AROWHENUA PLOUGHING MATCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume VII, Issue 247, 9 October 1867, Page 3

AROWHENUA PLOUGHING MATCH.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMARU HERALD. . Sib, — With your kind permission I would address a few words m reply to Mr Massey's very elaborate production, dated 30tli Sept. Being unwilling to recriminate I allow Mr Honorary's little sarcasms to pass by unheeded, and state candidly that I had no desire to insult any connected with the society, not even the gentleman above-men-tioned. We are all subject to error, and I may not ;h'ave been an exception to the general rule, but my purpose was to state — the plain truth m plain terms. * Now, sir, if Mr Masscy, or any other gentleman m authority at the Arowhenua match, can give satisfactory reasons why the first prize m the wheel class was awarded to a man who had four furrows m one of his ridges, each eleven inches m width, whereas the rules state they should not exceed nine inches, (of course the ridge was uneven, which was another breach of the rules), why I shall be satisfied. Again, the second prize man had an uneven number of furrows m his ridge, another — but not the last — digression from the rules. Yes, sir, if any gentleman, either judge or one of the committee, can givo satisfactory reasons for awarding prizes m direct opposition to the printed rules he would disabuse the sense of injustice which seems not only uppermost m " Wheel-plough," but also the majority of his brother grubbers j and I doubt not the information would prove particularly edifying to agriculturistsgenerally. As I did not enter the paddock " cocksure" of pocketing a prize, I was not disappointed on that score, suffice to say, I satisfied myself on the occasion, and was moreover told by different parties (whom I think were compe-. tent to give an opinion) that mine was the best piece of work m the field, which was more satisfaction than I desired. I do not dispute the high standing of those gentlemen who composed the committee and judges, still it does not necessarily follow that all agriculturists are quite masters of their vocation. Admitting all those gentlemen who were invested with power at the Arowhenua match to be men of large experience m agriculture, I think it a sad pity they should so far betray their knowledge of ploughing as, to give their decisions m favor of a big, unsightly furrow, neither square nor well packed, and most unsuitable for the reception and growth of grain. Mr J. Mcßratney is undoubtedly a good ploughman, but to pronounce his the best work m the paddock was certainly a little culpable, that is if I may be allowed to express a general opinion ; the work was badly packed m many instances, the furrows were fallen bock, leaving large cavities for the seed to fall through. I offer the above remarks with a view to more satisfactory results m future, and not from a spirit of umbrage, as Mr Honorary might be inclined to surmise. I am, &c, WHEEL-FI/OTTGH.