AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL.

Southland Times, Issue 738, 18 October 1867, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL.

The last half century has been prolific in the creation of institutions calculated r to give an impetus to material and social progress. Ai*u»<-*g these not the leastimportant is Agricultural and PastoralAssociations. To Scotland is due the t credit of first conceiving the idea of establishing a society that w^ould be calculated to create emulation in .... the breeding of stock and the cultivation of v the soil, not only on the part ofrthe.r landowners but also their employes. The ' parent society of this class was, we, believe, the Highland and Agricultural. Society of Scotland. _^ It had a small beginning, but it was "a success from the _ r first, and has grown -' and -expanded, ' •spreading the seed of agricultural perfec- • tion over .the whole of the civilized world. The objects desired to be obtained were, . to create an am bition in the iarmer to I abandon the primitive haphazard system of cultivation previously! pursued, and impregnate the mind of the agricultural ■ laborer with the belief that he had a> higher mission to fulfil than simply hard- i manual labor, with machine- like regularity — that what he did if done well was a virtue that would, bring its own reward, . and elevate him in the scale of society. .*•* It was at first a difficult lesson to learn a that by the aid ot machinery and perse-: verance, and mental expansion, the value .a of land could be enhanced to an indefi- ■-. nite extent, that the reasoning and constructive faculties of the man quickened, and an honorable position gained:;, by even, the humblest. Still the lesson has been learnt, and at the present time no institution in Great Britianj America,;^ or the colonies is deemed of equal value * to that ofthe Agricultral and Pastoral . Association. Southland is essentally i an ; i Agricultural and Pastoral country. -Its . very existence depends upon the advance- '■ y ment of these interests. It is therefore ?o a matter for congratulation that an Agricultural and Pastoral Association hasbeen established that promises to become • a permanent and important institution* ■-■ This society was ■ started under circum- ;. stances far irom favorable. In the high f $ day of superficial prosperity , a similar * project was launched, : but from various 1 ; causes it .languished and expired. The ■••' seeds of emulation,- however, iwere sown, '•? and have generally croppeci*up inevery ■'- ' direction, and now promise to yield abunr-"*?. dectly, It is almost, incredible that

'Southland in its present depressed condition could have started such a society upon a foundation that places it in the foremost rank of New Zealand institutions. The list of prizes to be awarded, are large, perhaps as large as any, other kindred association inthe colony can offer. It is satisfactory to know that there are funds to redeem every promise. It is not, however, we think desirable at the commencement to run too fast. That there is stock — horses, cattle and sheep — in this province, equal, if not superior, to those in any other province, we doubt not ; still it should be kept in mind that one grand show, however legitimate our claims to superiority may be, will be simply a temporary triumph, unless the future is provided for — that if a front position is gained, it must be kept if any lasting good is to be secured. The Southland Agricultural and Pas- ' toral Association is fairly afloat. It is started by men who have shown their earnestness by the largeness of their donations, and the energy they have evinced to place it on a solid foundation. One of the most pleasing features is that it is not a class organization. The farmer and.squatter are called upon to unite for the one great object — to aid nature in making Southland renowned as the home of the best breeders of stock and cultivators of the soil. A noble conception. "We know of nothing more calculated to file down the class proclivities that has long disfigured the history of both Australiaand this colony, than the honorable competition which the Association invites. If judiciously conducted and adequately supported it will do much to lift Southland from its present depression to a position of prosperity. It will stimulate a healthy ambition in all the stock-owners the farmer, the implement maker, and the laborer to excel in whatever branch of industry he may be engaged. Its reports, if widely circulated, may Lecume of more value to the Province in inducing immigration, than even the labors of an earnest Home Agent. It is a transparent fact that New Zealand to become great must strive to be a great exporting country. In order to obtain this position much wisdom and enterprise is required. Southland possesses natural capabilities that few countries can claim, for the production of those staple articles — wool, grain, &c. — of exports that can never fail to find a market in the home country, if an advanced system of culti- j vation is generally adopted. It is to obtain this system that the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association j has been called into existence, and it is j to this end that all should work. While thus claiming for the new formed Association universal support, we cannot overlook a kindred society that has been sometime in existence. The Horticultural and Agricultural Society steadily and successfully sought for, and obtained an enviable position. Its previous shows have -been highly creditable, and the forthcoming one will, no doubt, surpass all others. It is somewhat unfortunate that the two shows should be at nearly the same time, and yet not at the same time. The objects of each are identical, and although the amalgamation may not be at at present practicable, an arrangement whereby shows could be held simultaneously would be of advantage to both Societies and highly satisfactory to the public* The suggestion is worthy of consideration.