ASHBURTON A. & P. ASSOCTATION.

SEVENTEEN TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION

THE SHOW.

The Ashburton Agricultural and Pas toral Association have held their seven teenth annual show. The number is gradually rising, and as the years pile up, the men who have been bl c backbone of the Association from its formation m 1878 certainly feel no younger. We, who write thia introductory portion of the show report were m our curly days when che first Show was held at Tinwald m a dost storm that a twenty-thousand horse nor 1-1 wester had been specially selected ap parently to engineer. There would be many blanks m the list of 1878 members were the roll to be called now, but there are still many left of the good old stock who could have said " Here " to the master toll of the first show. Somehow or other the annual show has come to be recognised as an occasion for recalling, to a greater or less extent, the pasb. Every article m these columns, incroductory of the annual show report, has been retro spective of the county's history, and to most of the journalists who have penned them, it has been a comparatively easy mattar, for the simple reason that most of the writers had themselves been so closely identified with the district, and for so long a period, that the history of the A. and P. Association, while it was the history of the county, was also very much the history of Ashburton journalism. It is not an unpleasant retrospect for such of the staff of the Mail and Guardian as were here at the time, to look across the street from their office windows to the establishment of the genial Jewitt, of oyster supper fame, and recall the time when m thad building the Mail was printed and published ; or to note m th«ir perigrina tions about town the several baildings which the Gcjakdian and its forerunners occupied. But the face of the whole dis trict has been wonderfully changed since the first show was hald, and the Society itself has changed its mode of working. In the early days of its history, meetings of the members of the Association were frequent, and one year especially a series of meetings were held at which papers were read by several members, and those papers were valuable indeed. A paper by Mr John Grigg (publishedinthecolumns of the Guardian) was read with great interest m many parts of the colony while not a few newspapers copied it m full, and most of the New Zealand jour nals made copious extracts from ic. It was as an accompaniment to and m illus tration of that paper that Mr Griffs: drew the celebrated design of a model 200-aere farm, whicn plan was to be seen for years after adorning the pages of mary of the annual calendars and year-books jssue-3 by New Zealand publishers. Mr Donald Oliver was also one of. the essayists, deal ing, as was to be expected, with important questions appertaining to sheep. So, too, was Mr F. B. Passmore, and others whose names do not come'just at once to our pen's point. But the farmers, some how, did nob take kindly to these meet ings. For a time or two they attended well, but by and by the attendance fell away, and as the support gave signs of soon reaching the vanishing point, it was not considered advisable to ask any more gentlemen to spend time and trouble on the preparation of papers. But while they lasted, the meetings were very interesting, and the discussions on the papers afforded an opportunity for mutual benefit by the interchange of knowledge and opinion. "Sere were many farmers who we •thought could very well have taken_ part In those discussions, bub whether it was their shyness at hearing the sound of their own voice, or their own "natural cussed ness" that prevented them, was never very certain. At any rate they choso the part of the sailor's parrot who spoke little but was " a terror to think." Yet it was interesting to hear them afterwards, over a jolly glass of colonial perhaps, scalping the -essayists with a keenness of criti cism that was refreshing, or supple menting the information conveyed m the essay, and amplifying with a facility that only an extensive knowledge of the sub ject could supply, when the essay had met with their approbation. Although those meetings fell off, the farmers were not altogether to blame. They had less time on their hands then than now. The county was not m thsoe days the well laid out and nicely fenced trace of land it now is. Strangbrs coming here from the Old Country say the county now is like » slice cut from one of the southern counties of England, with its nice roads, fine homesteads, and well defined and culti vated paddocks. Most of the work of which the nice agricultural picture the county now presents is the result was then still to bo done, and not many of the farmers could really afford the time to attend those meetings. Besides, the meetings were usually held—as most farmers* meetings are now—on the weekly sale day, and m those days a good deal of marketing had to be done by the farmers themselves on sale day. It is very far frombeingan unpleasing reflection that quite an army of the little curly heads m whose interest that marketing; was done m those early days, are now stalwart fellows fit to take their fathers' places m the Association, and sonsy lasses j who (many of them) have not a few charges of their own to care for. The crowds at the early shows were, to our eyes then, very large. But the crowds of recent years have been beyond even the highest hopes of the earlier years. Yei, the great majority of the people who attend are our own—the natural increase of our own population. I And there was a goaheadness about the ©arly members of the Society with some \ of which, as with some of them, we ooald do very well now. There can be no doubt that it was m the ranks of the A. and P. Association that the idea of the Fleraington Cheese "Factory took its rise. The idea was worked out apart, of Coarse, from the Association, but the Association gave ft its most kindly countenance- The factory w*3 not m the end a success, but it had much against it In those days that it would not be handi capped with now ', and, perhaps, were the same men who so gallantly initiated it all tliose years ago to have the thing to do over again with ail the advantages of Cible communication to feel the pulse of the markets, direct steamers to run their products Home m forty days instead of a hundred; the more handy and effective distributing machinery at the other side, the greater knowledge m manufacture and treatment that ia now possessed, and, chief of all, the experience they would now have which they Jacked then. the results would be .vastly different. The promoters of that factory dint noble work m fchejr day, and if only the practical lessons tJaey learned by their own ex perience of what #«# to do were all that they left us, they would have done the county good service. There was an agita tion at the time to start a fasbory for tl.#e Wakanuidiscrict. Jt was perhaps as wejl that the hopes of the promoters did not: reach fruition. Wakanui has always been a strong wheat district, and while wheat mM worth growing lb could, with th.at an 4

