TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S. SHOW, 1872.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 817, 18 November 1872, Page 2 (Supplement)

TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S. SHOW, 1872.

The show of stock, &c, which camo off on the Society's grounds on the 23rd October — the seventh m number since the inauguration of tiie Tiimirii Association— limy be said on several grounds which constitute the success of exhibitions of this nature, to compare most favorubly with uny which h;>ve preceded it. In Mm first plici! the gathering iv the yardd on Wednesday was of a moro general nature than has heretofore been seen m Timaru. Instead of the merinos which iv former shows constituted m themselves the show, and the only show, we hud a lurge number of longwoolled exhibits, a comparatively decent show of cuttle, mid v very fair exhibition of horse flesh. Though we are eorry to tea a falling off of merino exhibit?, yet the cause is not luito Beck, it/ being found m the fuet that just now the" merino sheep is more or le3s at a discount, and that the long-wools are at a premium. The latter ure essentially the farmers', mid for the moot part the large freeholders' peculiar property, the former the runholders. A few years since there were hardly v dozen long-woolled sheep m the entire Timaru district : Wednesday's show brought together no less thun 104 pens, for the most part containing unimuls which would not disgruce any showyard m the colony. The two ulusses oi sheep ure now getting more equalised, and we shall probably find that the tame proportions which held iv Wednesday's exhibition will probably hold m future shows. The presence of long- wools m a showyurd is a most satisfactory evidence of the gradual settlement of the country, und that the agriculturist is steadily advancing on, and reclaiming by the plough, our wusto -ands. Il may seem from these few remarks that our sympathies uro more with the farmer than with tho squutter, but this is far from being the eaae ; we would U9 lief see tho squatter us Hie farmer present it. the show grounds. Though their several courses aie appurently antagonistic, they are making for one common goal— the growth of that which is the very buck-bono of our prosperity, viz : "wool." Through the übseiice of two prominent Otago breeders, and tho puueity of entries brought forward by a gentlemun m the district heretofore a very largo exhibitor, tho merinos showed a deficiency, as compared to last year, of no less than sixty-two pens. But still the elasticity m the other departments of the show more thau made amends for this otherwise serious loss to the society m point of income, and ulthough the cash received for entries m 1871 wus comparatively large, yet the receipts for entries this season overcap it by a few shillings, standing at £166 11s, as aguinfst £165 7b 6d. The arrangements on tho ground were, as usual, of a perfect order, and m no far as the visitor was concerned, he had no difficulty m finding out all necessary particulars as to lakers of prizes, description of stock, &c. To every class of sheep, horses, cattle, and pigs, (hero wore class-boards, and the information thereby afforded, assisted by a capitally arranged catalogue, wus nil that could possibly be needed by the most enquiring individual. From a very early hour m the morning men wero busy yarding tho various exhibits, and by eight, o'clock the sheep — -m all 514 iv number, 352 merino, and 162 long-woolled — were wifely lodged m their respective pens. From eight to ten o'clock cattle, horses, pigs, implements, &v, came m intermittently through tho main gates, and at tho last named hour all the exhibits were placed — the sheep, cuttle, und pigs m their puns, the hom-i m groups round their respective classboard*, and the poultry, dairy and agricultural produco on the different stands erected. Soon after eight, o'clock the sheep judges commenced their duties, und at ten o'clock tho other judges came on tho ground, and soon afterwards went the round of the classes assigned them. About a quarter before twelve o'clock the public were admitted, and the scene then m the yard was somewhat pretty — every pen both for cuttle and sheep was filled, and the grassy slope of the paddock was doited with picturesque croups of horaea round the classboards. With ull this superabundance of animal life collected