Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1893.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4511, 31 August 1893, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1893.

For the past dozen years tho Masterton Horticultural Society seems to have run pretty much in one groove. Sometimes its modeat income lias been a few shillings lets than its expenditure, and at others it has been a few shillings more) but year after year its finances have stood a\) a certain low level, above which it seems powerless to rise. The shows are usually a little weak as regards entries, and the attendance at them is unsatisfactory. Many years ago we urged that the Sooiety should ißSue a bolder programme and offer prizes which might attract competitors as far north as Woodville, and as far South as Wellington. A. B, and 0.) get weary in showing against one another in pot plants, pumpkins, or rhubarb year after year, without practically any new competitors coming into the field, and interest in the show dwindles instead of increases. What is wanted, perhaps, is that a greater number of leading residents should combine to place either the spring or autumn show ou a different footing by offering a schedule whiob would attract exhibitors and visitors from every Wairarapa town. The day for small things in tho way of such shows seems to us to havo lasted long enough. The publio would, we believe, respond to a proposal to organise a special grand show which j would attract ten times the number! of persens who now patronise it. If overtures were made for Wellington horlioulturalists to bring exhibits to such a show, we should soon see Wairarapa growers put on their mettle and displaying an unwonted interest in an event which they now regard with comparative apathy. A little enterprise might altogether chaDge the humdrum charaoter of our horticultural shows and infuse new life into the Society.