The Farm.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 38, 16 December 1893, Page 5

The Farm.

SOUTHLAND A. AND P. SOCIETY’S SHOW. Twice a year in Southland town and coun'fcry join hands. One of these occasions is the annual exhibition of the Southland A. and P. Society—the other the gathering of the Caledonian Society. The first-named fixture took place on Tuesday and Wednesday in the old trysting place —the Bark Reserve. The weather on the opening day promised ill for the success of the undertaking, and in the afternoon the rain came on in earnest. Heads were shaken and predictions of a Wragg-Edwin-Paulin nature indulged in, ■but, as so often in this world, the unexpected happened, and Wednesday—“ The People’s Hay”—dawned fair and bright. Later in the day a gentle “ Westerly ” set in, and atmospherically things could not have been better ordered for the comfort and pleasure ■of both man and beast—no dust, clear skies, and a cool breeze. Visitors to the grounds on Tuesday were comparatively lew, the cattle and sheep only being prized that day, while exhibitors in the mechanical line had not got their houses, or rather stands and tents in ■order. But on Wednesday, how changed the scene! Every department of the show was filled, the grounds were thronged with holiday - makers townspeople freed from business cares by the intervention of the weekly half-holiday mingled with settlers from all parts of the district and exchanged impressions regarding what was on all hands admitted to be a most successful show. As for the ladies, we never remember to have seen so many in attendance before. Early in the afternoon the City Guards Band arrived, and, with Conductor IVTohr in command, played a number of selections to the evident delight df all. With so much to see, to criticise and comment upon, the visitors—of whom there must have been from 4000 to 5000 —the gate money on Wednesday amounting to £179 10s as against £l4B 16s last year were constantly moving from point to point of interest engrossed by some of the more attractive “side shows,” pressing round the arena devoted to the use of the horses driven in harness, following the fortunes of the contestants in jumping erents, interviewing the live stock, and admiring the many objects of interest in the implements and machinery section. The space available for these was quite inadequate to their proper display, and another time it is to be hoped hhe exhibitors will be granted more “ elbow room.” They well deserve it. Their department is to many the most attractive feature of a show —it has grown to be an exhibition in itself. No prizes are given, and, as the collection and display of the various articles involves a good deal of expense, the exhibitors -should receive the best treatment possible in the allotment of space. It is of course a -good opportunity for advertising their wares, but this does not affect the question.

The management generally was admirable. Everybody worked with a will, and their efforts resulted in everything passing off smoothly and satisfactorily. Tew people realise tne self-denial involved on the part of the officials on these occasions. Some of them —notably those in the horse department —were hard at it all day, and so, too, was the secretary (Mr R. F. Outhbertson) whose tent, as usual, luuf a constant succession of visitors in the shape of exhibitors and others thirsting for information. Mr Outhbertson is so thing if not methodical, and this characteristic is never more valuable than on show Rays, the visible result being an absence of friction and a regularity of procedure comparable only to the certitude of a Babbock calculating machine. In connection with the arrangements an innovation was introduced which caused some grumbing. This was the refusal to issue outward passes—a change due to the manner in which the privilege has been abused in former years, passes being not only ■given away but in some cases sold. For the first time locally a weight-guessing competition was introduced. Fifty-one guesses at the weight of five of the fat sheep and forty at that of the fat bullock were made, and the results will be made known in due course. Space will not permit of more than a brief surrey of the various departments of the exhibition. STOCK. There was a falling off here, but on the 'Other hand there was scarcely an animal entered that was not worthy uf exhibition. There has been a decided gam in quality, and aone will regret the absence of beasts just put in “ to make up a show.” Cattle ; In Shorthorns Messrs H. Carswell, A. Beaven, -and J. Mclntyre put forward some fine specimens of the breed, and had the competition pretty much to themselves. The Ayrshire section was noteworthy for the re-appcarauce ■of members of Mr Rankin’s herd—this exhibitor, with Messrs J. Campbell, J. Grant, -and J. King, taking chief honours. Herefords were confined to Mr R. Cleave’s exhibits, while the Hon. M. Holmes and the Messrs Officer Bros, were the only exhibitors of Polled Angus cattle. The competition in crossbreds brought some good animals to the front, championship honours falling to the one shown by a townsman, Mr H. S. Hunter. ■Sheep: In -Lincolns, Messrs F. Sutton and Sutton and Harris swept the board, while Messrs McKerchar Bros, were first all along the line in Leieesters. Messrs J. Reid and Sons had it all their own way in Downs, and 4ke Hon. M. Holmes ditto in Romney Marsh aaxd Cheviots. Mr J. C. Ellis scored for fat