its bit: of wool and mutton do very wel! 1 indeed, without bothering greatly about j } dairying. ISiow, however, thab wheat is J fetching m tha Knglish market about as I ! much as it costs the Wakanui farmer to j grow it, the cheese and butter trade may I not be altogether unworthy of attention even by the farmers of Wakanui. The farmers round about Tin wald have thought it worth a trial, and it is to be hoped their venture m a butter factory will repay them well for their pluck and enterprise. One thing the renewed interest m dairy ing will certainly do. It will draw m creased attention to the breeding and rearing of cattle. Ashburton has never been a stronghold of the herd. Wheat has been its great staple ever since the land was first broken, and for many year* the rich soil repaid cultivation with generous returns. It was an easy crop to grow. Its cultivation was a monotonous round of plough, sow, reap, and the ground prepared and che seed sown, the fertik soil did the rest. In the language of ths Book, the "earth brought forth by handfuls." So long as the world's wheat producing area was comparatively limited there was good money m wheat, but now that the immense areas of < America have been brought under the plough, and that m all the four Continents wheat is grown for export by growers who used to be fairly large importers, the wheat growers of New Zealand have begun to find that their staple is no longer to be depended upon to afford a fair living to the wheat farmer. As a consequence much wheat land has gone tmder other ct-op, and pasture has largely taken the place of white crop. The trozen meat trade has opened up one avenue to at least a portion of a living, and farmers will have to turn their attention more to detail farming than they have done m the past, for apparently the wheat dream is over. But whether we grow corn, or wool, or meat, or butter—no matter what we grow, there will ever exist the necessity for the A. and P. Association, and while ths Association lives and flourishes, so also will its annual show. The Show is a goo i test of the live condition of the Associa tion, and is also a fair reflex of the state of the district. A good show indicates that the numbers of the Association do good work, and that the stock raisers and j agriculturists have their eye well upon i their business. Tts educational value to the young farmer cannot be over esti mated, for m it are gathered superb object lessons m the stock shown, while the implement yard is a museum m which is "displayed the master-strokes of the genius of the first implement makers of the day. And the Ashburton Show has never bean an inferior one. It has kept steady pace with the progress of the dis trict, and just as the importance of the district has grown, the show, like an instrument registering meteorological conditions, indicates by the extent of its exhibitors' list the valne which those exhibitors attach to the fixture and the honor of competing and exhibiting on our show ground. We have given annually the "readings" of the show m the following table, which is gradually getting longer ; and the figures as show ing the entries m each section of the show every year since the beginning, along with the totals, are doubtless of in terest : —

1894's figures, as we prophesied last year they would be, are the largest m the total of any show we have yet held, and though w« do not expect that next year they will reach four figures, we are con fident of a large increase on those of this year. As it Is, Ashburton Show is ths second m importance m Canterbury, The clerk of the weather haa much to say m the success of the show. For about a month or so the weather has been re markably fine,—so fine, indeed, that farmers had begun to scan the morning and evening sky anxiously m the hope of noting indications of much wanted rain. Frequently the rain cloud hung .over-head, but its much wished showers fell not, or but with tantalising meagreness. All this week the clouds have been hovering over us, and rain haa been expected, but the rain kept off until late m the afternoon before the show, and then for an hour or more a hearty downpour came. But by eight o'clock the clouds had again lifted, and the moon crept out from be hind her veil. £y midnight the sky was clear from the mountains to the sea, and ' rain seemed as far off as ever. The morn ing broke with an almost cloudless sky and by the time thp sun was well up it was evident that the day would be all that could be wished for, indeed the very perfection of weather, "brilliant sunshine with a pleasant atmosphere, cooled by the grateful rain of the previous evening. This year tnere was a change m the matter of refreshments. The new Licen sing law brought into power a new Com mittee who Knew not the conditional license, and tfie beer booth w^s conspicu ous by its absenpe. As a consequence the whole of the refreshment booths were m the hands of Mr VV. 0. Davis, of the East street dining; rooms, and nob a drop of liquor could be bought upon the ground. There was plenty to eat, however, and those who fancied the "little drop," sufficiently to think it worth while to bring it with them no doubt did so. The grandly sheltered show ground, with its planta tions of stately pines all round it, afforded ample opportunity for little family picnics, which were extensively indulged m. T£ie fine weather brought out the uaual large attendance of the public, and though there were those who fancied that they noted a falling off iv the number of visitors, it did but seem to us that, when the greater room afforded by the absence of the publicans' booths ia allowed for, and tfae largpr accommodation w^ich the trotting paddock gives, the falling off was only apparent. A.t anyrate tfye treasurer's bag was as full as ever, and £i3Q over WBrp t»kes st the gates. T^ere was no,

lack of amusements, and the usual mixed mnltituda of people who make a living m the crowd was to be t-eou. The trotting track was made uae of for the jumping contests, and the new grand stand of the Trotting Club was soon taken mil advantage of. > The officials worked like Trojans, and i the Secretary and his assistants were un- j ceasing m their efforts to oblige every body. To the members of lhe press they were especially kind, and both those from the town papers and the local journals have to tender thanks for the facilities offered for compilirg the information necessary to construct their reports.