m comparatively a very small compass, there was added the inflowing m at. the gate's of a crowd, which an hour later viz. twelve o'clock, assumed fairly large proportions. ' From every vantage point, fro-n tho corners of the stockyard, from tho band stand, and the permanent ahed waved an array of flags, which guve gaiety and life to the proceedings. Fortunately too, the weather was fine, though iv the ufteruoon it blew pretty heavily' from the nor'-west. At halfpast two o'clock tho gathering of visitors was greater than at any other time during the day, there not being much less than 1,200 people on the ground ; the gate receipts show fully this i. umber, they being £59 13s Gil aguinst £55 lls 9d m 1871. Mr Meßae, the holder ol the general booth and other license, seemed to be doing a capital trade: we trust that he did, for he gave the Association a good price for his privilege of refreshing the thirsty soul. The blue ribbon of the meeting, the merino cup, fell thiß year to a local firm, the Canterbury and Otago Association. Although pleused that it is bo, we should have been better pleased if the Association hud, as 'm 1871, been pitted aguinst some of the Otago men. who exhibited m Timaru that year. Howover, it would be ill for us to decry for this reason the Association winning this much coveted prize — this year an exceedingly handsome chased silver claret jug together with a pair of richly engraved cups — for it was not only fairly but well won. The Association scored no less than 64 points, Mr Elworthy following vrith 14 points. The long-woolled cup, a very handsome silver beer jug of over £20 value, was taken by Mr Grigg, of the Ashburton, with 24 points, MiGeorge Gray Russell coming pext with 19 points, followed by tho Pareora station of the Association, with 17 points. We are glad to see this prize fall into Mr Grigg's hands. We hope to see that gentleman again iv Timaru next year, and if he wins another cup well and good, but ho will probably be pushed harder next year to gain first honora. Mr Slack again took the cattle cup, distancing all competitors. For tho draught stock there were five ties of five points each, viz, Messrs Patewon, Orton, Macintosh, Nicholson, and Coll. This prize then is still m abeyance. Before leaving the cup department we cannot avoid saying a word of praise tothepentlemnn whoselected these prizes for the Association, Mr E Elworthy, formerly its vice President — for they are not only m capital taste, but are, what these sort of thing* often are not, very useful articles. The other prizes are as fol-lows:-First and second iv sheep, cattle horses, and pigs silver and bronze medals, poultry 10* m euchVlucs ; implements money prise* £1 and £2 ; dairy produce, silver and bronze meduls, hams and bacon £1; agricultural produce, silver and bronze imulal* ; first prizi: m wheat, a Bpe-iial prize of £5 5s or gold nledul of similar value. In wool, silver nnd -bronze mediils. Another special prize is one of £5 5s or gold medal for tho best merino rain m the yard. We now proceed to comment upon tho various department r of the show : — MBBKfO SHEEP. The exhibits oi'this yeur.ulthongh so much fewer m number, -were quite equal to any that, ever iipp ured m our show ground ; m point of fact, as- fur us condition and growth of wool is concerned, they were much superior. We much regret the absence of our Olugo breeders, who huve iv previous years

so well supported vi, and we hope to see • them exhibiting again n?xt year, when hv trust our local breeder* nuiy be able, to retain first place, which was so deservedly won by : the Levels. There can be no doubt about the fuel', that without competition any show inns', come to the ground ; and from the experience of previous ycirs, we should fancy that our visitors would combine both business and and pleasure m paving us an unuuitl visit. For the first lime m the history of the Timaru Show the Cup was a gift to one exhibitor; and we think it rather hard on Mr McLean, that after making such a good fi^ht for two years running with his Otngo opponents, he should this year, when he showed better sheep than he ever did before, have no foi'inan worthy of hiti steel to contend against. Of course, m guying this, we inciiii no disparagement to the lirat and staniiehesf. supporters of the show, Messrs Studholme ami filworthy, whose sheep, no doubt, are quite as profitable