THE Waikato Independent. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1907.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 324, 15 January 1907, Page 4

THE Waikato Independent. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1907.

As intimated in a previous issue, the prize-list of the Waikato Central Agricultural Association’s fourth annual show, to be held at Victoria Park, Cambridge, on the 6th and 7th March, is now available, and may be obtained from any of the Association’s district agents, or from the secretary (MrYeale), Cambridge. The schedule contains 33 sections and 268 classes, and the prizes offered amount to over £BOO. The Committee, in preparing their programme, appear to have thoroughly studied the resources and requirements of the Province, and care has been taken to emphasise and encourage those classes that are likely to prove of the greatest advantage to the community from an agricultural point of view, regardless of the fact that some of these classes are what may be termed non-paying classes. Another striking feature of the schedule is the liberal range of classes for all kinds of pedigree stock, while at

the same time ample provision has been made for the exhibition of highclass animals that are perhaps not eligible for the Stud Book, or are bred by private owners for use on their own farms. With a view to ascertaining the opinion of London buyers a class has been opened for the best steer, most suitable for freezing purposes, the animals to be judged locally and again by London judges. This test should prove most helpful to growers of freezing stock, and reflects credit on the committee for providing such a test. It will also be noticed that a distinct advance has been made in the milk-testing class. With the ultimate object of having a test of whole herds the Association is this year testing groups of three cows from competing herds. Considering the vital importance of the use of the Babcock test on our dairy herds, the innovation cannot be too highly appreciated. The committee also appear to have recognised the importance of the Home Industry section of the show, as considerable additions have been made to this section, especially to that portion of it relating to the children. Taken as a whole, it is doubtful whether there is a more liberal or more comprehensive programme issued in the Auckland Province, and the committee deserve to be heartily supported in their efforts to still further increase the success of this useful-association. It may not bo known to all our readers that the Waikato Central Association did not commence operations until March, 1903, the first show being held in March, 1901. Up to March, 1906, £llOs had been expended on grandstand, grounds and yards, almost entirely subscribed by settlers in this district. The membership roll has gradually increased from 570 in

1904-5 to 750, and the entries for the three successive shows already held have been 1039, 1123 and 1405 respectively. During those three years an aggregate of £1758 was paid out in prize money. Thus we have in our midst a thoroughly up-to-date progressive institution, of which, as a community, we may justly feel proud, and we confidently predict for the forthcoming show the same cheerful hearty support hitherto extended to the Association.