SHEEP.

The sheep show was a remarkably good one—m no way behind the shows of former years ; a display of sheep of which any district may well be proud. Not actually up m numbers to the show of last year, but so little below that the falling off was not worth noting. Merinos were nos a large show, but what were shown were the exhibits of Mr W. M. Lyttlefcon. of Rokeby, a name to conjure with m the grand old breed which was the foundation of the sheep wealth of Australasia. Mr Lyttleton's sbeep have ever held their own m the lists of the colony, and his representatives yesterday were well up to his own best standard. He had two old and two young rams, with but little to spare m point of excellence between them, and eacn got a prize—all the prizes available. In Lincolns there was a most gratifying turn out. In aged rams Mr John Studholme showed a fine sheep, bred by Mr Sutton, well shaped, finely ribbed, and with a grand fleece. He was deservedly first, but Mr Joseph Lloyd's ram, by the same breeder, was not far behind, and we were glad to see a New lands farmer m the lists, and showing £tp so well. His ram got second place, while a v h c ticket was given to Mr T. N. Digby's ram, bred by the Hon Matthew Holmes, of Chmaru. Mr Max Fried lanier showed two excellent sires also, but they apparently did not find the same favor m the eyes of the judge. Positions were changed, however, when the judge came to the young rams, m which class Mr Max Friedlander showed u;hree of his own breeding, large-framed, well set up, and well woolled sheep, to which first, second, and third honors were given. A commended ticket was given to a scion of Mr Studholme's nock, a nice nuggetty sheep, with a fleece showing considerable density—a ram which, wbh perhaps a little more careful attention m the push- Ins; of him for show purposes, would have ranked higher m the priza list. V/e have seen many worse sheep than the two Mr T. N. Digby showed carrying red tickets, though we could find no fauli with the judge's placings on this occasion, and the rams of Mr James Stringfellow and Mr Joseph Lloyd were an honor to any show. In the class for mother ewes with lambs at foot Mr James Stringfellow got the call to the front, and a nicely shaped sheep of Mr H. J. Harrison, irom the same locality was runner-ap, Mr Max Fried-1 lander getting the vh c. The young ewes, too, were a fine show, the same con tributors wrestling here for honors, as m the previous class, and all showing beau ties, bub Mr Friedlander's two exhibits again scored red and blue, with Mr String fellow third and vh c. But the English Leicesters were the show of the yard, and it was pleasant indeed to see ouc best breeders of this type of sheep with quite a flock m the pens. Class 13 began with catalogue number 39, and 89 was touched before the catalogue passed on to Border Leicestars. In rams above eighteen months there were ten entries shown— two by Mr T. N. Digby, six by Mr John Bonifant, and two by Mr J. M. Fuizs. They were all grand sheep, and while last * year Mr Digby gained prime honors In sires, this year Mr Bonifant, who was second last year, just stepped m front of him and scored first, Mr Furze coming into third place, bat the sheep m each pen were superb- Tr the younger sires, Mr Bonifant again meant it, and got first m a lot of sixteen, six of which were his own, six Mr Digby's, two Mr Furze's?, and two Messrs Mawson's. This was about as even a lot as the judgs had to sort ocb, and Mr George Jameson's guinea for the beßt English Leicester ram m the yard went to Mr Bonifant, The same compe titors entered—though not so many sheep < —m ewes with lambs, Mr J. M. Furze coming out top sawyer : with the two top cards, Mr Digby third and c, and Mr Bonifant the highly commended honors. This apportionment showed the closeness of the running. In the young ewes the same breeders again crossed swords, with Mr D. Morrow also m the tournament. Mr Furze again scored, winning Mr Boni fant's guinea for the best English Leices ter ewe m the yard, and the first ordinary prizi3 m the class, Mr Digby coming second, and gaining the v h c honors, Mr Bonifant securing a commended. Border Leicesters were also a good show. They did not call out many competitors though the entries were fairly numerous, Messrs Max Friedlander and Petec Drummond being the only two competitors; and be tween those two Lyndhursfc neighbors honors were pretty fairly divide i, although perhaps Mr Friedlander had moat firstg. No South Down sheep were shown, and Mr Max Friedlander's well known Hampshires had no opponents, and were shown m the fine condition iv which his sheep are always forwarded to the exhibi tion pens. Shrops called out a few rams, Mr Studholma winning m aged, and Mr Upton m young rams, while Mr Lyttel ton's ewes were placed m the front rank with Mr Upton's m the commended list. The inbred halfbreds, a type of sheep that has become popular of late ? called oufc Messrs Stringfellow and ijyttelton, whose exhibits were of a high order of merit. \ All the aged rams were shown by Mr Scringfellow, and all scorecj, b,ut m young rams he divided honors with Mr Lyfctel: ton, gaining, however, Mr Copland's guinea for the best inbred halfbred ram on the ground. His ewe with lambs got a deserved first, and he again led with young ewes. In halfbrads, Mr Lyttel ton's only two rams m the aged class were fine samples, and good enough for first! and secon 1, while Mr Max Friedlander's 1 young rams led the way. The crossbreds called out some hearty sheep ; the pens of fat sheep tjeihg such as would have made bidding hum among the butchers it Ad dington, and m these both Mr Fried lander and Mr Stringfellow scored. Mr Friedlander was the only exhibitor of Jamba.

