WESTERN DISTRICT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL GRAIN SHOW.

Western Star, Issue 353, 29 May 1880, Page 2

WESTERN DISTRICT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL GRAIN SHOW.

This popular annual event took place jesterclaj in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The weather was everything that could be desired, while the attendance and entries were more numerous than on any previous occasion. The hall was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, and the Volunteer Band was in attendance and contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion. It is a most cheering feature in connection with this show that the entries nearly doubled in number those of last year, while the quality of the various exhibits was also a great improvement upon that of former years. There were four entries of wheat, all of which were of fair quality, although th • judges had little difficulty in deciding between first and second honors. The capabilities of the district in regard to producing good barley, were not fairly indicated by the number or quality of the exhibits. There were only three entries —one of chevalier and two of provincial, Mr J. W. Hamilton being awarded an bon. certificate for the former and Mr J. Brown first prize for the latter. Oats, although in the aggregate well represented, were not so in the various kinds. Messrs Hazlett Bros, showed a good sample of sandy oats, weighing 47f iba. to the bushel ; judged by any point of value, they excelled, and the first prize awarded them was only a fair recognition of their merits. Mr Hamilton was again unfortunate in having nothing to compete against his Tartarian exhibit, he being the onlyentry in that class; the quality was very fair, and he was awarded a special prize. Potatoe oats had also only one representative—of indifferent quality. Sparrowbills had five representatives, Messrs Hazlett again taking first honors, although they weighed less by 1 lb. per bushel than Mr Collie’s, which took second prize, but they were of a much better color aud finer dressed. Mr J. Gumming showed a new (to this district, we believe) variety of oat, the Sutherland, weighing 48 lb to the bushel, which was awarded a special prize as the best exhibited. Scotch birlies were not represented. Coming to grass seed, a most magnificent display was presented, the judges giving it as their opinion that it could not be beaten, the correctness of which will be easily understood when it is mentioned that the prize exhibits were pure and true to name, and weighed 83 lb and respectively. There were six entries of ryegrass and one of cocksfoot, the latter being of moderate quality. The root crop exhibits were most creditable, and the judges had some trouble in arriving at a decision on the merits of the various entries of potatoes and turnips. The four entries of onions were also very good—indeed so much so that we heard a doubt expressed by one or two persons as to whether they were grown in the district. Carrots were also well represented. An entry in this class by Mr W. J. Collins was “ disqualified ” on the ground that it weighed 20 lbs. less than the minimum required by the regulations. This must have been somewhat annoying to the exhibitor, when the judges stated that it was the finest sample of carrots they had seen in the colony. Mr Hopcroft, as usual, had a very fine display of a dozen different varieties of apples, for which he was awarded a special prize. There were three exhibits of garden produce,

an excellent variety o£ table vegetables being included in each. Mr Bailey’s exhibit of schallots received a special prize. In dairy produce there were an extraordinary display of blitter, although cheese bad only one representative. The entries in fresh, potted, and salt butter numbered 19, 16 and 16 respectively. It was some lime befor the judges could arrive at a decision on these lots, as there was not an inferior entry amongst them. Some very pretty designs of fancy butter were also exhibited. Hams, bacon and r.illed hams numbered only five entries collecliycly. The display of oat cakes, scones, and home-made bread was most flattering to the fair hands (h it made them, and the contest was both numerous and keen. Mrs Howells was justly awarded a special prize for a dozen hen eggs of extraordinary size. Mrs Eraser was again to the fore with a Scotch haggis, of a quality that any enthusiastic admirer of that dainty dish might fairly be pardoned for exclaiming with the poet, “ Ye’re worthy of a grace as lang’s my airm.” Mrs Marshall took the prize for the best two pair of poultry dressed ready for cooking. There was another entry in this class, but, unfortunately for the owner, they were cooked, and although not awarded a prize, it may he a consolation to know that they were much appreciated by the visitors, as their remains can testify. The poultry numbered close upon forty entries. The silver cup offered by Messrs Whittinghara Bros, and lustone fell to Messrs Hazlett Bros., as the highest aggregate money prizetakers at the show. Messrs Daniel and Crockett exhibited a number of Singer’s sewing-machines. The arrangements in connection with the Show were carried out most satisfactorily, and to the office-bearers of the Society the greatest credit is clue for this result. Appended is ihi PRIZE LIST. GRAIN. Judges : Messrs Carswell, Gilkinsoa, and Jas. Reid. Best sample of wheat. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s.—1, W.Calder ; 2, R. Bath. Best sample ehevalier barley. Ist prize, £1 j 2nd, 10s. —J. W. Hamilton, hon. certificate. 1 entry. Best sample provincial barley. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s.—1, J. Brown. 2 entries. Best sample sandy oats. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —1, Uuzlett Bros, 47f lbs; 2, Acbeson Bros, 471 lbs. 2 entries. Best sample tartarian oats. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s.—J. W. Hamilton, being the only entry, was awarded a special prize. Best sample potato oals. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s.—Hazlett Bros’ was the only entry in this class, and the quality was not deemed sufficiently good to deserve a prize. Best sample sparrowbill oats. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s.- —1, Hazlett Bros, 45 lbs ; 2, D. Collie, 46 lbs j hon. certificate, C. M'Dougall, 44 lbs. 5 entries. Best sample Scotch birley oats. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s.—No entries. Best sample of Sutherland oats.—Mr J. Gumming was awarded a special prize for an exhibit iu this class, weighing 48 lbs per bushel.