sheep and for freezers. • Crossbreds were represented by a pen shown by Mr J. Mclntyre. Horses : J. R. McKenzie's Lord Lyon secured the championship in draught entires, J. Blakie’s Lady Salisbury occupied the same position among the mares, while first honours in geldings were taken by J. Lindsay’s exhibit. In thoroughbreds Tennant and Ritchie’s Lorraine, was awarded championship honours in the entire (any age) class, and Gr. Fletcher’s filly the same in .the two-year olds. There was a fine turn-out of roadsters, the chief prize-takers being W. Guthrie, T. Ryder, Fleming and Gilkison, C. Humphries, and J. McKinna. The best jumper turned up in R. Russell’s Maritana, and the best hunter inW. Swale’s'Gray Mountain. POULTRY, DOGS, AND PIGS. These sections do not call for much notice, the existence of a Poultry Association no doubt accounting for the comparatively small number of entries from the feathered world. Dogs and pigs were also few in number. DAIRY PRODUCE. Last, but certainly not least. The vivifying influence of a handsome prize was seen here. The number of entries—ll 4 was more than double that of last year—and of these no fewer than 33 were in the class—five 11b rolls o£ fresh butter—for which the J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association offered the sum of £5 ss. Another year better accommodation must be provided for the produce exhibits, which excite a wonderful amount of interest in the feminine breast. On Wednesday, long before the judges had completed their work, there was much craning of necks on the part of groups of ladies wherever an opening could be made in the tent devoted to the produce. When at last the nublic got in the place was speedily crammed to suffocation point. Butter, potted, salt, and fresh, was the chief glory of the centre table, and keen was the criticism passed upon it. It eame through the ordeal Well. It is evident that the extension of the franchise has not caused the ladies to neglect the homelier duties of life, and those of the Western District were especially well represented in the list of exhibitors. And yet —tell it not in Otautau and publish it not in the streets of Gore—the J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association’s special fell to one of those horrible men folk—Mr A. Watt. It is just possible, however, that his wife had a hand or perhaps both hands, in it, in which case the reputation of the fair sex as buttermakers is untouched. In fresh and salt but ter Mrs Drain canned off first prize s, while Mrs Ayson secured first for potted butter. The factories had it all their own way in cheese, the Mataura, Wyndham and Inch Clutha Factories taking the prizes. Mr A. N. Lindsay was represented by some apetising hams and bacon, and carried off all the prizes, while Messrs J. and A. Leckie did the same in beef hams.

IMPLEMENTS, MACHINERY, &c. “What a grand display!” was the general remark of nearly all who were attracted to the eastern end of the ground by the sound of the working machinery. The first stand the visitor came to on entering among the iron manufactures were the exhibits of that veteran firm Reid and Gray, whose make of ploughs and other well-known agricultural implements is known throughout every farming district in the colony. The high reputation they hold for good reliable workmanship has brought their manufactures into very general use in Otago and Southland especially. The work of the firm was well repre, sen ted by their entry of ploughs, grubbersharrows with solid plate discs, manure and turnip drills, and a number of chaffcutters of the latest pattern. In addition to a Burrell traction engine—new to this district —and one of Clayton and Shuttleworth’s latest threshers, they exhibited Thomson’s patent turnip and manure sower, a new invention well worthy of inspection, besides a Mercer non-canvas binder. Booth, Macdonald and Co., the well-known Christchurch firm (-1. G. Ward Earmers’ Association, local agents) had a large display of the “ Carlyle ” make of implements which are mostly of distinctive design. A novel rabbit exterminator (Philman’s Patent Rabbit Poison Layer) had great interest for many, while their ploughs, harrows, &c., received a good deal of attention. Broad, Small and Co., whose business connection is extending throughout the whole district, are working up several important agencies. They exhibited a number of implements manufactured ly Mr W. Gardiner, of Mataura, whose implements (ploughs especially) have carried off no small number of prizes. The “ Orion ” range, Hunt’s chaffcutters, and Stevenson’s wellknown drain plough, with other articles, were also noteworthy objects in their collection. Tothill, Watson and Co., as agents for Andrews and Beaven, and also for P. and D. Duncan, both of Christchurch, had a good turn-out of well-finishedflploughs, harrows, drills, and grubbers, the last-men-tioned having special points for clearing land from weeds and breaking up stubble ground. The name of Andrews and Beaven is closely identified with chaffcutters and seed-cleaning machines, and several of both were shown with a number of Howard’s ploughs in Messrs Tothill, Watscn and Co.’s implement section. A first-class collection of seeds, manures, &c., was also shown. There were close upon twenty different kinds of grass seeds, twentyfive lots of clover and turnip* seeds, besides various kinds of artificial manures on exhibition, showing the extensive business done in this line by that firm.

