Transcript:Bendigo Advertiser/vXXIIIn6475p2

Friday, 10th of March, 1876
(Next page)

NORTH WESTERN AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY'S SHOW AT Newbridge

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDANT)
Newbridge, 9th March.
The annual agricultural show of the North Western Agricultural Society was held at Newbridge yesterday, and in many respects it was one of the best that has yet been held. The attendance was about up to the average, there being perhaps 1,000 people present. There was a large number of visitors from Inglewood. The threatening appearance of the weather no doubt deterred many more from attending. On entering the yard one of the first things that attracted attention was the show of horse stock on the northern side of the yards. About fifty equine animals were entered, which was rather above the usual number, but the quality, generally speaking, was not quite up to the average, although there were a few notable exceptions. Two very diminutive ponies in this class received a great deal of attention from the juveniles. Mr Horwood's Vanquisher, as usual, came in for considerable praise, as also did Glasgow Prince, belonging to the same gentleman, and Mr. John Steel's magnificent animal Sir Robert. Next to these were the pigs, which, however, were scarcely worthy of mention. Then were the sheep, which, though few in number, were good in quality. On the other side of the yards were the cattle, which numbered about 20, the most prominent exhibit in which was Mr Horwood's bull, Duke of Melbourne, an animal which was very favorably commented on by cattle fanciers at the Grand National Show at Talbot, last year. A fine Hereford bull, belonging to Mr. Hart, was exhibited. There were a few good farm drays and wagons on the ground. The show of machinery, which was in the centre of the ground, was better than that of last year. There were some good chaff cutters, and a novelty in the form of a hand barrow grass seed drill, in front of which a horse can be placed to assist in the locomotion. It was about 10 feet in length. Another seed drill was exhibited, but appeared to be too complicated for general use. A number of first-class double furrow ploughs were shewn. A large and conveniently placed shed in the centre of the yard contained the exhibits of fruit and other miscellaneous articles. In fruit the apples and pears were excellent, considering the bad season for that kind of fruit. Grapes, both wine and table, were passably good. A splendid fuschia was exhibited by Mr. G. W. Brown, hut the rest of the flower show was indifferent. A varied assortment of cheese was forward, and in my opinion the best quality, in this instance, did not get the prize. The show of grain was extremely good, that of wheat particularly so. The poultry was very poor, both iu quality and quantity. There were about half a dozen exhibits of buggies and light vehicles, and some of these were really first-class articles, notably a concord buggy exhibited, by Messrs Pickles and Sons, of Sandhurst. Some dissatisfaction was expressed at the way in which the judges awarded the prizes for these traps. A waggonette, exhibited by Messrs Pickles and Sons, was declared by two out of the three judges to be of superior make than one shown by Mr O. L. Stoneman of Sandhurst, and the first prize ticket was attached to it. A short time afterwards the third judge came up and said that the judges had altered their minds, and the first-class ticket was taken of Messrs Pickles' waggonette and placed on that of Mr Stoneman. The affair caused some astonishment, the majority of those present viewing the action as a wrongful oue, they considering that the waggonette awarded first prize in the first place, displayed far better workmanship and finish than the other. The committee of the society cannot be complimented on the judgment exercised by them with regard to receiving entries of exhibits. The objects of an agricultural association have always been understood to be to encourage the production of first class articles, by means of holding periodical competitions, and of affording people opportunities of judging as to the best way to produce exhibits, but the committee seems to have ignored these recognised principles entirely. For instance, the exhibits of colonial wines were restricted to the vineyards in the immediate vicinity, and the consequence was that the majirity of the exhibits were perfect muck. There were several Sandhurst vignerons who wished to forward samples of their wines to the show, but through the obnoxious provision mentioned they were prevented from doing so. A number of the wines exhibited contained the ingredients for the making of first-class wine, if properly treated, but through the want of knowledge on the part of the growers the good qualities were not brought out. If the Sandhurst vignerons, who can now claim to be able to produce wine equal to any to be obtained iu the colony, were allowed to exhibit, the local growers would certainly not have carried off the honors, but they would have gathered a deal of valuable information, which they could turn to use, and in time be able to make good wines, which would compete favorably with those produced in the other district. The society would be consulting their interests, as well as those persons engaged in agricultural pursuits in their midst, if the rule alluded to wera abolished. The following is the prize list:-
