TEMUKA AND GERALDINE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 546, 18 March 1876, Page 4

TEMUKA AND GERALDINE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW.

This show took place on Wednesday, on their grounds. The attendance was more numerous than it was last year, several being from the Northern part of the province. We extract the following particulars from the Timaru Herald : The sheep exhibited were few in number and poor in quality, many pens being without an animal in them, as for instance, merinos, and several classes of Leicesters, Lincoln, Romney Marsh, and cross-bred. Taking the exhibits according to the catalogue, the first we come to are the Leicesters, which were represented by two from Mr W. Poatlethwaite and' one from Mr W, Grant, none of them, however, were considered worthy of a prize, being indifferent in both carcass and wool. In the two-tooth Lincoln ewes Mr J. T, Ford took first and second prize, the only other entry being Mr W. Grant’s. The Lincoln-Leicester sheep were represented by a four-toothed ram of Mr W. Kelland’s, but no prize was awarded. In Down sheep the only exhibitor was •Mr Alfred Cox, who sent a ram and ewe, each of which took a first prize, and were above the general average of exhibits, though not up to expectations. The next division was the Romney Marsh, in which a better show was made than in any of the others, the entries being more numerous, and meeting with greater favor than any of the other branches. The lambs were especially good, those of Mr A. Cox, which took first prize, being almost faultless, while some owned by Messrs R. A. and R. L. Barker would most certainly have deserved a prize but for the slightly superior merits of Mr Cox’s. In the grown sheep of the same division some exhibited by the Messrs Barker and Mr J. T. Ford were consideri d very deserving of notice, and carried off all the principal prizes with the exception of one class, in which two ewes of Mr Cox’s took the first and second prizes. The show of cross-bred sheep was most unsatisfactory, and although prizes were in several instances awarded, the animals were of anything but a high class, the best being two half bred ewes of Mr J. T. Ford’s, All the lambs were deficient in depth, showing too much daylight under them. In the fat wether pen some really good sheen were found, and well deserved the prizes bestowed on them, but we consider that in the two-toothed class Mr Barker’s sheep were quite equal, if not superior, to Mr Cox’s. Taking the sheep all round, there was but one opinion expressed, and that was that they were below the average, and in some instances possessed not a tingle qualification likely to make them deserving of a prize. All we can say is that we hope to see much more superior and more numerous exhibits at the next show, for we have not the slightest doubt that plenty of good sheep are to be found in the district if their owners would only take the trouble to bring them forward. The show of cattle was much more satisfactory than that of the sheep, some very fine well-made beasts being exhibited. In the bull classes a roan animal belonging to Mr W. Foster received a well-deserved first prize, while a very nice calf, the property of Mr A. Cox, took a prize as a three-year-old. For two-year-old heifers there was no prize awarded, the only exhibit being sent by Mr Flatman, and was hardly up to the mark. Coming to the heifers calved since July, 1873, we find three very pretty beasts in the pen, the first prize being taken by a small but well-made red and white animal belonging to Mr S. Parkes. A special prize was recommended for an exhibit of Mr A. Cox’s. In the four-year-old heifer pen there were three entries, the first prize being awarded to a white beast belonging to Mr W. Foster, between which and the other two there was no comparison. A heifer of Mr Cox’s took second prize, while another rather small but compact animal belonging to the same gentleman, was highly commended. For the best cow of any age, there were six entries, a red and white one of Mr Kelland’s pleasing the judges best, whilst one of, in our opinion, equally deserving merits, the property of the Messrs Barker, took second favors. A special prize was awarded for another animal belonging to the latter gentleman, which was of a distinct breed. The next animals of this division which deserve notice, and which were, without exception, infinitely superior to any other exhibits, were some fat steers owned by Mr John Grigg, one of which, a roan and white, took first prize at the last Timaru show. In milch cows, Messrs Parker ex hibited two very well made animals, one of which took first prize, while a red and white beast of Mr W. Kelland took second. Mr Cox’s exhibit had very good claims to a place, but was in poor condition. The show of draught horses was a slight improvement on that of last year as to number and exhibits. The entires were led away directly after they were judged, and we therefore were unable to got a sufficient inspection to enable us to remark upon them. In class 4, for the best two-year-olds, Mr Grigg showed three splendid fillies for their ago. The first prizetaker was decidedly the best, but we did not agree with the judges in their decision with reference to her two companions. In our opinion the bay filly which was not even honorably mentioned, was superior to the grey which took second prize. MrTavender exhibited a colt of this class, and Mr Barker a filly, both by Bismarck. They were in nice condition, but they were too light on the body, and had not quite enough bone. Class 5, for the best yearling, Mr John Patterson had all to himself with an animal that is safe to make a good horse. Mr Oramond’s Jessie and Empress had nothing to compete with them in class 6 for the best pair of draught horses. It would be difficult to find a fault in these fine and valuable animals, but they were not in good condition. Class 7, for the best draught mare with foal at foot, was occupied by three of Mr Oramond’s exhibits. We agreed with the judges' awards as to these three splendid animals. The foals by which they were accompanied) were much admired, and were a capital advertisement for their sire, the Marquis Qt

Lome. In class 9 , for the best foal (colt or filly), there were some very promising animals. The light horses, taken all round, were very superior, but the youngsters were inferior. We are unable to give a detailed notice of the exhibits in this department, as they were led away from their stations before it was possible for our reporter to examine them. Pigs were not a conspicuous feature of the show, although there were a few good ones, which were bound to attract attention. Mr Marshall’s boar, which was of the FisherHobb’s breed, and a sow shown by Messrs Ensor and Smith, were very perfect. The poultry exhibits were few in number. There was a pen of white Cochin China fowls, belonging to John Currie, which was as near perfection as it could possibly be. Mr Waddle’s pullets were also good, but they were poor in comparison with Mr Currie’s exhibits. Some very pure and fine Aylesbury ducks, shown by Mrs Benbow, were the only other exhibits that deserve mention. The show of implements was very disappointing. There were only two exhibits in this department—a strong and well put together farm cart—by Messrs Elder and Young, of Timaru, and a double furrow plough by Messrs Reid and Gray of Dunedin. We noticed nothing new about the plough, but we learned that the makers had sold 444 of the sort this year, and that owing to the reduction in the cost of iron the price of the implement was now £2 cheaper than last year. One of the principal features of the dairy produce show was the butter. We never tasted better. Mrs Benbow took the first prize with a sample that could hardly be beaten. Mrs Benbow carried off the palm for ham, her exhibit having an excellent flavor. Mr Wadsworth’s ham, that took second prize, was good, but it was not up to Mrs Benbow’s. Mr Wadsworth’s bacon was the best in the class, and it took first honors. The opinion was generally expressed that it would be difficult to get English hams or bacon to surpass those at the show yesterday.