us any m the yard, but are not of the fashionable type which finds so much favour m the eyes of judges now-a-days. We were glad to notice a new exhibitor m the person of Mr Meyer, of Blue Cliffs, and hope next year to see him as a competitor for the Champion Cup. Taking the sheep as a whole, there is little doubt but that they would be creditable m »ny show yard m the colony. We remarked that the ewes were much better than the rums, and such has been the case since the skirling of the bliow iv 18G6. We also noticed a great improvement m both ewes and rams as regards the classing of the pens, more particularly m the ewe class. There is nothing more important m our opinion than this, ns was proved iv the ram class, where m class 2, pen 10, the judges had considerable difficulty m making their award owing to the unevenncas of the pen. In the same class the judges suggested that the exhibition condition of the sheep would be improved were the sheep dipped as lambs, U3 m some instances they aro difficult to judge from the effects of ticks. We think it quite unnecessary to go any further into the merits of tho sheep ; it is sufficient to say that a better lot were never brought together on tho Timaru ground, and aro convinced that the prize-takers were bettor than those which carried off the Cup last show. lONG-WOOMED. After the merinos' tho loug-woolled 6heep next claimed attention, and were m fact the. chief featuro of tho show. A few years ago the number of Cheso m tho province was very limited, and especially so m this district. But the rapidly increasing urea of land under English grass, has convinced our farmers of the necessity of turning their attention to other breeds than the merino, iv order to reap more profit than those animals afford. That their efforts hare been crowned with success is evident from the first-class sheep exhibited, shewing that capital has been invested with judgment. Tho judges were directed to award prizes to the sheep they considered best adapted for grazing on cultivated grass on enclosed land, irrespective of brjed, and at 8 a.m. they commenced their duties with Cluss I—in1 — in which there were 7, exhibits and awarded the prizes First toNo 76, belonging to the C and O Association, a very even pen of sheep shewing a great profit m fleeco and a disposition to fatten. Second prize ulso to tho same company — well bred lot, shewing evenness and character, but rather going off from age. A pen belonging to Mr Q- Gr Russell was highly commended, two of the sheep were really good the other was not so well up. In Class 2 — Mr Grigg took first honors with a pen of exceeding'y profitable sheep, but rather deficient m point of breeding. The same gentleman ulso took the second prize, j No 84 — A pen belonging to Mr W X Muodonald was highly commended ; m this pen, there was whb ono sheep considered by tho judges the best m the class; the other" two inferior to the first and second prize pens, although good shuep. In Class 3, Mr G G Eussell was awarded the first prize, for an aged sheep, really well clothed and shewing high breeding ; Pareora taking the second and third prizes. Iv Class 4 there were S exhibits, first honors being awarded to a sheep of Mr T.mcred's, a really magnificent auimal, of the Cotswold breed, shewing great constitution, quality, and aptitude to fatten, with a most valuable fleece. Indeed, this animal must have been admired by all shepp fanners on the ground, unless actually prejudiced against the breed. The second prize, by Mr Macdouald, was taken by a sheep of great constitution, with a very heavy fleece. Mr Grigg took third honors. In Class 5, m which there were 12 exhibits, the Pareora took the first prize, by a very first-class well bred sheep, particularly well suited for carrying mutton, and at the same time giving a .good fleece. The sama station j also carried off the second prize, and to this sheep the same remark would apply. An auimal belonging to Mr Grigg was highly commended, a large-framed useful sheep, with a heavy fleece. Iv Class 8, the first prize was awarded to Mr G G Russell, for a. sheep bred m New Zealand, shewing great quality ; second prize being given to Mr Grigg, for a very useful sheep both m wool and mutton. No. 113 highly commerded, same remarks would apply as to second prize sheep. The judges also highly commended a sheep belonging to Mr G H Clark, as