GRASSES. Best sample of ryegrass. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —1, J. B. Turnbull, 33 lbs; 2, M. Fallow, 32i lhs; 3, J. Deacon, 30J lbs. 6 entries. Best sample of cocksfoot. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. —J. W. Hamilton was the only exhibitor. No prize awarded. Best sample of timothy. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —No entries. ROOTS. Best sample of early potatoes. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd. 10s.—1, W. Hopcroft, junr.; 2, H. Woods; lion, mention, H. Woods and J. Vaughan. Gentries. Best sample late potatoes. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —1, 11. M Williams ; 2, Hazlett Bros ; 3, D. Collie. 8 entries. Best sample of Swedish turnips. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s.—I, J. Twine ; 2, W. Hopcroft; 3, Hazlett Bros. 8 entries. Best sample of field turnips. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s, —l, J. MTntyre; 2, W. Hoporeft; 3, M. Fallow. Best sample of onions. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s.—1, J. Brown ; 2, A. Beer. 4 entries. Best sample of carrots. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —1, J. Twine; 2, W. Hopcroft. 5 entries. Best collection of apples. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. — W. Hopcroft, being the only entry, was awarded a special prize of 10s. GARDEN PRODUCE. Best collection. Ist prize, £l.—l, J. Twine ; 2, B. Bailey. 3 entries. Best collection of sohallota. —B. Bailey was awarded a special prize for an exhibit in this class. DAIRY PRODUCE. Judges : Messrs Cleave, Morton, and Blackwood. Bast pair of new cheeses. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s.—J. Borland was the only exhibitor, and was awarded a special prize of 10s. Best pair of old cheeses. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s.—No entries. Best 2 lb of fresh butter. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —1, Mrs Leannont; 2, Mrs Fallow ; 3, Mrs Borland ; Mrs Christie and Miss Hall, lion, mention. 19 entries. Best 2 lb of potted butter. Ist prize, £1; and 10s.—1, Mrs Fallow ; 2, Miss Hall; 3, Mrs Deacon. 11 entries. Best 2 lb of salt butter. Ist prize, £1 2nd, 10s.—1, Miss Hall; 2, Miss Calder ; 3, Mrs GK Howell. 16 entries. Best exhibit of ornamental butter.—l, D. Collie, special prize by I. Woolf and Co ; 2, Mrs Gumming, bon. certificate. 3 entries. HAMS AND RACON. Best dried ham. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —l, W. Hopcroft. 2 ontiies. Best green ham. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. —l, J. Vauglian. 2 entries. Best side of rolled bacon.—Hazlett Bros, special prize. SPECIAL PRIZES. Best sample of oatcake. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, 5s. —1, Mrs Learmont; 2, Mrs Cr. O. Cussels. 7 entries. Best sample of home-made bread. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, 5s. —1, Mrs Turnbull; 2, Mrs Leartaioat; lion, mention, Mrs Fallow. 8 entries. Best sample of scones. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, 5s. —1, Mrs Jas. Hay; 2, Mrs John Reid; hou. certificate, Mrs J. Hall. 14 entries. Best sample of two dozen eggs. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, ss.—l, Mrs Marshall; 2, Mrs G-. 0. Cussels; 3, special prize, Mrs H. Howells. 11 entries. Best made haggis. Prize, 10s. —Mrs K. Fraser. 2 entries. Best two pair poultry, dressed ready for cooking. Prize, 10s.—Mrs Marshall. 3 entries. POULTRY. Best Spanish cock and hen. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, ss.—l, A. Weir; 2, J. W. Chapman. 4 entries. Best Brahmapootra cock and hen (light). Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, 5s. —1, J. W. Hamilton (special). 2 entries. Best Brahmapootra cock and hen (dark). — 1, W. Crockett (special). 2 entries. Best Hamburg cock and hen. Special prize.—1, C. Bilston. 2 entries. Best barn door cock and hen. Ist prize,

10s; 2nd, ss.— T; : :v D. Murcliie j 2.—.. —. Jamieon. 4 entries. " Best game cock and hen (ducitwing). —Special prize, D. Murchio (only entry). Best game cock and hen (dark reds). l»t prize, 10s; 2nd, ss.—l, J. Irwin; 2, G. Thomas. Best bantam cock and hen. Ist prize, 10s , 2nd, 5a —1, Hazlett Bros; 2, J. W. Chapman. 4 entries. Best turkey cock and hen. Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd ss.—l J. W. Hamilton. 3 entries. Best gander and goose. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, os.—l, W. Campbell. 2 entries. Best common drake and duck. Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd, 5s. —I, J. Stool; 2, J. Yaughan. 6 entries. Best Aylesbury drake and dock. Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd, ss.—l, Mrs Acheson; 2, J. Steel. 4 entries. silver car. Messrs Hnzlett Bros, are the winners of the si'ver cup presented by Messrs Wliit.tingham Bros, and Instone, they being the highest aggregate money prize takers at the show. THE DINNER Tofik place in the Great "Western Hot' 1 in )he evening, and was attended by about thirty geiUlemen. It was served up in Host Clode’s best stylo, and gave every satisfaction. A large number of toasts were given and responded to, and some very sound practical speeches were made in connection therewith. Songs were also given at intervals by load and visiting gentlemen. The President of the Association, Mr J. MTntyre, piesided and the Vice-President, Mr W. Hop-, croft, acted as croupier. A detailed report of the proceedings will be found in our next issue.