CATTLE.

The cattle classes were well filled, and the quality shown was if anything bette? than last yeiy. More especially was this the case amongst the classes for dairy cattle, and with cattle such as those ex hibited, dairy farming would certainly pay both farmer and factory promoters. la shorthorns Mr Jqhn Small was again the principal exhibitor, and with really good speoimens of the breed secured the major portion of the prizaa. In the class for : bulls over three years his exhibit: Burnett, scored a well merited first. In best yearling bulls, Mr Small's ex hibits, though sadly lacking condi tion, showed more quality tb&n that of Mr D.oherty, and secured first and secqnd, Mr Sihiali's, Primrose, i,s a model ahorthorn cow of first class quality, and well —without a fault; Mr Dohertysecured second with a useful dairy cow. For the bebt cow m calf Mr Small's firs^ p,me animal was another real bc^fcy. In two year olds, Mr doherty succeeded m beat ing his opponent} with a very promising heifer, but m th.c yearlings the order Tjasj, again 'reversed. Mr R. Clarke %lEp,o.a,b nip\iopolised the glasses fo.f Ayjjs^ires, and thoqgh qonae^uently there was little op positioPi his hevci are of suoh undoubted

quality that no one can grruds;© hijcn th awards which fall to his share. It i? mor than probable, moreover, now tha' oar farmers are turning their energies to iHiryiuaf, that this favorite lr tie milker will rpcuivt) more attention. Maggie War-' nock VIII was a first class specimen of the I breed, and as last year secured premier honors. In the same class Mr Henrx Potter exhibited a very useful cow of nic quality. In dairy cows m calf Mr Millar's Spot, a well shaped animal, be*' , Mr Clarke's exhibit ; arid the same ex hibitor took first prza for the best yearl ing heifer, Tho Jersey classes brought forth keen competition m each case, and some first class animals were shown. Mi* Morrow secured first m the class for cows In milk, and his exhibit was a real picture; Mr Peter received a second priza and a commended tickat for two very use ful cows, and Messrs Todhunter and j Dowding's exhibit also received a certifi cate. Anyone of the cowa m this class would catch the eye of a farmer on the I look out for i milking cow. Mr Peters secured first for the be3t cow m calf. Cow slip is a really good specimen, with a pretty head and all the points of h«r breed. For the best heifer above one year old Messrs Todhunter and Dowdine was successful, and Mr Morrow secured first prize for his yearling heifer, each with creditable exhibits. Mr William Harding's Leo was unopposed m the class for bull of any other breed, and secured a first prize. Mr Rollitt's Polly, th© best cow on the ground at last year's show, again secured first prize for the best cow m milk, but m tho class for the best dairy co ip m full profit on the ground her colors were lowered by Mr Porters Spot. In beating Polly it is superfluous to say that Spot was a magnificent speei ment of a dairy cow. She also took the honors for the best dairy cow whare not more than two are kept. The remaining exhibits m the same clasaes were all of good quality. Mr Sam Burnard again scored m fat cattle, securing firsts m both classes with animals that were of ex ceptionally fine quality. By an inad vertence a Jersey belonging to Mr Silcock was placed m the Ayrshire pens and thus lost its chance of a prize.

HORSES.