being a large well grown sheep, but deficient iv quality when compared to the prize sheep m this class. In Class 7, m which there were S exhibits, first honors were given to the Asso-. ciation, for a very even pen of ewes, she wing great quality. Mr tirigg took second honors. A peu from the Pareora was highly commended, but they were not so evenly matched as the prize lot. The judges, apparently, had great difficulty iv arriving at their decisions m this class, on account of the great excellency of all the exhibits. In Class 8 m which there were nine exhibits, The first prize was taken by Mr Grigg ; a very exoellent pen of sheep, showing great purity of breed, The second prize taken by the Association was a pen of well-grown mutton-produc-ing sheep, with fleece of good quality and evenly matched. A pen of well-woollod sheep shown by Mr Lnxvnoore was highly commended. No. 139, by Mr Charles Reid of the Ashbiirton, the judges commended as a peu of hardy useful sheep, carrying a large amount of strong wool ; would bo useful on cold poor farms, especially if crossed with some of the long-woolled breeds, the Leicester especially. Li Class 9 m which there were nine exhibits, Mr Russell took the first prizo with ft splendid old ewe, with carcase and wool of great profit; tho second prize sheep, shown by Mr Lnxmoore, was also a good ewe of her breed, and the same remark applies to her as to the first prize taker; No. 146, shown by Mr Russell, was highly commended, a well-woolled profitable sheep. In Class lOin which there were nipeexhibits, Mr Russell again' took tho first prize with n I really well-bred ewe, with great aptitude to fatten, combined with good fleece ; ' Mr Tailored secured second honors with a very profitable sheep both m wool and mutton ; pen No. 150, shown by Mr Grigg, was highly commended as showing great profit. : m floeco, although rather deficient m quality. Class 11— nine exhibits. The Pareora station of the C and O Association gained first I prize, witha splendidleiiizthyeweshewing great, i quality ; No. 166, Mr Russell, second prize, whs a ehort animal compared with the first prize sheep, .but showing profit m fleece und aptitude to fatten -, No. 161, (Mr Grigg) took a

• highly commended ticket with ;i good profitable »lll'C|). J2oh class, m which there wore also nine exhibits. Mr (Jrigg curried off the first priz-j by a sheep witli a heavy lustrous fleece, hut a little clelicient m symmetry. The second prize, a very symmetrical sheep, with a fair fk-eee, also belonging to the same gentlemen, as well as a third |>en, whiuh was highly commended. To this last sheep the same remark would apply as m the that prize, but showing deficiency of symmetry m a greater deyi ci . The juri^e3, m presenting the awards to the HKurutary congratulated the Society on tlie excellence oi tijeir show of loiiir-wo.illed sheep, and remarked, that having uttaiiiud such a large number of exhibits, they consider it advisable that the siieep should be classed, and each breed shown separately, for fclie reason that each particular ulasa wniiiil h.ive their own value, according to ul:ma:e and soil, and at the same time Uiisir own admirers. They alao mention tiiu dilliculty they experienced m awarding the prizes m must ot the clashes, the exhibits being su evenly matched, and all possessing great merit. CATTLE. In the entile department there was n marked superiority over last year, not only iv the number of the exhibits, but- also m their quality ; but there is ample room lor improvement, which we trust we may have the pleasure of noticing from year to year. To go through the classed. The first, brought out four entries, three of which were wry creditable, and the iirst prizu fell to a wellgrown calf by Count of Oxford, belonging to Mr Barker. Air Slack's two were by President, aud bo!h shewed considerable qmlity, particularly the one placed second. The,) were , however, iv very poor condition — a remark which applies to all of Mr £>l»ck'& exhibit.