THE SHOW.
MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY OF STOCK. Unequalled Sheep Exhibits. Increased Entries in Most Sections^ TIUS annual stocktaking of Canterbury's primary industries is upon us, and to-day and to-morrow will see the Show Grounds at Addington the centre of attraction to the man on the land and to the man in the city. Both are intensely and directly interested in what the Show will disclose, for the well-being of country and town is so intimately connected that its recognition has become almost, proverbial. Only to the superficial observer does it appear that one year's Show is just like the preceding year \s; to the farmer and to the interested city, man no two exhibitions on the Addington Show Grounds are ever alike —there are either advances noticeable in this or that class of stock, or this or that class is not up to the standard of a year or two ago. The man on the land is in a position to compare what he has done himself in the matter of stockraising with what his neighbour, or some breeder in some other part of the province, or of the South Island, has accomplished. The observant business man gets many hints as to the prospects for his own business quite as much from what he hears from the man on the land as from the outward and visible signs at the Show of what the man on the land lias been doing since the previous stocktaking. For though the opportunities for communication between the country districts and the town have greatly improved in the past, twenty or thirty years—thanks mainly to the mobile motor—the Metropolitan Show is still the great fixture for the interchange of ideas between town and country. The surroundings are favourable and invite discussion of country topics or of the outlook primary industries, and the talk is freer and more intimate than on more set and formal occasions. « All the signs and portents are propitious for the success of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's sixty-first Metropolitan Show, which is to be opened to-day. Not the least of these is the widespread and beneficial effect of the rains of the past four or five weeks. A winter that was too marvellously mild and fine had rather a depressing effect on the agriculturist and the pastoralist, especially as the moisture so urgently needed seemed umvillinj* to descend, and something like a drought appeared imminent. The ample—in some districts too generous—rainfall has completely changed the farmer's and his satisfaction with the bounty of Nature is bound to be reflected in the happy crowds, that will throng the Show Grounds. Another important indication, pointing to the success of this year's Show, is the quality of the stock that will be on view, as well as the increase in practically all sections of the Show. The successes that stock from Canterbury bore off at the Dominion's first Royal Show, held in Palmerston North last week, are strong proof that Canterbury breeders, aided by the natural advantages of the province, are fully maintaining the high standard set, and the high reputation won in the past. Noteworthy this year is the big increase in the entries in the sheep section, the total being only about forty fewer than the record set at the International Exhibition Show in 1906. The classes this year showing the greatest increases are the Merinos and Corriedales, and of these breeds the visitors to the Show are promised the sight of Canterbury's best. ■ The Metropolitan at Addington has been recognised for many years as the Show at which • not only the finest specimens of sheep are to be seen, but also as the Show at which, as compared with British and Australian Shows, a greater variety of breeds are to be seen. At the Shows in the Old Country the sheep classes are practically confined to long-wool and Down sheep; there are no fine wools. At the Australian Shows the fine wools are predominant; at Addington the sheep-breeder finds 'representatives of practically all breeds —the long wools, the fine wools, and the mutton breeds. In this respect the Metropolitan Show can fairly claim to be unique. The horse classes also show an astonishing increase—astonishing in view of the popular belief that the horse is' being rapidly supplanted by the motor-car and the tractor. The fact that the entries of draughts this year arc practically . double those of last year—lo4, as compared with 58—hardly gives much support to the suggestion that the team horse has been ousted by the tractor. The true state of affairs appears to be that there is plenty of scope, in farming operations, for both the horse and the tractor. The cattle entries, though not so numerous as last year, promise to be of high standard. In other departments this year's Show gives every indication of being well abreast of previous exhibitions, while 'the attractions that make a general and popular appeal—the side shows—are expected to eclipse in variety and number all previous records. It is distinctly pleasing to be able to state that the display of farming implements and machinery this year will more nearly approximate the displays in those years when this department bulked larger than it has at recent Shows. Though the high prices ruling for lamb and mutton and the high values reached by wool last season (which promise to be exceeded this season) have attracted many away from cereal growing, there are not wanting signs of a possible revivafin wheat growing; at any rate, the implement and machinery manufacturers have decided, evidently, that the opportunity provided by the Show to bring under the direct notice of the tiller of the ground the latest improvements m farm implements and machinery should not be allowed to , pass without the fullest advantage being taken of it. Allied with the machinery and implement section is the. Motor Section, in which this year there will be shown some of the latest models of English, French, and Italian cars, as well as comprehensive displays of motor accessories. The motor-car has become a necessity to the majority of farmers. This section of the Show is certain to attract large numbers who are interested in the latest developments in car construction and equipmeinti As a gauge and index of the prosperity of Canterbury, the Metropolitan Show has proved reliable in the past, and this year's exhibition promises to give most convincing proof of the continued prosperity of the province stability of its primary industries and of the industries connected with, and largely dependent on, its primary industries.
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Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 14
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1,096THE SHOW. Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 14
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