172 TiMEHRI. 
success of the Show, but the experience of the last two 
years entirely negatives such a supposition. True, when 
the rule was adopted in 1898, that no entries should be 
received on the day before the Show, a very large 
number was offered to be made on that very day ; but 
the rigid observance of the rule in every case, has led to 
this that in 1899, ^ ^^''y small proportion indeed was 
asked for, while the total number of earlier entries ex- 
ceeded that of last year by considerably more than half. 
It is soon recognised too by exhibitors, that rigid obser- 
ance of the rules in such cases leads to less confusion, 
and affords a better opportunity for the most satisfa6lory 
arrangement of their goods, the whole attention of 
the staff on the receiving day being devoted to that 
end. 
As in the more recent Shows, the artisan exhibits very 
largely preponderated, competition being keen not only 
in the artisan but also in the open se6lions. As in past 
years, the West Bank villages were well to the front, 
but it is pleasing to note that the East Coast this year 
made considerable advance, a result no doubt due to the 
efforts chiefly of the Golden Grove Exhibition Committee 
and the Vi6loria-Belfield Agricultural Society. For the 
first time, delegates from these associations were this 
year appointed to superintend the exhibits to and from 
the Show, and though this arrangement added somewhat 
to the cost, it considerably relieved the pressure of work 
on the general exhibition staff. The number of entries 
this year was far above anything hitherto seen at these 
Shows ; and it is gratifying to know that, as a whole, 
marked advance in the quality of the exhibits was also 
evident. Year by year, there has been an unfortunate 
falling-off in the exhibits from the estates and the 
wealthier classes, and this has tended to lessen the quality 
of articles shewn, but at the same time there has been a 
noticeable increase in the quality of the artisan products 
and in the method of exhibition, and as the Shows have 
been promoted chiefly for the encouragement of the 
peasant class, it is a welcome indication of the good 
that is being accomplished. 
A comparison of the number of entries for the various 