~ The Massey-Harris Co. , • exhibited their reapers and binders, an improved press shoe drill, and several mowers and cultivators of substantial appearance and make. The largest entry of implements ever shown by one exhibitor in the Southland show grounds was that of the Southland Farmers’ Implement and Engineering Co. Their business has rapidly assumed large dimensions, and the catalogue of their manufactures comprehends almost every agricultural implement that could be named, from ploughs and harrows to the latest improved drills. With a view of extending the field for out-put the energetic manager (Mr Jas. Macalister) recently visited Christchurch and Dunedin shows with a collection of the company’s manufactures, with the result that they were successfully introduced in those districts. In Canterbury good business was done, and orders booked for drills for even next year. Perhaps the most noteworthy of the Company’s exhibits is their “ Colonial ” combined drills, of various sizes for sowing grain or turnips with manure. The drills have a simple arrangement for fixing the grass-seed box in front or behind the drill box. The construction of the machine is simple and the parts easy of access. A great amount of interest centered in this section, created to some extent by the working of the “ Colonial ” combined drill, a De Laval cream separator, and Walter A. Wood’s binder, by a Fowler traction engine, which, by the way, had travelled by road from Otautau the previous day. It may be mentioned that Mr Macalister introduced the first traction engine upon the tsouthland Show Grounds, some three years ago, and although there was then a strong prejudice against them, they may now be seen in almost every part of the district. Wilson and McKay, Of Winton, showed something new in the shape of their patent single furrow plough, with drainer combined, which should commend itself to farmers on account of its simplicity and general usefulness. The N.Z. Land Association (Ltd.) Had a Deering binder, a hand cream separator, and sheep dip, &c., on view. The Southland Kopb and Twine Co. had a twine-making machine at work, driven by a McLaren traction engine (J. G. Ward Association, agents), which, with its “ wheels within wheels,” puzzled not a few. The National M. & A. Co., besides having two McCormick reapers and binders (for which they are agents) had also a splendid collection of clover, turnip and grass seeds, Coral Queen guano, bone dusts, turnip fertiliser anc 1 dip. The J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association also had a large tent for the exhibition of seeds, Ocean Beach bonedust, manures, dip, &c. R. W. Jones

made a fine display with the bicycles and sewing machines for which he is agent, the former especially attracting a good deal of attention. The Carriage Builders were represented by W. H. Mathieson, John Bath, Widdosvson and Fogarty, and D. McQuarrie and Co., each of whose exhibits had special points of excellence, and the whole forming a most creditable display of local work of the latest designs. M. Donaghy and Co.’s exhibition of rope and twines was set off to advantage, their collection this year inducing some of the first seaming twine that has been made Jn the colony, and for the manufacture of which a plant costing over £4,ODD has been imported. Besides this a large assortment of binding twines, routes and cables was shown. This company claim that their turn-out of binding twine each year is greater than that of any other factory in the world outside of the United States. The Defiance Churn, a simple and easily-worked contrivance, open to the atmosphere, was shown at work to the large number who flocked around it. From a dairyman’s point of view it is a valuable invention owing to its simplicity and certainty of action, the rapidity with which it produces the butter, and its cheapness. H. Carswell and Co., the local agents for the Hornsby open back reaper and binder, had a couple of machines on the ground, together with an exhibit of antisceptic sheep dip. The Victoria Ranges, for wood and coal, were lighted up, aud threw out a warm glow of heat that could be felt some yards away. A large amount of interest was taken in the ranges, which are made by Messrs J. Walker and Co., of the Victoria Foundry. They have some improvements which can be appreciated by housewives aud cooks. The edifice they were shown in was set off witli ornamental ironwork, which is one of this firm’s specialties.

Other Exhibits. also came in for a share of attention, including some condensed milk made bj Mr A. H. Highton,' of Wallacctown, The Southland Freezing Co.’s bone dust and oils, Stevenson’s seven-tine grubber, Faulkner’s (Dunedin) wire ware and ironwork, Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.’s collection of artificial manures, and

a >1 mnber of drums and tins of. soft soap and sheep dip shown by the Southland Chemical and Manufacturing Co. The Buckeye Harvester Co. had two reaper and binders, famed for their simplicity and lightness of draught, and a mower on the ground. The Adrianee reaper and binder was also shown by Duthie and Co. (Milton), while two Aveling and Porter traction engines came in for a share of attention.