538 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Dec., 1901. 
THE IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. 
That there is considerable room for a change in the methods of conducting 
some agricultural shows is a statement that few will dispute. The trouble is 
that so many persons are directly interested in them that it becomes a case of 
“quot homines, tot. sententi@,” or “many men, many minds.” It would indeed be 
a wonder if every member of a show committee could be of one mind, or 
succeed in pleasing the whole of the exhibitors and the public. Show 
committees have very arduous duties thrust upon them, and the public are very 
apt to blame them for anything which in their—the public’s—opinion goes 
wrong, when the committee have been doing their best to emulate the old man 
and his ass. 
We are led to this remark in consequence of an essay which was written 
by Mr. George Turner, secretary of the Bowen Pastoral, Agricultural, and 
Mining Association, for which he was awarded a prize. The essay deals with 
the improvement of the Bowen Agricultural Show, but much of what Mr. 
Turner says will apply with equal force to some other country shows. For 
instance, some associations have a title which includes industries with which the 
district has absolutely no connection, as in the case of the Bowen association. 
* % % * % 
The name of the society—-Bowen Pastoral, Agricultural, and Mining 
Association—might with advantage be altered by substituting for “ Mining” 
the word ‘“ Industrial,” as for some years back neither the schedule nor the show 
has had the remotest connection with mining, while at least one-third of the 
exhibits may fairly be described as industrial, especially if that word be taken 
as including art and educational exhibits, in the same way that agricultural 
includes horticultural exhibits. This alteration would also justify the active 
interest taken in the association by townspeople who are not immediately 
connected with agricultural or pastoral pursuits. That the townsman’s assist- 
ance is necessary to the success of the show may be taken for granted, not, as 
has sometimes been said, for the reason that the farmer is too slow to run a 
show, but that, owing to their living long distances apart, their long hours of 
work, bad roads, dark nights, and other inconveniences, it is very difficult for 
em to attend meetings often enough to make proper arrangements for a 
show. 
The objects of the association should be to diffuse useful information on 
all subjects of interest to its members; to improve the quality and increase the 
quantity of the produce of the district; and to assist in the proper harvesting, 
preparing for export, shipping, and finding profitable markets for such produce. 
Jt should assist in the introduction and experimental trials of seeds or plants 
suitable for the district, exercising due care as to the purity and vitality of all 
seeds imported, as well as the strength and suitability of manures and 
fertilisers. It should deal with the rotation ef crops, with a view to prevent 
exhaustion of the soil, or its restoration when exhausted; and should arrange 
for the analysis of soil, water, fertilisers, or by-products. It should interest 
itself in the best breeds of cattle for beef production or dairy purposes; the 
best horses for export or general farm work; and pigs, sheep, poultry, and 
dogs should all receive their due share of attention. It should be able to advise 
members as to the best kinds of fruit to grow, how to keep their orchards 
clean, pick, pack, cure, or preserve their aie and market it to the best 
advantage. it should forward a monthly report to the Department of Agricul- 
ture for publication in its Jowrnal, showing the amount and kind of produce 
likely to be available during the following month, prices current, and any other 
information likely to attract customers, and should distribute amongst its 
members the like information gathered from other districts. If funds and 
premises were available, it should also have a museum where local and other 
specimens of produce could be inspected. 
The prize schedule should be carfully drawn up by sub-committees 
appointed for each section, their aim being to advance the abovenamed objects 
