The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1058, 18 November 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1868.

The approaching exhibition of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, regarded as a gathering in order to test the soundness of investment in Agricultural and Pastoral pursuits, assumes a character of great importance. There is every reason to believe that in point of numbers, as well as in the quality of the exhibits, the coming Show will prove a success. Let it be borne in mind, however, that in dealing with agriculture as an investment, and recognising the principle that no investment can be considered sound which does not pay as a commercial undertaking, the questions of present or deferred return, with the kindred one of interest on sunk capital, must be continuously kept in view. In the prosecution of Agricultural or Pastoral occupations the experimental will, as a matter of course, often be joined with a course in which a tolerable degree of certainty has been arrived at — the theoretical must at times unite with the practical. Hence arises the value of associations combining experimental with that which has been ascertained, the theoretical with the practical. The object of an association of the kind now under review should not be merely to stimulate the production of valuable exhibits, but to do this in connection with a system by which information is arrived at and disseminated, as to their cost and the means employed in their production. There is perhaps no science or branch of industry pursued by mankind in which the value of the thought and experience of others is more apparent than in connection with agriculture. The special object then of an Agricultural Association should be to induce the comparison of notes between parties similarly occupied, although perhaps under somewhat different circumstances. In this way repetition of failure may be avoided, and the success of others improved on. It is the duty of the agriculturists to provide good and cheap food for the public, consistently with making reasonable profit, and any association which does not direct its attention specially to the increase of the ratio of production, and the diminution of that of cost, will have failed to accomplish that which should have been its primary object. To the class of colonists general in New Zealand— and particularly to the class now occupying the agricultural area of this Province — the recognition of the foregoing by the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, as a if not the material function of its existence is most important. We have not many persons among us who can afford to take up either Agricultural or Pastoral occupation merely as an amusement, and to whom the result whether on the debtor or creditor side of the ledger is not of much consequence. It is just as well that it should not be so, because persons of this class are not usually adapted to secure the results which are ordinarly the consequence of skill, industry, and perseverance. The question most interesting to exhibitors and non-exhibitors is that of cost. Does the article pay ? Is it worth the money cost of its production ? If not immediately so what are the circumstances in connection with it which make it a sound investment — one that will ultimately pay ? Numbers of enquiries of this

nature will be made ; they are made in connection with every exhibit of a - superior character, and it should be the . object of the Association to obtain, and of exhibitors to furnish, such information < as will satisfy these enquiries. If a fair ( margin of profit can be shown to have ] been realised a direct stimulus to industry i has been given. If, on the other hand, ' the investment has apparently eventuated in a loss — enquiry is excited as to the ( cause of failure, whether special or other- ] wise, and the adoption of a remedy, or i prevention. The value of an association ] is apparent in its result, especially ] with reference to diminishing the cost oi experimentalizing, as well as . reducing to a minimum the risk of failure. By the combination of experiences, in < most cases, so near an approach may be • I made to a certainty as at any rate to prevent ruinous loss. The establishment of " Farmers Clubs" in connection with the Southland Association has been frequently advocated, and if the after show discudsiou which may take place> shall have started this movement in the various districts, it will have done much towards influencing the permanent welfare of the Province. The competition now carried into every branch of business has extended itself to agricultural operations. The assistance of science has been called in to overcome natural and clinratic disadvantages, as far as this is possible to be done, and to supplement advantages where they exist. The competition is not that of individual with individual, but of country and country, and it is not upon the operation of any natural advantage which we may possess, or disadvantage under which others labor, that we are to depend for profit as a rule, but we must simply consider the present cost of production with our present ability to compete in the world's market, and then comes the next question, how can this cost be diminished? A recent number of the ' Birmingham Gazette' reports a visit of a deputation from the Midland Farmers Club, by invitation of Mr Mechi, to witness the modus operandi and its results on his farm at Tiptree in Essex. The perusal of the report forces the reader to the conclusion that it is by what is termed " High Fanning'* alone, that the most successful results are to be realized. The perusal of the balance sheet submitted by the proprietor proves that the investment is commercially sound, and that capital combined with skill applied to the development of agriculture yields a safe and profitable return. It would be well if the subject of cattle breeding and feeding, with sheep holding, in connection, with the as yet almost separate pursuit of agriculture, were 'carefully considered. Doubtless much that is true in connection with English and European farming, will not hold good here, but enough surely has been written and said to induce the determination to make the best of our present position. Many obstacles to profitable farming require removal. The introduction of improvements is also necessary, and the use of all the means at present at command, with the adoption of those which the experience of others has proved to be valuable. It is to be hoped that the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Exhibition of this year may leave its mark on the calander in the initiation of a system of combination, which shall have its influence not merely on the present members, but on the permanent prosperity of the entire Agricultural and Pastoral community.