-, and which surely should be remedied, us the cattle are really worthy of better treatment. Class 2 also brought out four, all creditable exhibits, but none approached the quality of Air Slack's bull, to which first honors were awarded. Mr Kellaud's bull, which took second prize, is a very good auimal, aud was deservedly placed second. In Clubs 3 there was only ono bull shown, aud the judges thought him worthy of a prizoj but we very much question if he would have attained that distinction, had competitors come forward to contest the place of honor with him. Class 4 brought out five heifers j and here again the herd of Mr Slack's was successful, a good-looking heifer belonging to Mr M'Pherson, being second. Class 5 had also five entries, Mr Slack's heifer carrying off first honors, whilo Mr Kellnnd's were placed second and third. Iv Class 6, Mr Slack's white heifer was deservedly placed first, while a good beast of Mr Kelland's was placed second. Class 7 brought forward five entries, Mirce of which were really good ; Mr Slack's two cows were very fine indeed, and Mr Ki'lliind's white cow, which was highly commended, showed many good points, but lacked the quality of her more lucky competitors. Class 8, for fat stock, was very poorly represented, and the judges only awarded one prize — to &Ir Kellnnd'a cow. We really would like to see our farmers tiikft a little trouble m preparing some cattle for this prize, as wo consider it a disgrace to -the district to moke such a poor display of marketable cattle. In Class 9 (hero was only one entry, but she richly deserved a first prize, which was awarded to her. Without having any protensions to high breeding, she possessed really all that is required m a profitable dairy cosy. DRAUGHT IIORSIiS. In this description of stock the competition, both numerically and m regard to quality, was a great improvement on last year, there being thirty entries m this as against only sixteen last year. There was also a very fine entire — Marquis of Lorne — on the ground, not m competition, owing to his owner not entering him m time. Class I brought five competitors forward (Prince Imperial having been entered iv this class by mistake was consequently removed into class 3.) In this class the judges awarded first honors to Young lvanhoe, an evenly made horse, Imb iv our opinion showing less activity than is desirable. The second prize went to Scottish Chief, and Mr Orttm's horse Garibaldi was highly commended. This horse has some very goad points, but we think that his small feet, badly formed fore legs, and hollow back, scarcely entitle him to mention m this class. Rob I'oy, a horse recently imported from \ ictoria, should, m our opinion have had a place not lower than second, but we presume the judges thought that that the meanness of his hind quarters outweighed all his good points. Class 2— Three competitors, all by Clyde, the prize taker having the makings of a good horse. The other two were awarded a second prize and a H C respectively. Class 3 — Three competitors, of which one, Monteith, is a Victoria bred horse, imported by Mr Boag last year. In his case, the old adage that " a good horse cannot be a bad coloT-" holds good, for certainly if he had had to rely upon his color alone he would not have occupied the proud position assigned to him by the judges. He is said to be of pure Clydesdale descent, but his color indicates a different origin, although m most other respects he is very good. In fact, m point of strength, we would pronounce him the best horse on the ground. Mr Hay's Bismarck, who was placed second, is a Canterbury bred horse, by Napoleon, aud is a very promising horse indeed. Class 4 — Two entries, neither very remarkable ; and the same remark may be applied to classes 5 and 6. Class 7, three entries, first prize awarded to a well-matched pair of chestnuts, the judges no doubt taking the match into consideration, for the pair placed second were unquestionably the best horses taken singly, but as they consisted of a grey mare, by Tasman, and a bay gelding the judge?, m our opinion, were quite justified m awarding the prize as they did. Clas3 8 is a very important class, and was represented by six competitors; MrPaterson's grey, by Tasmnn, and a brown, by Ivanhoe, wore immeasurably the best, and m fact, m our opinion, the truest representative of the Clydesdale horses on tho ground. Marquis of Lome, not entered m catalogue, a very fine four years old horse, got by Lofty, shewing all the points of the Clydesdale, and undeniably the best horse on the ground. Were we induced to be critical we should say that, he wns a little upright m his pasterns, and that his feet were a trifle smaller than they should be. other nonsES. Class 1, only 2 entries — Knottingly the property of