. The two-year-old heifer in milk class and the senior and junior yearling classes were won by Mr Weir, Mr Dobbie securing the red ticket in the two-year-old dry heifer class. Mr Weir exhibited the only bull in the section, this being Dairy Man, a senior yearling by Hobsland Senator. FRIESIAN

The Friesian section was extremely strong. Mr J. H. Dunn exhibited the champion cow, Willowburn Primrose, which was shown in the dry cow class. This was an excellent Friesian type, with a good deep body. The second award in the class was taken by A. and R. Udy, and third place by Mr R. H. Dickie. In the cow in milk class. Mr Dickie secured the reserve championship with the winning cow, Lauderdale Lady Delhurst, while Udy Brothers were placed second. Mr Dickie was only exhibitor in the three-year-old heifer class, showing Lauderdale Bonnv Zozo. Mr J. Brown secured first award in the two-year-old class, while Mr Dickie was placed second and third. The senior yearling class was won by Mr Dickie with Lauderdale Susan Burkeyje, while Udy Brothers secured second and third awards. They were winners of the junior yearling class with Lelburne Princess Eunice, Mr J. Brown's heifers being awarded second and third prizes. The champion bull was Mr Dickie's Lauderdale Marcena Burkeyje. by Springbank Zozo Marcena. which was beginning to show signs of age. Second award in the mature class went to Mr Dunn's Ohio King Quality. The reserve champion was found in the two-year-old class, the ribbon being taken by Udy Brothers' Lelburne Royal Leader. The same exhibitors secured third award in the class, while the second ticket went to Mr J. Brown In the yearling class Mr Dickie's Lauderdale Burkeyje Monarch was awarded the red ticket, Mr Brown securing second award with Newark Royal Champion. Mr Dickie exhibited the only breeder's group. CROSSBRED The crossbred cattle attracted some attention, as they were shown in excellent condition and displayed good dairy type. Mr F. S. M'Donald showed the winning cow in milk, and Mr W. Thompson took the first award in the two-year-old section, Mr J. Dunstan having the only three-year-old entry. Christie Brothers showed two very nice senior yearlings, which received the first two awards. Mr R. H. Dickie secured the championship with a cow which was placed second.' in the cow in milk class, the winner of the class being not entered in the special championship class. SHEEP The sheep were a good representation of the activity of breeders of the district and the high quality of their flocks. The wool opened up very well considering the long wet season experienced in the south, the only defects being slight weaknesses in lustre and crimp. BORDER LEICESTER Messrs J. A. Edwards and P. Campbell were the only exhibitors of Border Leicesters, the former winning both championships and reserve ribbons. Mr Edwards's sheep were particularly attractive specimens of the English breed and were shown in splendid condition. His entries secured all the first prizes in the section.

ROMNEY MARSH The Romney Marsh section was well contested with entries of very good quality. The strongest competition was in the shorn classes and in the unshorn classes the wool opened up very well. The male champions were found in the aged ram class, the winner being exhibited by Mr D. Robertson. He was closely followed by an entry of Mr Peter Campbell's. Both were outstanding sheep and there was very little between them. Mr Robertson also secured the ewe championship with an exceptionally fine sheep carrying a dense fleece of wool. Mr W. G. Ladbrook secured the reserve award with a very attractive ewe. The three breeders named divided most of the awards. SOUTHDOWN The Southland Frozen Meat Company was the chief exhibitor of Southdowns and brought forward a number of outstanding sheep of small, blocky carcass of ideal type for the breeding of fat lambs. The company exhibited both the male and reserve champions, which showed outstanding breeding qualities. The ewe championship went to the same exhibitor, while Mr Peter Campbell secured the reserve ribbon. SHROPSHIRE DOWNS Mr S. T. Evans was the most successful exhibitor of Shropshire Downs, bringing forward some splendid sheep, to which were awarded most of the red tickets. Mr J. S. Marshall also brought forward some creditable representatives of the breed. RYELAND Six very attractive specimens of Ryelands were shown by Mr S. T. Evans, whose persistence with this useful breed warrants more breeders taking an interest. His sheep were examples of the true Ryeland type. CROSSBRED Messrs Alexander Greenless and F. J. Wright were the chief exhibitors of crossbred sheep, and brought forward a number of flock sheep of splendid, useful type FAT SHEEP The fat sheep pens were filled with sheep of excellent quality. Particularly in the classes for export quality sheep and lambs were the exhibits praiseworthy with neat, blocky carcasses for the Smithfleld trade. The principal exhibitors who were freely mentioned in the prize-list were Messrs S. T.'Evans, F. J. Wright, Peter Campbell, J. Winter. F. Milne, H. Gibb, P. Jackson, J. Arnott, J. C. Ronald, and the Wyndham Racing Club.

rt£WS FROM CLUBS

The Roxburgh Club met on November 9 with an attendance of 13 members. After General business had been dealt with, Mr R. Glendining gave an interesting address on "Fruit Farming in General."

