37

11.—29b

the old practice to such a degree that just as much beef can now be put on the market at from thirteen to twenty months. Cream and Ice-cream Consumption. Persons from other countries, if at all observant, travelling through the United Stales and ('anada cannot but be impressed by the enormous quantities of sweet cream and ice-cream con sunied in the towns and cities. The ice-cream trade, from almost a negligible industry oigli; or ten years ago, has assumed enormous proportions, with apparently an ever-increasing market. Large establishments for the manufacture of ice-cream are to be found in all of the principal centres of population, and are even spreading to minor townships. The huge quantities of cream and milk being diverted into both these channels within recent years is phenomenal, and is having a marked effect on supplies now available for manufacture info butler and cheese. lee-cream factories are now equipped with machinery capable of converting the whole milk product into ice-cream. Mules. In the United States there are 4,4:49,000 mules. The mule is a successful, drudge. lie has won universal esteem in America for his working-capacity. It is natural to find hi in and the horse working on the same corn-belt farms, the same western ranches, and the same city streets, each apparently doing his i'uli share of labour. The mule has firmly established his reputation as a patient, indispensable slave, unequalled for sufferance of his driver's negligence, and for adaptability to varied climates. On the mountain-pass no other foot carries strength so great. In lugging the products of the mine from the dark, damp recesses of the earth his efficiency has given him a practical monopoly, and for use in front of an army-wagon or under an army-pack he alone is sought. He lakes up his life's burden of work .at an early age, and goes steadily on with it long after it would seem his days had been numbered. America drew its foundation stock from all parts of the world, and has given the .lack a fair show in the breeding-stud and accorded his get full credit for work well done. The United States to-day owns more than half of the mules in the whole world, arid their value as workers is so appreciated in that country that increasing numbers are bred every year. The average mule in America is always higher priced than the average horse. The draught mule weighing 1,650 lb. when a four-year-old is the ideal for work, and the money-maker. Canada up lo within a, year or two ago was not a mule-using country, but now large numbers are being introduced 011 the ranches of her north-west, and the demand is for big ones. There can be no doubt, that in many places throughout New Zealand where development is in its earliest stages, particularly in rough and as yet almost inaceessable country, the mule would be found far superior to the horse for real drudgery. Poultry. As regards this industry, the features are the enormous consumption within recent years and the resultant high prices. Although the production has greatly increased- more than doubled within ten years, it has not kept pace with the demand. Agricultural Exhibitions or Fairs. These are generally held in the late summer or early autumn months, at a lime winch makes it possible not only to have exhibits of live-stock, but also the products of the field and horlieiil tural exhibits, thus making the exhibition or show more attractive to a larger number of people and of greater educational value to an agricultural community than purely live-stock shows. I had an opportunity of being present at two of these in Canada-—one at the City of Quebec, on the Ist September, and the other, the Canadian National Exhibition, at Toronto, Ontario, on the 7th September, 1915. This latter exhibition, which is held annually, is the largest of the kind on the Continent of America, and last year began on the 28th August and closed on the 13th September. In 1913, which was jubilee year, over 1,000,000 people attended the exhibition. Last year (1915) the attendance was 864,000. The grounds, which cover an area of 270 acres, are situated overlooking Lake Ontario, arid can be reached by tram-car from the City of Toronto. They are beautifully laid out: wide, well-formed asphalted roadways extend in all directions, and wide flag-paved pathways are provided on each side of the roadways, with well arranged flowerborders and shrubberies in suitable places. The buildings, which are extensive, are of striking design and of a permanent character, being built of stone, brick, or reinforced concrete, the principal ones amongst many being the Government Building, Manufacturers' Building, Industrial Building, Transportation Building, Agricultural Hail, Women's Building, and Canadian Railways Building. The grandstand is a great structure. The Exhibition authorities churn that it'is the largest, covered grandstand on the Continent of America, a, claim which is readily believed when one gets an opportunity to view the immensity of the structure. The entries for competition in all classes and sections of breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and swine were very large, and the quality of the exhibits was undoubtedly of a high order. The sheep classes consisted of the following breeds, with number of sections into which each breed was divided for competition : Cotswold, 13 sections; Leicester, 12; Shropshire, 20; Oxford Down, 12; South Down, 12; Dorset Horn, 12; Lincoln, 12: Hampshire, 12; Suffolk Down, 12. There was also a special claims in which prizes of .£4, £3, and .£2 were given by the Dominion Government for the best five sheep the get. of one ram in each of the above-named breeds. All animals competing for these special prizes were required to be Canadian-bred. The exhibits of agricultural products made by the Dominion and Provincial Departments of Agriculture were very extensive. Other prominent exhibits were dairying, horticulture, botany, poultry, fruit, apiary, mines, and fisheries.