Messrs Pitman and 'lVschomuker, and Stormy Petrel belonging to Mr Freeman of the Wnimixte, Knottingly looked remarkably well, his neck and forehand are very perfect, nnd from his known stoutness, ami unexceptionable breeding should prove an acquisition to the neighborhood as n sire. Stormy Petrel also, to whom the second prize was deservedly awarded, is a very promising young thoroughbred ; head, neck, and shoulders as nearly nil (hat conld be desired, and he hns at the same time a nice bnrrel with good quarters and thighs. He is n horse that will improve very much with his years, nnd we think should throw very active stock. Class 2— No entries. Class 3— best hackney stallion — or.lv 2 entries. First prize LoMiuir property of MrFrankTtaine. This horse was exhibited last yearjßince which he has materially

improved. He was sent, to I lie ground m remarkably good condition, uiid lms evidently been well caivd for since In; lust. appeared m public; lie h:is thickened ull over. The only olln-r exhibit, m this clnss was Mercury, tin? property of Mr 15 Mooi-linuse, but. the judges no doubt, thought Iii hi improperly e-itered, I'l'ii.il'ilin^liiiu us nioii- Cidruliiledlo gt-f. Imrnes.--hiirscs than hack?, and oil these, grounds did not. award him n prize. Class s— only one entry — a iliit'k ".rey nlly, by Caledon, noc very blouu.iug m condition ; but full of gr.iwtb. O'iass 6 — hacks --Considerable competition: no less fciiiiu ten entries. A most creditable lot of horses, and tile judges were a c-ousider-able tiniti m finding ti.eir award.-. A 'lark browu horse, liL-Jongian to Mr George il Wildieol i'imaiu, received iirst honors. The burse is remarkably well put t.'gulher, with scarcely a we . k [mint, and would lie saleable m any country. The second prizj was awarded to a bay horse, the property of the (J and 0 Association. For a weighc-carrier, he possesses singularly clean action, and. is altogether a line animal. The thud piize was taken by a handsome bright bay horse, belonging to Mr John .Macintosh. 'i'iiis horse was exhibited m blooming condition, and did great, credit to his owner. He is a very powerful horse, with good neok and shoulders, but quarters rather short compared with his magnificent forehand. The judge. 1 -, we are informed, expressed their opinion that m future there should be two classes for hacks, viz., weight carriers, and light hacks. PIGS. The number of entries m this class of stock showed a great increase on last year, 29 against 12. and m the quality of the stock the exhibition was also an improvement on that of 1871. In class 1 — for the best boar of any age or breed— the competition was between Mr (JbfF, with a well shaped but rather ancient lo. iking boar of great size, and a young Berkshire boar of Mr Macintosh's, the judges deciding m favor of the former, as they considered Mr Macintosh's "rather leggy : but wo thi:ik, with even that drawback, Mr Macintosh's was the better pig of the two. In the second class there was only one pis shown, and the judges gave no award, as they did not consider it of particular merit. In class 3, only one of the animals entered by llr Macintosh was penned, the judges remarking that the animal was very good and deserved the prize. In class S — For the best sow for breeding bacon pigs — there were live m competition, Mr Cliff, with two very fine skinned well shaped sows, taking first and second honors. Mr Luxtnoore >vas highly commended for a, prettily headed and well bred pig, but the judges did not consider her bone strong enough for a bacon pig. In class s—for5 — for best sow for breeding porkers — the prize taker, exhibited by Messrs Meek and Howell, was a fine young pig ; the second prize pig the judges pronounced "very good;" the highly commended pig was also a good animal. In class 6 — for the best sow. farrowed since January 1, 1872 -Mr Cliff took all three prizes with three sows which, we were informed, were all from the same litter. The Hist prize taker the judges pronounced "very good ;" regarding the second they remarked, " jrnod pig, if not obler than from January Ist."' One of the unsuccessful exhibits m this class was a good stamp of pig for turning out bacon. In class 7no exhibits were yarded, though two entries were made. In class B—for8 — for the best litter of pigs— the exhibits were not up to much, and we quite ondni'se the judges' remark, that the prize