The final meeting of the season of the Lawrence Club was held on November 28. Nine members were present, and a general- discussion on club affairs took place.

The Middlemarch Club's meeting on November 19 was attended by nine members. General business concerning club activities was brought forward for consideration.

The first meeting of the South Island Council was held at Christchurch, on December 2, when there was a very representative meeting of District Committee delegates. Practically all Canterbury districts were represented, while members were also present from Otago, Southland and Marlborough. Mr A. C. Cameron, president, was in the chair. Apologies were received from a number of districts. Mr J. M. Smith. Department of Agriculture. Dunedin, reported on the formation of District Committees in Otago and Southland, and outlined club activities in those districts during the past few months. Mr R. M'Gillivray, Department of Agriculture, Christchurch, stated that some little difficulty was being experienced in forming some committees in Canterbury, but it was hoped that these would be finalised in the near future. Clubs were also active in Nelson anu Marlborough. Mr S, Freeman. Dominion organiser of the clubs, reported on the position of the clubs generally. He stated that there were now 59 clubs in the South Island, with a membership of 1300. and 55 clubs in the North Island, with a membership of 1200. making a total of 114 clubs with 2500 members. Mr Freeman stated that only 48 clubs had paid their affiliation fee for the current year, and he made an appeal for the outstanding fees. He mentioned that he hoped to visit all clubs next season and make personal contact with the members. The matter of transport of lecturers to clubs was discussed, and a recommendation was made to the Central Executive in this connection. Correspondence from the W.E.A. was read and it was decided to refe-r the matter of cooperating with this and similar organisations to the district committees for their action. A sub-committee was set up to go into the matter of future district surveys. It was decided to go into the question of organising camps for instruction for the clubs in various districts. Mr J. W. Calder. on behalf of Lincoln College, offered the facilities of the college for such a fixture. The possibilities are that two camps will be held during the coming season, one at Lincoln College and the other at a suitable centre in Otago. Messrs Holmes, Nutt, Whatman, and Grant were appointed the South Island representatives on the Central Executive. The future venue of the council meetings was discussed, and it was decided to hold meetings alternately at Christchurch and Dunedin. A number of remits from district committees were discussed and were forwarded on to the Central Executive for favourable consideration. On behalf of the clubs in the South Island. Mr Cameron made a presentation to Mr S. D. Blomfield in recognition of the good work he had done in connection with the clubs, practically since their inception. Clubs throughout Otago will join in extending to Mr Herbert Duff, of the Moa Flat Club, their heartiest congratulations on being selected for the New Zealand Refrigerating Company's scholarship. Mr Duff will take up

residence at Lincoln College early in January. The Lincoln College Old Students' Association Scholarship was won by a South Canterbury candidate. Mr J. W. T. Anstey. of the Hunter Club. A number of club members were present at the field day at the Burnside works on Saturday, when ,the judging of the fat lambs was carried out. It is interesting to note that the winning pen of lambs for the Meat Board's trophy was selected by Mr Bain, jun., of the Roxburgh Club, from his father's flock. Club members interested in growing certified seeds are reminded that entries for the certification of wheat, grass, and clovers close with the Department of Agriculture on December 17. A meeting of the South Otago District Committee of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs was held in the High School Balclutha, on November 27. The meeting was presided over by Mr G. Anderson, those present being: Messrs A. B. Stewart, Reid, Nicollson, Roy, and A. F. Greenall. a visitor being Mr Doyle, of the Department of Agriculture, Dunedin. The chairman, in welcoming Mr A. B. Stewart, of Moneymore, Milton, to the committee, stated that Mr Stewart's practical knowledge and keen advice would be of great assistance both to the committee and to. the young farmers' clubs. Mr Roy reported that he would be unable to attend the South Island Council, in which case, as previously decided on Mr T. L. Dolamore will attend the South Island Council as clubs' delegate. An interesting and lengthy discussion followed on the material contained in the agenda paper of the South Island Council meeting, to be held in Christchurch on December 2. Opinions were freely expressed on the subjects of lectures to young farmers' clubs, the venue of the South Island Council meeting, co-operation with the W.E.A., interclub visits, and the establishment of a farm training school in South Otago, and as a result decisions were made concerning remits to be presented by the delegates at the South Island Council meeting. After deciding on March 12 as the date of the next district committee meeting, a vote of thanks to the chair was made by Mr Nicollson. and the meeting closed.