The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1877.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 83, 4 August 1877, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1877.

The very laudable attempt that is being made to start an Agricultural Association m this place appears, from the poor success that it has so far met with; to be rather premature. This is scarcely" a matter of surprise, seeing that agriculture about Palmerston is m an imperfectly developed state. The possibilities of the future are great enough to warrant expectations of golden harvests. But there is no magic wand to call into full and perfect operation- the energies that are slowly developing"; and hope as we will, and magnify ourselves as we will, we cannot make the present . other than the day .of small aud feeble things. Undoubtedly there will come a time when local agricultural produce will assume large dimensions, and there is no industry that appears to.'Us more desirable, or more certain to produce good results, m contributing to and backing up a general prosperity than this. But it is not while the farmer is engaged m the arduous task of transforming the dark forest into the open smiling field that be can debate the nicer points of agriculture, or enter upon competitive trials of skill. He is now too deeply engaged m providing for his immediate wants -to take much heed of those methods of organization and association which pertain to settled districts. These remarks apply to the bulk of those who have settled about Palmerston, and look to the soil for their future support. But there are a few here who. have bad "time to make 'their homesteads pretty comfortable, and their fields remunerative. Although they have not produced largely, the. average quality of their produce has been equal to any- m the district. It is not likely that these are numerous enough to, form an association for promoting locally the science ofagri:, culturej or even for less pretentious 1 purposes connected with their calling. Such an association could certainly be formed, but we doubt that at the present time the interest m it could be sustained. What would be more feasible, and we think productive of equally good results, would be for the farmers of this place to bring themselves into friendly competition with the farmers of other plaaes within the county. • We should like to see an annual competitive exhibition of field products held by turns at Foxton, Palmerston, Sandon, and Peilding. The list of exhibitors might comprise farmers from every part of the Manawatu County, and a fee might be charged for the entrance of exhibits adequate to defray expenses and furnish prizes. Some innocent recreation might alfeo be provided as an inducement to townsfolk to make holiday, and the proceedings terminated by a public sale of the exhibits. If the whole district were m this way to combine m a friendly rivalry, an interest would

be aroused of a more general and sustained character than if each town were to begin by forming an association of its own. An interchange of visits between the townships would also be brought about, and friendly feelings promoted. Such an exhibition as we suggest would, it ia true, have to be for some time to come on a small scale, and far from imposing if compared with agricultural exhibitions held elsewhere. But this would be of very little consequence if it would fulfil the main object by encouraging the farmer and stimulating agricultural industry. That spirit of emulation, which is a healthful ingredient ill every industry, should by every practicable means be promoted by the farmer. The attempt to start an Agricultural Association here, faint as it was^is a good sign. The flour-mills that are about being erected at thus place and Sandon, and the preparation that the farmers are making for {hem, show an earnestness that is gratifying and encouraging. Now if the precosity that has led this far will warrant our agricultural friends throughput the Manawatu district m adopting the suggestion herein offered, or a modification thereof, we do übt not. they will r find such ; adoption k in; its effect to "be an. imipulse to ■ agriculturaT industry, ft \nll, be an. encouragement for them to put forth their beat endeavour, and perhaps have no mean share in -enabling the district to merge its character of consumer into that of produfier.-