litter were " opim to improvement m every respect; ;" their mother was a very tine sow. J In the 9th class — for the best fat pig— there were two exhibits, both by Mr Macintosh, both were good animals, and would make fnt pigs, which they could scarcely be said to lie at present. To the first prize pig the judges siwiirdi'd the prize as being " the best ior bacon," but suggested that m future there should be a distinct class for fat porkers and fat bacon pit!S. as at the show yesterday a fat worker might have been shown against a fat bacou pig. POULTRY. In poultry thcl'j was as usual but. little competition, Mr Shorbroke Walker took n first prize with a pair of Dorking fowls. Mr Llewellyn Jones was awarded a lirst prize for a pen* of Hamburgh fowls. In .UriOumi Poolras hbero was some competition between Messrs Hobbs and Cli£F, the former Inking first prize with a pen m which the two hens were much better birds Minn Mm cock was ; a "highly conimended"\vnsn warded to Mr Cliff for one of his puns, which were shown lit a disadvantage, through tho cocks having been allowed to get together and fight. Ncverthonnde.i' more favorable circumstances we do not think they would hnve beaten MrHobb's pen, which was decidedly the best. In game fowls Mr Cliff rook both first and second honors, beating Mr J W White, whose hens were very nice birds. In bantams Mr W 0 Maxwell had it all to himself, his pen quite lneritiiisr the first prize it received. In the rcmainiui: classes no nwnrd was made. In Extra Exhibits Mr R A Barker of the Orari shewed a pair of French Capons, very fine birds and which attracted considerable attention. IMPLEMENTS. In this class of exhibits there was a decided falling off from the show of Jast year. The ploughs were tested on the previous day to the show, on a piece of ground outside the show ground. As was the case last year, scarcely any of the ploughs were m anything like working order, lior m the course of two or three hours' trial ia it possible to get them into that condition. To have these implements well tested n. full day would be required, m order to give time to have them set one depth and width, and it would be greatly m their favor if before being brought to the field all the wearing and raovenbfo parts were thoroughly cleaned trom paint and rust, which prevent their making clean work, and interferes with their ready adjustment, it would also be very advantageous if m future years a piece of ground could be got from which the public could be excluded, as their presence is a source of great annoyance to the judges,. and increases the difficulty of their arriving at a decision. At the trial of implements on Tuesday, the only entry m class I—a1 — a plough, by Messrs .Reid and Gray, of Oamaru— was not tried, as it was not complete m time. At the show the judges made no award regarding this implement, which was very roughly made, and to our mind had better not have been shown at all. We do not understand why the laud wheel should lie a bevelled one, this saems rather a disadvantage than otherwise. In class 2 — for best three-furrow ploughs — there was but one competitor, last year's' prize taker, a " Howard," belanging to Mr T W Hall. Respecting this plough, the judges remarked that it was a thoroughly good working implement. They also complimented Mr Charles Wright (Mr Hall's farm manager) for the masterly manner m which he handled the implement. In class 3 — .for. best and cheapest double-furrow plough— there were no less than five competitors. The first prize was awarded to an extremely well finished implement, by Mr John Elder, of fimaru, (price £25) which undoubtedly made good work. The second fell to Mr Gray, of Temuka, his ploughing being good and the draught of the implement light. Its price was £26. Messrs Keid and Gray's plough (price ,C 24) was not m working order. Mr Ogilvie's (price £24) whs new, and the shares were too narrow, otherwise it would doubtless have worked well. Mr Hall's plough, by Ban somes and Sims, priced at £20, wa3 la

