The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 74, 29 March 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1871.

In every other province but, our own, Associations, having for their object the advancement of agricultural and horticultural interesls, are in existence, an -J are doing their work vigorously and well, but in Nelson there is a want of energy and interest with regard to these highly important occupations that is really lamentable, not to say suicidal. The farmer goes on in the same old dreary routine without sm opportunity of comparing notes with his brother agriculturist, or of conferring with those engaged in the same pursuits as himself in other parts of tho province sis to the seed that is best adapted to the various kinds of soil, or the most remunerative manner of working the land, which varies so much in its quality and requirements throughout the various districts, and consequently, he, not venturing i'o make any alteration by ty^p\>f experiment in the description of grain he sows, or in the method of farming he has been accustomed to pursue, continues in the same course that he has adopted season after season for years past, although he is oftentimes painfully conscious that he is not making the most that can be obtained out of his land. One of the great advantages of such Associations as have been formed, and are proving so successful in Canterbury, Otago, and numerous other grain-growing districts in New Zealand, is that, at their periodical meetings, farmers congregate from all parts of the district, and relate their experiences in an occupation in which they are all interested, and to this interchange of ideas may, to a large extent, be attributed the success which is now attending their operations. In Kelson, we believe that nn Agricultural Association is still iv existence, although the most that it does is to weakly flicker up once in the year and then sink into darkness and oblivion for the next twelve months. Now, this is not at all what is wanted. To be of service to our agricultural population ifc must display a deal more vitality, and its members must show that, in attending the meetings (which at present are annual, but which we should like to see held, at all events, quarterly), they are cot merely performing a duty by which they are somewhat bored, but they should exhibit some interest in the proceedings, and let it be clearly understood that the day set apart for their meetings, exhibitions, or shows, call them what they will, is not an ordinary holiday ; not mere idle time to be devoted to beer and gossip, but a part of the serious business of their life. When it is lowed upon in this light, and not until then, will the Agricultural Association prove the beneficial institution that it should be. The forming of Farmers' club 3in various parts of the country is a step iv the right direction ; only a small step, butnevertheless a highly necessary one, for it is as the v tottering of the infant, which is the inevitable prelude to the firm walk of the full grown man. %et these clubs place themselves in communication with oue auother ; let them use their utmost endeavours to secure the establishment of similar societies I iv those parts of the province whei'B they are not already in existence, and let them combine to form one large and comprehensive association which shall work for the benefit of the whole province, leaving to the smaller bodies from which ifc has sprung the minor details that affect only local interests. We must not despise the day of small things, and therefore we hail the formation of these local clubs as a commencement of the reformation which

we hope to see spread far and wide throughout our agricultural districts. We have one word to say to theleadiug members oi the existing Agricultural Association. It is rumoured that they propose holding their next exhibition in July, but by that time, all the wheat, atd a large portion of the oats will he sown, and, as wo conceive that one of its objects is to collect from all paris samples of seed in order that they may be compared one with the other, ami their relative merits fully discussed, it appears to us that it would be far more udvautag€ous\i£ the meeting were lo be held earlier iv ttife }^ar, say in the mouth of May, in order that farmers ma}'- bo enabled to avail themselves of the knowledge they there obtain prior to the sowing for tho ensuing year. Our remarks have hitherto been confined to agricultural pursuits, but they may be considered equally applicable to horticulturists. At oue time Nelson was famed for her Horticultural Shows, at which fruit and flowers were exhibited that could not rind their equal in the whole colony. Her climate and her soil are still the sume, are still :is favorable as could be possibly wished for by the most exacting and enthusiastic gardener, but a lethargy has crept over those who fiiice iutcrested themselves in these matters, aud such indifference is proving fatal lo the position which our highly favored province should take as the finest fruit and flower producing locality in the whole colony. This is an evil which it is not too late to remedy.