DRAUGHT stock. The entries for draughts were little short in number of last year, and by no means inferior as to quality or condition. In fact the manner in which the stock is brought out at our show is a feature that is always noted and remarked on by visi tors ; and the quality is so far recognised that no outsiders appear to fancy compe tition with the local stock, much as we should like to welcome them, and see them appropriate a share of the prizes. For the best entire of any age there were three entries, Mr P. Drummond's dark brown Protection taking first, and prize for the best draught entire, beating Mr J. Small's well known prize taker, Lord Cranley. Protection is no doubt a very fine animal, and has improved immensely in Mr Drummond's hands. He may sire just as good stock as the other, but, taking the animals point for point, many judges would no doubt reverse the decision. Every dog has his day, and Mr J. Gil mouc's Kelvin had on thfe occasion to be content with a highly commended. Mr J. Crosson took first prize for two-year old entire with a nice bay colt that took first as a yearling last year, beating Mr J. Small's by Cranley second, and Mr J. Gaskin's by Banker third—both good ones thafc had had more polishing than the winner. Mr J. Shearer's hitherto un beaten Flora McDonald took first for mare in foal, Mr John Small's Miss Palmer .*k;ng sec-md, aud Mr D. Thcmas'special pr-z \ Mr John Shearer's dark chestnut by Young Banker being very highly com mended, and Messrs Mawson'e bay mare by Lord Salisbury highly commended. Miss Palmer also took first and Mr T. Stone's special for mare with two of her progeny—Lord Cranley and Lady, Mr John Shearer's Queen of the Bankers, with progeny by Lord Lome, second, Mr T. Taylor's exhibit being highly commended, The dry mares were a very good lot, Mr John Small taking first with Lady by Vanquisher, Mr T. Taylor second with Little Ma'-y by Young Banker, Mr Small's Polly by Kelvin v h c, and Mr P. Weldon's bay mare Mary by Vanquisher h c Mr Small took first with Empress by Vanquisher and second with Flora by Cranley—both bred by exhibitor, thre_-year-old fillies. In two-year-old fillies, Mr Shearer secured first with a good bay one by Protection, and Mr R. Clarke second with a nice bay one by Crown Prince, Mr W. McLaughlan, taking third and special for the best two pear-old filly by Lord Cranley. In year ling fillies, Mr M. Millar took first whh a promising light brown by Kelvin, Mr T. N.Digby getting second and special for the best iwo-year-old filly by Lord Cranley, Mr T. Taylor's Molly being h c. Mr John Small took first in the geldings of any age. with Prince, a powerful animal by Vanquisher, Mr T. Taylor making a good second with Major by the same sire, another Vanquisher of Mr Small's being hc. Mr T. Taylor's Rodger by Salisbury, a really good colt, obtained first in three year-old geldings, beating Mr Small's Nugget by Vanquisher, which took second honor?, with Mr Gilmour's colt by General Gordon v h c, and Mr Shearer's colt by Crown Prince hc. These were a fine lot, but the eight two year-old geldings that next faced the judges were a very even and superior lo,t, a,nd took a lo,t of picking. However, fortune or fancy turned them out in the following order—Mr T, Taylor's colt by Salisbury first, Mr W.' McLaughkn's by Vanquisher second, Mr «}ames Lemon's by Awamoa third. In two-year-pjds and yearlings shown together, by any draught entire, Mr Smal} took first, with a couple by Cranley, Mr Shearer second with two by Protection, and Mr R. Clarke third with progeny by Crown Prince. Mr Small 1 ook first and W. A. Wood's special for best two-horse team with a handsome pair, Mr Taylor coming a close second and Mr Shearer v h c BLOOD STOCIV The light horses, pQbg, a.nd ponies were on the vfhqle a remarkably good lofc. The hunters uook their ordinary fences in good style, but four foet nine inches, at which height the high jump was won, is a poor performance for hunters, and equally creditable to the ponies which cleared the same height. In entires of any age Mr Parson's Artillery, by Musket-Oii'da,, was easily first. He has good looks, "sub stance, quality and si?,?, his lohs and quarters being particularly good; Mr S. Brown's Gorton, which took first last year, looking heartier and more robust tfean formerly, took second;, ths haadsoxna and well kn_y youn,g Cheviot being third. _i r Tweed's fine bay mare Molly. * 0 y j<" nofc . tingley, took first for brc-ocl mare, Mr S. Brown coming second with his light bay mare Zephyr, also a mare of good siza and quality. This mire also secured Mr Thomas' special prize. In tha class for two year old fillies, Dr Tweed's Little Mary, a compact fijly of good quality, by .Johnny Faulkner, took first, this being the only entry. In yearling fillies a very handsome dark brown of Mr R. Houston's | took first, Mr E. Roberts being second i with one by Kosciusko, M* Gri'/g's well : known General Tra #jy obtained first as a carriage. etaJUon, Mr D. McLean's Mam br?]p,o, ; Mac in the pink of condition being second. Mr Grigg's Road Metal, by Tracey, wonderfully like fas sire, took first in three jeaj eloUntlres* Mr Thomas' American (whiph haa grown and improved atf^tly. sinQft the parade) second, and i Toron&o, a Strong steel grey by Texas and j ow_ed %y Mr Begg vh c In two year I old entires Mr Denis McKendry secured f first with a strong bay one by Tracey, Mr 1 Stringfellow obtaining second with one by

