THE WINTER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 325, 12 June 1911, Page 7

THE WINTER SHOW.

CROWDED CLOSING SCENES. The winter show urcw good "houses' all day on Saturday, despite the terrific downpour oi ram. The reputation 01 the show hud travelled to ail the country districts, by medium of the Press or ot those who had visited it on the opening days and returned home full oi its praise. For this reason the Saturday crowd was composed, mostly of farmer friends, many coming from a distance, and all agreeing that the discomfort of travel in such weather was amply repaid by! the excellence of the show in each and •' every department, and most particularly in those sections which- the more closely interest the agriculturist. The greatest interest attached to the district exhibits indicating the industry and resources of the "backbone of the country," and the next best "draw" was the display by the men in durance vile at. the back of Marsland Hill. On Saturday night there was a capital attendance, the building being crowded. There was the usual gift auction, Messrs. F. Watson (Newton King),: L. B. Webster (Webster Bros.) and L. A. Nolan (L. A. Nolan and Co.) voluntarily conducting the sale, and pursuing their calling so energetically as to add considerably to the society's revenue. It wasn't safe even to look at the auctioneers, much less to "tip them a. wink," for the sellers were keen on detecting involuntary bids, and those known to the knights of the hammer found themselves burdened with stale scones, cabbages, pumpkins, and. all sorts of things. The fun waxed fast and furious, and he touched best who laughed last. Now that the show has been brought to a successful conclusion, more particular reference can be made to the self-sacrificing interest displayed by the president, Mr. Walter Ambury. To say that he has been the mainspring of the show is not to exaggerate. He has also heen the key to it, its centre—a marvel of energy and enthusiasm that fortunately was caught by very capable committeemen, stewards, and others. Able assistance was rendered' by several gentlemen outside the ranks of the society, and the new secretary, Mr. A. (jliff, came through the trying ordeal with ( nying colors. Hq\v far this year's success, in the face of the trying weather conditions, will justify the society in a great forward move has yet to be decided, hut already a committee is at work formulating suggestions for the improvement of future shows, based on the experience of the past week or two. In this connection those exhibitors or visitors who have noticed any little defects, or any way in which the next show can be made better than that of 1911 can do the society a good turn by merely dropping a line to the secretary, so that the ideas can he entered in the suggestion book and acted upon if found practicaole and beneficial by the committee. Astonishing as was the quality of the field roots shown, the exhibits of yellow mangolds were quite put in the shade by a couple of bulbs of the intermediate variety brought in by Mr. G. V. Tate from the farm of Mr. A. Aubrey, of Waitara. These weighed 3fllbs and'3olbs> respectively, and the large one was of perfect shape and soundness, said by experienced growers to be the finest mangold of that variety that they had ever seen. There were some red mangolds in the Bell Block exhibit, too, that would have taken first prize in a separate class, and it is suggested that prizes should be offered for the best red and best yellow mangolds in the whole show.

Whilst on this subject reference may be made to the suggestion of a wellknown agriculturist who was at the show on Saturday night that in judging field roots the judges should par due attention to quantity as well .".s to quality, the farmer pointing out that a big bulb, even if rough and partly hollow, with plenty of green leaves, was better for the fanner than a smooth, small one, with small tops. This is a matter which the judges might well refer to .publicly. The same grower complained Ithat there, was no definite pronouncement in the schedule as to the amount of trimming allowed, and he pointed out the disadvantage suffered by the man who showed his roots merely washed if the judge took into consideration the appearance of other exhibits which had been carefully trimmed above and below. These are matters which will doubtless be considered by the special committee.

As the result of the keen interest displayed in the district competition this year, it is probable that other districts will enter the lists for next year's show, and that the organisation will be taken in hand much earlier than for this year's exhibition.