AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. (Herald.)

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 221, 9 October 1873, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. (Her ald.)

The memhors of the New Zealand Agricultural Society met at the Criterion Hotel yesterday afternoon— Mr T. Goodfellow occupied the chair. Fifteen members were present. Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The rules passed at the last committee meeting with reference to tho forthcoming cattle show were brought before the meeting for amendment or confirmation. — Mr Robertson moveJ that rule 18, wliieh states that nil exhibits must have been the lon&fide property of the exhibitor for at least three months, imported animals to be oxcopted, be referred back to tho committee. — Mr Andrews moved, as an amendment, lhat the rule bo altered to one month. The araendmont lapsed for want of a seconder, and the motion was carried. Some discussion took place upon the special prizes, but at last they were allowed to remain as decided upon by the committee. Mr Lawry asked if a person would have to pay every time he entered the show, or if, having paid once, he could receive a pass to admit him a second time. At the last show a person had to pay every time he entered. — Mr May said that at homo they had to pay every time they entered the show 5 if ticket passes were allowed they would be transferred to others.— The matter was referred to the committee. Eule nino was suspended, and the following gentlemen were admitted as members of (lie society: — Messrs A. Bouchrr, R. Baddloy, John May, jnn., Joieph May, |jun., and J. Howe. - A letter was receiver! from the Protection League, asking Unit ihp Agrirullnrnl Soi'ioty should be represented at tho coming meeting of agriculturalists and others, to be held the day nfter the Cattle Show. Messrs Goodfellow, Taylor, and Kobcrtson were appointed as representatives by the society. In accordance with notice oi motion, Mr Henry Buttle proposed, " That a prizo be given by this society for qho best

es3ay on the improvement of our method of agriculture " The mover sujipoi ted his motion at some length; the sub* stance of his remark& ben q that although we have a splendid country, it is wretchedly farmed ; and it was to o.blajn a theoretical knowledge of farming which might be'practically useful, thnt he brought forward his motion. — Mr Andrews seconded the motion pro form*. — Jlr Woodward considered the subject too extensive in its nature' — Mr Shepherd thought that the best method of fanning to make money, with the least amount of capital required to do it with, should be the subjeot dealt with. As the meeting was not favourable towards at once adopting the motion, the mover withdrew it for the present. — Mr Joseph May spoke of the land being impoverished by taking crops oil" it, mid the ntwscity of doing something to artificially restore the balance of nature, and cause it to continue to hold its fertile qualities.— rile wa<s. of opinion thaJt cultivation, drainage, and manuring w»re subjects which should engage the attention of farmers. — Mr A. Buttle considered that farmers did not sufficiently understand the ebemlstry of agriculture, nnd was of opinion that a school of agricnlturo should be cstnblished. If the system of farming was understood, he believed that it would pay. — Another member belie* od that frequent cropping would not pay, but that grazing would not deteriorate land. This discussion concluded the business of the meeting, which adjourned fora month.