'Jatnel. Mr W Lauydon secursrt first- and Mr Buckley's special for brood nwes with * really good one by Mambrino M<»c, Mr •1 Small a close seco d and Mr Thomas special with a fine mare by Black wooj. Abdullah, Mr Max FiiedSauder third with another Blackwood mare In three year old mares or geldiags, Mr J*mes Oroy was first with a Rouser, Mr Shearer second with a Bhrkwvod, and Mr J«mes Lemon fhc with a Hnnningron. Mr Gsorge Griddiags secured first with a Macilleathean ra two year old geldings, Mr D MoKny second with a Mambrino Mac, and Dr Tweed third with a Camel. In yearling colts Mr P Standish took first and Mr Grisjg's special with a stylish one by Tracey, Mr John Shearer second with another Tracey, and Mr Langdon v h c and Mr McLean's special with a Mambtino Mac. In the class two year old fillies, Mr John Moorhead obtained first with a good ( ot>e by Dexter, Mr Wallace with a Burl ington filly second, Mr James Me- j Cormick's by Blackwood third. Mr Geo. Robertson secured Mr McLean's special for best rwo-year-oW, by Mam brino. Tn yearling fiilies Mr J. Corbitt took first and special with a fine strong one by Bomerang, Mr .). D Bell second with another good one by the same horwe, and Mr J. Qninn vh c for a Berlin. For buggy horses not under fifteen hands, Dr Tweed obtained first and special with his well known grey Kitty, Dr Leahy's Glamour second, and Mr H. J. Harrison's Blossom vh c. Mr Grlgg's remarkably fine gelding Gilbert, a real good atepper, seenred first and .Mr Stitt'a special as a sixteen-hand dogcart horse, Dr Tweed's Isaac f^one not easily baaten) second, and Mr Bradford's black mare vhc. Mr H H Wright took the tandem prize ; the string were good movers, and the leader very showy. Mr GA M Buckley, with a team that would deserve a prize anywhere secured that for four m hands The trotters are teo well known to par ticularise. In entires of any age Mambiino took first, The American second and M M vhc, and Mr M Friedlander's special Tn hackney entires over three years Mr Grigg's neat Xerxes was first, Blackwood Ablallah (who was probably considered out of his class) second In two-year-old entires Mr M Friedlander took first with a handsome bay, one by Abdallah, Mr Robertson's by Mambrino second. Mr G A M Buckley's br g Longfellow was first m I4*fc hacka, with Mr Grigg's Paddy second. Mr Buckley's well known Victor. was first for twelve stone hacks. Mr Kernahans showy bay Ballymena second and Mr Grigg's Patea third, and the rest have no cause to be ashamed of being beaten. Mr Grigg's very handsome bay Goldtop took first m the ten stone class, Dr Tweed's Jimmy second, and Mr Traves' Hard Times third, Mr J. Joynt's Mona he. This class was also a good lot, save that some of them required to be taught better manners. Miss Button re ceived first for lady's hack, with a bay by Quamby, Mr E W Robert's Spaniard second, and Mr D Thomas'special. The cobs were a good lot, Mr Rosen dala's blk i? Willie taking first, Mr L- Webster's Dot second, a very nice chest nut mare of Mr d. Barnard's vh c, and Mr Todhunter's Piccolo h'c- Messrs Reid and Gray's Tommy was too fat to show to advantage, or he might have occu pied a higher position on the list. Mr Denis Mc'Kendry's two-year-old and Mr Shearer's yearling, both by Tracey, took the prizes for one and two-year-olds by one stallion. Only two candidates arrived for the fourteen stone hunters trial, and Mr G. A.; M. Buckley's Taipo jumping well was placed first, Mr Origg's Paddy, a creditable performer, second. The eleven s.one hanters also gave a good account of themselves, Mr Kernahan's Ballyraena, an upstanding, showy, bub excitable animal taken first, and Messrs Todhunter and Jennir.st's special, Mr Buckley's i Victor second, Mr Grigg's Gamester v h c, and Mr E Boberts' Dagmar h c. In ponies, Mj T S Johnston took firsfe and Mr Buckley's special with Kajah, a strong and handsome one by Prince Chinning, Mr Silcox's Brilliant second, and Mr Hewson's Blandin third. Mr Buckley's Skipper was first for mare or gelding nob over fourteen hands, Mr Joe Henry's Tara second, Mr Graves' Gay-Lad o. Master B. Horsey's Scamp, a pretty little chestnut, took first for ponies under thirteen hands, Mr Silcock's b m Motto secoud, and Mr J. Henry's Jimmy c- The Leaping Match calls for no special remark, Ballymena winning afc four feet nine inches- The pony leaping match was a better performance Master J Henry's Jimmy jumped well, but dropped out at four feet six Inches. Mr J Orr's Prince failed to qlear the bar at four feet nine inches, which My Buckley's Nobby nego tiated and won. Mr R Curtis' Gert dropped out at four feet, but her rider did not appear to understand his mount or vice versa. A notable feature of the Show was the horse parade* After judging, the whole of the horses on the ground were sent-into the trotting grounds, and were ther© mar shalled into their proper classes and places as catalcsgned, and the lot paraded round the ground and out through the show ground. Such a. collection of animals as were present on this occasion made a grand procession which alone was worth a tramp to the show grounds to witness, and it is to te hoped that the same course will be followed on future occasions, as it ©ancot fail to prove an attraction to the general public, and a graj^fying spectacle to those who love a go,od horse.

PIGS.

In pigs there was again a splendid show, though t)»e honors were practically divided between the two leading exhibi tqra of last year—Messrs Rowe and Wills. As toe many years past, Mr Rowe was unopposed m Yorkshires ; but In Berk shires Mr Wills, the local exhibitor, beat his formidable rival by one point for Mr McLachlan's prize of two guineas fo,r most points m chac breed. The all-aged class for boars brought out two fine animals, and the judge's cask to decide between the pajr must have been anything but easy. Mr Rawe'a exhibit was awarded first prise, with Mr Wills of course second In the class for boars under twelve months, Mr Rowe was easily first out of three exhibits, his "Windsor Boy" being a really fine sample of a Berkshire pig, beautifully shaped, and showing m perfection all the qh^ctesjistics of his breed, Jnd,e©d it ig. probable, that had there be<?n a, prias for the best bpar- o$ the ground, Windsor Boy wou^d have secured it. In the cks^ for boaus »*Yaer : six months. Mr %>we was agai'- g rsfc \ n t intte 9fcss«w«JW WBI- tW6 f; e months Mr WiHa was fts^, wifch a pig thafc migh t well oeiy competition m any show m JS^ Zealand, Mr Kowe took first for a fine s«Qpr under twelve months, and his opponent took the next honors with three splendid pigs. Mr Rowe was first and second m the class for the best sow under six months, bub m the next class—that for sow and litter—the order was reversed, Mr Wills securing premier honors with an even lot of suckers. In Yorkshire, Mr Rowe was again un opposed, but it is needless to say the piga shown by him were well worthy of awaids and secured them.

DOGS.

