1 Dec., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 539 
of the association by encouraging competition among its members. Due regard 
ought to be given to our geographical position, and some encouragement should 
be offered for the production of plants especially suitable for this part of the 
world. Out of 145 prizes offered by the last schedule only about half-a-dozen 
were for tropical or semi-tropical productions. When one thinks of the vast 
possibilities of this district in crops such as cotton, ginger, rice, tapioca, spices, 
fibre plants, tanning plants, &c., it seems strange that the association does not 
offer any encouragement for their growth. The schedule should say clearly 
what form the exhibit should take so as to facilitate the work of the judges. 
In plain sewing, if the prize was offered for a gentleman’s shirt or other 
specified article, it would be easier to decide as to the best work than if the 
exhibits ranged from a doll’s dress to a bed-quilt; and for the same reason 
prizes offered for works of art ought to be for foliage, landscape, animal life, or 
portraits. In crops which require preparation for market, it ought to be made 
clear whether they are required in their raw or marketable condition. The 
schedule should be drawn up several months before the date of the show, 
which ought, as far as possible, to be fixed by the farmers. It should be well 
advertised, and a sufficient number of copies printed to allow the sending of 
several copies to each kindred society, and at least one copy to every likely 
exhibitor in the district. The secretary, on whom a great deal of the success 
of the show depends, should be careful to keep up the interest in the matter 
by inserting in each issue of the local newspaper a paragraph recording pro- 
gress, such as the number of entries received, special prizes donated, arrange- 
ments as to holidays, hours of opening, time and place of occurrence of special 
events, and the names of stewards and sections which they will control. This 
will cost nothing extra, as any newspaper with the interests of the district at 
heart will be very pleased to throw open its columns, and the few minutes spent 
by the secretary in jotting them down will be well repaid by the better attend- 
ance of the public. ; 
The suggested expansion of the schedule necessarily implies an increased 
expenditure, but this may be easily overcome if a vigorous canvass is made for 
special prizes Circulars ought to be sent out to all those interested in the 
treatment or purchase of produce for shipment, to the shipping companies in- 
terested in an increase of such products, and to the seed merchants and imple- 
ment manufacturers or importers with whom the producer deals, inviting them 
to contribute special prizes, and giving them the power to decide to what 
purpose their donations should be devoted. 
The appointment of judges and stewards is a matter requiring careful 
thought. ‘Two stewards, at least, should be appointed for each section. They 
should be fully instructed as to their duties, and their promise to act obtained, 
as any neglect on their part at the last minute may lead to serious confusion. 
The trend of opinion is now all in favour of the appointment of single and, if 
necessary, paid judges, as it is much better to rely on one responsible and duly 
qualified person than on a greater number of irresponsible persons lacking the 
necessary knowledge to give a proper decision. The association ought to be 
able to obtain the services of one or two of the Government experts to act as 
judges. If gentlemen like Messrs. Mahon and Benson were available, they 
could undertake the whole of the judging,* and the educational effects of the 
show would be greatly enhanced if they backed up their decisions by giving 
their reasons, which might be written out by the stewards as concisely as 
possible on a card to be attached to the exhibit. If invited to deliver a lecture 
at the conclusion of the show, they could then fully justify their decisions, and 
in this way impart a lot of useful information to future exhibitions. 
* * * * * * 
The exhibitor evidently requires advice as to choosing his exhibits. Both 
before and after the late show | could buy from exhibitors much better samples 
of vegetables than anything shown. It seems to be an accepted idea with 
* Scarcely. The gentlemen named would certainly object to judge, say, sewing, embroider 
upholstering, &c.—Ed. Q. A.J. of Sai, es Y» 