good working order anil made good | work. it is satisfactory to nute that m this olas-) of implement, whicii is being used m the district t<> an increasing extent, the two tirst prizes should have tall^n to local makers. In c|ass 4, heavy harrows, the firtt priz-i fell to Messrs Keid and Gray, of Uamuru, for a s tof zigzag harrows, priced at iS 10s; tluy were reversible, and m this respect were cheaper than Elder's (second priz') which, though m other respects as uoo.t, were not lilted for reversing; . the master bar of lieid and Gray's was also on a better principle, but m this respect the third exhibit, by Air D O^ilvie, was decidedly the b.-st, the principle of it being Very light and strong, and avoiding the complicated set o whipjile-trees usually employed with a three horse team ; the workmanship of his harrows was also good. In classes 5, 6, 7, and S, there was uu competition. In class 11, best and cueapest farm cart, there was only one exhibit, but of great merit, to which a first priza was awarded. A cart, made by Mr lililer, titted with harvest frame, break, and other extras, at the low figure o£ £25. The judges pronounced this cart "good, useful, and strong, but rather heavy for two hoisss." In class It) there were no exhibits. Iv class 11, for the best reaping machine, the tirst prize was awarded to Messrs Keid and Gray, of Oamaru, for a self-delivery reaper oil a new principle, exhibiting a good deal of ingenious contrivance; the automatic delivery gear seemed to be especially well contrived. A curved iron fixed to the linger bar, to give the delivery rake a lift as it crosses the knife, and thus prevent the rake teeth getting cut off oil rough ground, thereby injuring both knife and rake, is a capital idea, aud the curved battens on the platform, to save the necessity of setting the rake too close to it, are also a decided improvement. The other implement shown was a back delivery machine, of very simple construction and good workmanship ; the judges did not award any prize to it. In class 12 there were no exhibits. In class 13, for the best reaper aud mower combined, Messrs Keid and Gray showed a very well put together little machine (price £35) which was well worthy of a prize, aud likely to fulfil all the requirements of a small fanner. In extra exhibits, Mr Elder, of Timaru, showed a waggonette (price £55), seated for six passengers, well put together, cushioned, and fitted with pole and shafts, the wonder being that so good a vehicle could be turned out for the mouey. Mr id liaece also showed some curd machines, which seemed well adapted for their work ; a double-furrow plough, some harrows, and a spring cart, all of which were of good quality. Mr Gray (of Temuka), showed a very serviceable single horse power machine suitable for driving a chaff-cutter, or anything of that kind. DAIRY PRODUCE. In these classes the competition was extremely keen, especially m butter, for which no less than 26 competed, the great attrac- : tion being the handsome prize of a silk dress, value £5, presented by Messrs Hibbard and Cowan, who, it will be remembered, gave a similar liberal prize last year. The judges had some difficulty m arriving at a decision, and remarked " that the competition was very close, and the exhibits particularly good throughout, with one or two exceptions." Mrs Brnsell was the winner of thy lirst prize, . Mrs II Nicholson of the second, and Airs M Ferguson was highly commended, lv salt butter, the exhibits were irood: the first prize . fell to Mrs J Daive, and the second to Mrs i Nicholson, m cheese, the exhibits were particularly good. Ln ham, there were four exhibits ; Mr Luxrnnore received a tirst prize. ■ Mr Cliff being highly commended. In bacon, Mr Cliff had two exhibits, to one of which i a lirst prize was awarded, the judges pro- . nouncing it " very well cured, but considered i too fat for general .sale." AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE, WOOL, ETC. . lii Grain there was much more competition than last year. . Of wheat there were nine i lots entered, aud the judges had some difiii eulty m coming to a decision, owing to separate classes uot being provided for — red anil white wheats. The first prize fell to the . C and O Association. (Pareora). [n barley, oats, and beans, there were two, four, and . one exhibits respectively. In Wool — for the best 120 Ib 3 combing, aconreil or washed — there were four exhibits, but so critical were the judges that they declined to award a prize to any but the bale . exhibited by Mr Isaac Collins ; and m clothing wool they declined to award a prizj . at all. Mr Wood showed a bale of flax, which was hiuhly commended. Of ale there was only one entry, but the exhibit was uot brought oil to the ground.