'the exhibits m this interesting class were mucii superior to that of last year, and included some model animals for the farmer and shepherd. In the class for the best smooth-coated collie, Mr Jones took first prize with a good Bervlce able looking animal. The prises offered for rough-coated collies brought forward eight entries, and mostly of good quality. Mr Cambridge took first with " Kerry," a dog with a pretty head, and showing all the points required m a

sheep dog. For the best cattle dog, of two ?ood exhibits. Mr J. Gilmour took first prize.

PRODUCE.

The produce shed was perhaps to the female portion of the visitors at the Show the most attractive feature to b 9 seen. The exhibits of Messrs Owles and Com pany and of Messrs Fletcher and Humph reys, referred to elsewhere, were the source of much comment, but the chief interest centred m the sxhibits of dairy produce, more especially as these were mainly the exhibits of fanners' wives. Mrs Small and Mrs Horsey, true to their reputation, were to the fore m this department and secured the lion's share off he prizes. In separator butter, Mrs McGuinness gained two first prizes and ' Mrs A. Weston a second. With the separator condition out of the way, Mrs J. Small was m evidence, and secured a first for three pounds of fresh butter, a first and special for fancy butter, a second priz3 for salted butter, and a first and special for the best colonial cheese. The mayor's pr'ze for any exhibit of butter without prints fell to Mrs A McKenzie, and Mrs McDouall gained the awaid for Halted butter. Mrs J Small, with some first class exhibits or hams and bacon— good quality and well cured—gained two first and two special prizes and a second, and also a first award for the only exhibit of mutton hams. In the same classes Messrs Opie and Sons and Mrs Horsey secured prizes with commendable exhi bits. Both hens' and ducks' eggs were represented by several ev«n dozens, Mrs Horsey securing the award for the hens' eggs and Mrs M Hill for ducks' eggs. The classes for home made bread produced very large entries, and to distinguish the best, from twenty-five or thirty entries, must have indeed been a difficult task for the judge. The majority of these exhibits were apparently all that could be desired, and Mrs W and Mrs J Small have certainly added a coveted laurel to those already gained by their family m farm produce, by securing the first and the second awards for home made bread. Messrs Sharplin and Co.'s special prizl) fell to Mrs J Porter, Out of twenty-eight exhi bits of six scones, Mrs J Smith gained the first prize, and Miss M Stlgley secured the special. Mr Zander's special prize for two loaves of bread was won by Mrs W Prebble, and a prize by the same gentleman for six scones fell to Mrs Timmins. Mrs Hugo Friedlander beat twenty two exhibitors and secured Messrs Rollitt and Co.'s special prize for bread, and Mrs J Bishop gained Mr Thomas's prize. There were six exhibits of honey, and Miss J Croy was the successful com petitor. In the same shed Mr J Bishop gained two first awards for a collection of field produce and an exhibit of cow grass. In regard to the scones, perhaps the youngest exhibitor m the Show, as she certainly was the youngest baker, was Dr Tweed's little six-year-old daughter, Mary.

IMPLEMENTS.

[ In the early days of the Show, agricul ture in this county was in a comparatively rude condition. A plough, single furrow (and swing at that very often), a harrow, 1 the loan of a side delivery reaper (in its absence the scyi-he), a dray, and a few of the minor hand implements made up a farmer's equipment Dr Anderson, an agricultural authority of the last century, speaking in 1802, said there were no im plements that admitted of greater im provament than those of husbandry, on the principle of diminishing weight with out in any degree abating their strength. During the century, towards the close of which we are now fast drawing, the doctor's remark haß been abundantly veri* fied, for there has been no single depart ment of farm work on which the improv ing mind and hand af the inventor a„d skilled artificer have not been employed with amazing success. But Vt is more particularly since the fir^' c settlement of our county that the \ o ngest strides in the improvement 0 f farm implements and machinery have been taken. To one who takef ; a keen interest in this subject, as tne writer does, there is a great tempta tion to dilate lovingly upon the theme, but as to do so would be tedious to the general reader, who no doubt has kept the procession of successive improvements well in view, it is the wiser plan to go on to note what was to be seen in the imple ment yard. Ib is here that a man of middle age can see where the real progress of the maker of farm implements has been made, and this spot in the show ground is quite an educational institution for the young men who have chosen as their lot in life the healthiest of all occupations, as it is the oldest and the noblest—the tillage of the soil. MES.SRS P. AND D, DUNCAN. The Show comes but once a year, but after it has been the pleasing duty for a succession of years to say kindly things of <-his pushing firm's exhibits, one feels at first as if he would have to cast about for some new thing to say about them— something different—something that one has not said before. But custom cannot stale nor age wither the infinite variety of the implements they produce, Their eyes are ever open, with hawk-like keenness, watching tor a chance to improve, and so soon as a way of strengthening a weak point, of lessening labor, of shortening the workman's reach in handling imple ments, of reducing the movements he has to make, or even in the slightest degree increasing the efficiency of the implement itself, makes itself apparent to the brains of the firm, the opportunity is at ©»ce seized, and the improvement is made. They hold a place in the forefront of the army of implement makers of the world, and the fame of their ploughs has reached V3ry far indeed. They show the usual large yard of handsomely finished ploughs of all kinds, grubbers, ridgers, hoes* harrows, hay-rakes, sowers, and the, frills of which they make a specialty. Disc I harrows, too, and spading hajfawws, both triumphs of the inventi^Q. genius of the century, are in evidence, with a sample of the drays thejj build, a patent wool press, a patent spring-tic© cultivator, and two of _$hj. Jjames Oliver's contributions to N;ew Zealand's list of patents—his threshing machine and his clover thresher, shelter, and diresserg j messes heid and gray h,av© fcb., r, ex fc stand, and here fco© are show a the triumphs of the colcafol plough makers. It is quite a pleasure to walk along this stand and adipaire as one, must the superb implements they show. The firm of course, like all our colonial makers, own no superiors in ploughs, and certainly ; rheir exhibits at this Show go far to j warrant their claim. The catalogue off] implements made by them is very full, and in most of the lines mentioned as shown by the Duncan's, they are also represented, Their list of digging ploughs —an implement coming more and more into use every year—is large, while an extra heavy farm dray with an attachment for slicing turnips and leaving the slices on the paddock for sheep was shown yes terday. MASON, STRXTTHEES AND CO, This firm showed the Deering harvester and binder, with the improvemerAta lor the year added, and a De Laval's creara separator " Alpha B." The separator was as usual the centre of attraction, with _& added interest owing to. the impetus white-i the dairying ind^try has received by the recent opening of a butter factory at Tin wald. There was also aDe Laval, "Thft Humming Bird," Just large enough to de. ifche work on what poor old Johnny Bennett would have called a "two-cow farm." The firm also showed some ex cellent binder twine.

