The Farm.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 43, 20 January 1894, Page 9

The Farm.

TROPHIES FOR FARMERS

The Dunedin Star o£ the 15th inst. reports that the Executive of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society has received the two challenge shields presented by Sir John Bennetts Lawes for annual competition among the farmers of Otago and Southland.

Mr T. Brydone said that in the unavoidable absence of Mr W. Patrick, president of the society, he urns deputed to say that the Executive were, very happy to accept the shields sokindly presented. Every care would be taken to so carry out the competitions as that the prizes would be properly awarded, according to the purposes indicated by the donor. Eleven competitors were in the field, and thesociety had made arrangements by which the farms would be duly inspected and judged. The society and the farmers who were fortunateenough to win would have good cause to remember Sir John Bennett Lawes kindness. The gifts were appreciated very highly, and perhaps he (MrBrydone) might be permitted to express the hope that the donation would stimulate others to make presents periodically to the society with a similar end in view—viz , the promotion of good farming. The "farmers of Hew Zeland had now to rely not on the old but on new methods, so as. to obtain the best returns, and competitions of the kind now inaugurated would be of service in causing them to pay attention more generally to this necessity successful farming. The Executive of the society would ask Mr Stanley to convey to Sir John Bennett Lawes their best thanks for his valuable gifts.

Bach, shield measures about loin, x 21in., and is worth £SO. As specimens of the silversmith’s art they are quite uncommon, and decidedly handsome. One is to be given for the bestmanaged farm of from 100 to 400 acres, the other for the best-managed farm of from 400 to 1,000 acres. The prizes must be won three times, not necessarily in succession, before becoming the absolute property of a competitor. In addition a gold medal, to be retained by the winner, is to be given each year by the society. The following entries have been made for these interesting competitions : Mr James Blakie, Martindale, Ryal Bush. Mr Cr. H. Gilroy, Stirling* Mr li. Charters, Ury Park, MosgieL Mr A. Rankin, Gowrie, Outram. Mr Walter Blakie, Branxholnq Southland. Mr Walter Blackie, Glasgow Farm, Bast Taieri. Mr Wm. Grey, Barrington Farm, Milburn. Mr H. Mitchell, Ardgowan, Oamam. Messrs John Beid and Sons, Monte Christo, Southland. Mr W. Scoular, Almondel, Southland. Mr J. Anderson, Edington Mains, Southland. The four entries catalogued last are for the large-farm competitions.