AGRICULTURAL PASTORAL SOCIETIES.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 163, 28 September 1881, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL PASTORAL SOCIETIES.

Somb twelve mouths since, through the energy and per&everance of a few of the leading tevvnsmen, a grant of about niae acres of land was obtained from the Government, — not more tu?n a stones' throw from the railway station, which was to be devoted to the holding of yearly agricultural aud pp.sloial exhibUious. At that timt, wheawe referiecl totbe matter ia these column*, Ihe project was received with the utmost coitiiaiifcy by §ettlers m all parts ef the county, and the Press of the disti ict were all unanimous ia advocating the immediate starting of such a society. Beatiag these facts m lu'ad, theu, it is really amater for surprise and speculation as to why the matter has been aHowed to drop, or at least lie dormaut for such a long time; and we are very much aDi> ; d that the incalcutable value of such association* is not sufficiently rinsed by settlers. Had the mauy advantages of holding yearly exhibition! of stock, implements, general produce, and the outcome of the several local industries, be«u tak<;a into due consideration, it world have banished the apathy which has been exhibited, and the association now be iv full swing. The advantages derived aye numerous and important. Eor inslauce, the farmer competes at im Agriculturl and Pastoral Show. He is there enabled t> exhibit k'<s productions m butter, cheese or bacon to the best advantage, and every competitor strives to outdo his neighbor, la the Industrial Exhibitions it is precisely the same with mechanical proclsciiou8 — the woodworker, the blacksmith shoemaker, saddler, and all other trades are enabled to exhibit their goods and manufactures, and thus the pubic have fu l ' opportunity of competiug for excellency, lue one against the other. By the Hot uculinral Socitty the market gardener, would have a most laudauble incentive to put forth his best eatrgies m the production of flowers and. vegetables and everything relating to the kitchen garden ; uutttie Agricultural aud fo&ioral Society is of tbe ul most importance to ibe distuct, aud a decided spur to progress. These societies have, been formed iv almost eveiy county m the South Island, aad have been found iv great benefit tjotu to stock breeders, and makers of i-gricultuval implements, la i be VV?iravap?, during the past fourov five yea 'fl, rauid st/uleahuve been made iv tl?e importation of pure stock and iv breeding, aud at each aooual Pastoial Siiow, me increased uuuiber of stock exiiibiled, and the excellence of breed ia the pniroals shown, is simply astonishing. If such a society wer < formed ia the Manawatu — ?.« we bavt before so strongly advocated — we make no hesitation m saying that its career would be most successful ; and we only trust tbe farmers iv our midst will see the matter m its true light srnd take the initiatory steps at oaca. Those yearly exhibitions, as \va have befort said, encourage the breeding of good stock, and cousquently increase their value ; beside which, by exhibiting gtock produce, or implements at these shows, | the exhibitors most effectually adverse themselves, aud their productions.