for continuation 0/'rqperc see fourth 2>ag4

THE ASHBORTON GUARDIAN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1894.



Totals

Sheep Cattle Horses ... Pigs Poultry ... Implements Dogs ... ... ... Diiry Produce N Z. Manufactures Extra Exhibits... Wool  Horseshoeing Small birds eggs ani heads ... ... ...

i

Classes. [

288 386

i

— — I

58 i 75 I 11 16 82 76 8 U 11 17 50 48 8 9 13 23 19 12 IS 75

IS7B 1879

395 I

_ I

61 23 105 11 29 67 14 41 12 32

ISSO I

43S

-

87 36 94 9 37 75 12 44 11 33

18813

522

~

89 29 130 19 34 67 17 41 15 81

1882:

428 421 I

__J_

!

-!-

1883* 18S4 89 102 25 39 97 115 6 21 11 — 94 20 7 23 39 5 3 54 16 4

529

i

2

•

—

123 I 41 132 45 8 79 21 52 13 7

I

ISBS

46G !

1

3

-

77 24 73 3 4

111 34 114 22

18S6 :

403 '

--

3

4

77 20 96 8 7

-

59 55 150 20

ISB7 :

602

i

6

13

—

105 98 9 17

74 34 181 : 56

j.

1888 1:

640

j

4 I

15

68 15 122 5 S

_

18891 85 42 245 < 31

660

7

16

87 16 127 6 14

91 41 237 18

1890

710 790

5 10 1 4

116 94 18 19 108 171 3 1 | 24 16

18911892 123 !171 44 ! 60 216 226 52 18

1851 I.

l_

2

102 21 146 i 30

213 ] 71 245 i 20

18931

'884

4

77 13 236 35

168 80 240 30

1894



! FOB SALE. [A CAPITAL -HOME.for a family, co Gaining eight rooms, /X. situate on £ acre of ground, first-class quality and well stocked with good Fruit Tree*, good healthy locality and within three minutes'walk of Church, Convent School Borough School, Bailway station, Post office, and last but not least the JJomain. F. FfiBBIMAN. FOB SALE. A Second-hand four Hoise Power Portable Engine by Brown and May—one of the best English makers. Price LowJ Terms Given. P . FBRBIMAN. FOB SALE. One Second-hand Portable Engine, by Buston and Proctor; also one Double Bagger Chaffcutter, price low enough to warrant any fanner buying to keep on his own farm. F. FEREIMAN, Ashburton. FOB, SALE. A Farm of Eight Acres, with Four-Boomed House, close to School and Bailway Station. F. FEBBIMAN For £85 you can obtain Over J acre of Land, with a very Comfortable Four-roomed House, fitted with Good Bange and Dresser, there is also upon the land a Large Workshop which could be used for a stable if desired. Why pay 10s a week when you can buy at this price ? Title Clear. Terms can be arranged, Only six minutes' walk to Hampstead School. F. FEBKIMAN. gOE BALE. One Traction Engine, six-horse power, (a bargain) , can be seen working at any time. F. lEBBIMAN. FOB SALE. A block of 8| acres of land, owner would erect a house on same and make terms with buyer. F. FEBBIMAN. FOB SALE CAHOON'SJPATENT BROADCAST SEED SOWER. PRICE £li Will Bow^Oata, Turnip, Clover, and other Small Seeds. F. FERRIMAN. PAY A VISIT TO R. SALEK'S Jewellery Estattlis'-hmeiit FOR Wedding & Hirthday Presents and Presentations. TIHE LARGEST AND CHOICEST STOCK (VT BEASONABLB PRICES) TO SELECT FROMj —-—13 SOJLJE, AgQE^T WONDERFUL JDlxtt JDixlt JDixit WHITE MET'AJL W AjX 0 E|EjS Al|tßO3^tO 308. WEAR AND ;LOOK SUKE SILVER' SOLE A|GENT "SPEOIALITE SPECTACLES AND PATENTED SYSTEM SIGHT TEST ING.