507 



ment or State in which it is decided to hold the Show will of course 

 undertake the organisation of local Committees and sub-Committees 

 for the raising of subscriptions providing necessary buildings and 

 all other arrangements in the same way as has hitherto been done. 



The standing Committee should, I think, decide on the order and 

 the date on which the shows should be held and supervise the pre- 

 paration and issue of prize lists. 



For the first time the determination of the place in which the 

 Show is to be held could probably be done by correspondence, but 

 at the first meeting, and at all subsequent meetings, arrangements 

 should be made for the ensuing year. 



Some alteration as regards the period during which past Shows 

 have been kept open is absolutely necessary. Two days is inade- 

 quate and as the expenses are very little more for four days than 

 two, I suggest four. This will allow of the judging being done in a 

 more satisfactory manner and afford opportunities for all classes of 

 the community to examine at greater leisure the articles that are 

 brought together. It would also afford time for the reading of pa- 

 pers, and discussions on subjects affecting agriculture somewhat 

 on the lines of the Agricultural Conferences in the West Indies, and 

 I think no better time could be chosen for this purpose. 



Exhibits might be classed under the following heads which would 

 practically cover the ground : — 



I : — Agriculture — Life Stock — Produce &c. 



II : — Horticulture — Fruits — Vegetables — Flowers. 



III : — Manufactures — Native and others. 



IV :— Works of Art— Pottery— Pictures &c. 



With a substantial Government Grant, supplemented by local 

 subscriptions and gate-money, there should be no difficulty in raising 

 funds and in getting together a good collection, of educational value. 



The cost of transport would in the majority of cases be paid by the 

 Committee, but this is not a serious item as the Steam-Ship Com- 

 panies and Railways will no doubt undertake the carriage of ex- 

 hibits at nominal rates. Trade exhibits such as machinery &c, 

 would of course be paid for by the exhibitor. Important points are 

 that the date of these shows should be fixed at least a year in ad- 

 vance, and prize lists issued at least nine months before the date 

 of the Show. It should also be well advertised and kept before the 

 public by means of the Bulletin and local papers. 



This is roughly an outline of the ideas I had in my mind when 

 writing the letter to which you refer. 



C. CURTIS. 



RAMIE, RHEA, CHINA GRASS. 



A short letter appeared over my signature in Bulletin Xo. 10 on 

 'this subject. My experience in the production of Ramie " ribbons 31 

 is well known to the members of the U. P. A. since with the aid of 

 H. F. the Governor, we exposed the wiles of a broker who w as 