Class A.- Horses. Best draught entire, J. Horwood (Vanquisher.) Best colonial entire, J. Steel (Sir Robert), Newbridge. Best dry mare, J. Steel, Newbridge (Rosa Bella); J. Horwood (Mountain Maid), 2nd prize. Brood mare, with foal at foot, J. Steel (Belle); 2nd prize, J. Steel. Three-year-old gelding, E. Joyner, Newbridge. One-year-old gelding, J. D. Millar, Woodstock (Scotchman). Three-year-old filly, 1st prize, J. Steel (Maggie Bell); 2nd, W. B. Simpson. Two year-old filly, J. Steel (Darling). One-year-old filly, J. Martin, Newbridge, 1st and 2nd prizes. Draught foal, J Steel. Useful hack, J. Horwood, (Tommy); D. Millar, 2nd prize. Pair draught horses, J. Steel. Shod draught horse, Donald McKenzie, Newbridge. Shod hackney, Donald McKenzie. Colonial entire yearling colt, Wm. Jones, Wedderburn, recommended (Wallace, by Vanquisher.)
Class B:-Cattle. Best shorthorn bull, over two years, J. Horwood (Duke of Melbourne). Best shorthorn bull, two years old or under, J. Horwood (Hero). Shorthorn heifer, two years, J. Horwood, 1st., and 2nd prizes. Shorthorn cow, three years old or over, J. Horwood, 1st prize; J. Steel, 2nd, Hereford bull, M. Hart, Newbridge. Dairy cow, in milk, 1st prize, J. Douglas, Laanecoorie; 2nd, B. Whittaker. Two fat bullocks or cows, J. Horwood.
Class C.-Sheep. Best two long wooled rams, J. Horwood, 1st; R. Cay, 2nd. Two Southdown rams, Wm. Michael, Laanecoorie, 1st and 2nd. Two ewes, long woolled, J. Horwood. Two ewes, Merino, R. Cay, 2nd prize. Two ewes, Southdown, W. Michael, 1st and 2nd prizes. Lincoln Lamb, M. Kelly, Bridgewater, recommended.
Class D.-Swine. Best boar, any breed, Hugh McKinnon, Newbridge. Sow, with litter, James Walker, Newbridge.
Class E.-Poultry and dairy produce. The only prizes for poultry in this class were, for gander and geese, to Mr. Irvine, Loddon Park; drake and ducks, W. Leron, Newbridge. Three pounds fresh butter, without punt or device, A. Summers, Newbridge, 1st prize- others not worthy. Two colonial cheeses, M. Burke, Woodstock, 1st prize; C. Mettleman, Arnold's Bridge,2nd.
Class F.- Machinery mid Implements. Swing plough, T. Henderson and Co.; wheel plough, Swan and Co.; double furrow plough, Kelly and Preston, Ballarat; horse seed drill, Mrs. Hatty, Newbridge; grubber and scarifier, Swan and Co.; field roller, Albert Summers, Newbridge; set of harrows, Swau and Co.; farm wagon, John McDougall, Bridgewater; hay cart, Grissald, Laanecoorie; reaping machine, Bonsfield and Co., Laanecoorie; winnowing machine, Thomas Ramsay, Newbridge; chaff-cutter, steam-power, Albert Summers, Newbridge; chaff-cutter, handpower, Swan and Co.
Class G.-Grain. Best 8 bushels wheat, shown as sample from 230 bushels of the same quality. Twelve entries. 1st prize, D. Fyfe, Loddon Vale; weight per bushel, 67 lbs. 12 ozs. (Mr. Fyfe obtained a prize in this class last year.) 2nd, W. Hawkins, Derby, 67 lbs 10 ozs. 3rd, Margery Fye, 67 lbs. 6 ozs. Eight bushels oats, Tartarian sample, from 100 bushels- D. Miller, Woodstock, 2nd prize. Eight bushels short oats, sample from 100 bushels.-1st prize, T. Cooper, Woodstock, 41 lbs. 12 ozs; 2nd, J. McKillop, Newbridge. Eight bushels English barley, sample from 100 bushels.-1st prize, N. Hart, 36 lbs. 14 lbs,. Newbridge; 2nd, T. Ramsay, Newbridge. Eight bushels Cape barley, sample from 100 bushels.-1st prize, J. Passworth, Tarnagulla; 2nd, T. Ramsay, Newbridge. Bushel of peas, any sort.-1st prize, J. McDougall, Bridgewater. Bushel of rye.-1st prize, Thomas Ramsay, Newbridge. Two hundred pounds of flour, trade sample.-1st prize, G. M. Boower, Newbridge.
Extras.:-Anderson's washing machine, extra size, H. Pearson, Newbridge; three roller mangle, H. Pearson; wringer, H. Pearson; sewing-machine, H Pearson; wagonette, C. L. Stoneman, Sandhurst; turnover-seat buggy, G. F. Pickles and Son, Sandhurst; horse works, A. Summers, Newbridge; hand-barrow seed drill, T. Langden, Kangaroo Flat; subsoil plough, Luke Twigg, Newbridge; scarifier harrows, W. Campbell, Newbridge; seed drill, Mrs Hatt, Newbridge; washing-machine, Mrs. Hatt.
Class H.-Vegetables. Carrots (14 lbs.), F

Continued on Page 3