Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1855-08-04
COrrrspJ &c.
The AgricuIturaI SocietY.

article signed r. NJ commenting in no measured terms
upon the late Exhibition of the Agricultural Society
lho gh differ from your correspondent in of his
views, and think he has been unnecessarily in his
judgments, under the circumstances of the case yet
am glad to see the subject brought before the public;
many good ideas viii be elected by such discussion, by
which the Society may profit. If men qualified, as R.
NJ undoubtedly Is, to speak the subject, will not
tent themselves with condemnng the errors and short
comings of the Society. but will suggest practicable meth
DDS OF reform, and personally aid carrying out such
suggestions, then We may hope for impro ement
NJ however, errs greatly in ulging of this society
and Its powers. by COMPARISON with those of ngllnd
and the United States. There exists wide difference,
and due allowance should be made accordingly In those
countries, agricultural societies established and
tained by agricultural men, born and educated to Agri
culture and of practical knowledge and experience in the
different branches which the societies intended to
foster. Every member feels personal interest in the
association and or less capable Of lying of the
articles exhibited. But lie; r. NJ look the here
for aud he will that he Is unreasonable in
his expec atons and comparisons and that must be
content for years follow their footsteps quite
humble distance, though hope every year to get near
er to them. or the two hundred and sixteen members
who composed society in 1854 there are but stssa
who follow any Of the branches of Agriculture as
business, and probably not one third of these were
brought up to Agricultural pursuits. The others
Me chants, Government Officers, Mechanics, Clerks,
&c, sc some Of whom, it is true, interested, d-
recty indirectly, in the results of Agricultural enter
prSes, but who not, Glass; Of any practical
knowledge in Agricultural matters They have become
members from conviction that the prosperity of this
group depends upon the development Of its Agricuur-
III resources and they therefore ready TO encourage
in every way in their power association having such
development for its object Now, the greIt ority of
the members being Of the class above descrbei is it
reasonable to expect in the infancy of the Society, that
we should find among them judges for Exhibitions,
capable those Of similar institutions in England
and the IT, 3? Would it not be better, instel OF rail-
ing at what may be their errors, to make good
natured allowances therefor, and the TIM
deavor TO them, by suggestions TO the Society at
its meetings The Office Of judge ut the exhibition Is
neither desirable pleasant, no matter whit the de
scrp,ion Of articles that to come under their de;is
iOn and in view of the animldversOns which their
judgments expose them, the difficulty OF hudlng per-
sons willing to serve that capacity yey ncre ssiug
Can r. NJ name 10 the Society BOl:l OF Jul lges on
horses for the next exhibition, who shall be good
judges of horse flesh himself for instance, and who
sh be ne her exhibitors themselves, prejEtlcei IN
favor Of some exhibitor? Ii he cln, he viii confer
favor on the BOIrl OF Managers By suggesting them
their names, and as one of that board, think can
safy him that such list will be adopted II he
cannot do this trust he will reconsider his resolution
and 10 his part again in contributing TO the interest Of
the next exhibition. without foreknOwege of the
JUICES His suggestion that the judges be appointed and
made known before the Exhibition is perhaps goo one
and will doubtless receive the consideration ot the Board
of Managers agree in thinking with x. NJ that too
other stock. But the great number Of premiums award
ell to horses compared with other stock, simply be-
cause there was more competition. Valuable horses are
i'm ported and reared principally for Honolulu and OF
course be exhibited With much more facility than
other descriptions Of stock which must be sent ut
or less expense from distance The prize for working
oxen may have been awarded enormously, yet T. VI.
must remember that the Exhibitor was nttlye who
had taken pains send his oxen, when foreign members
who could d. ubess have shown better OneS did not
take the trouble do II is the policy of the society
10 encourage AMI stimuats native Exhibitors in every
possible way and they are l. s. strict with them ;hIn
with foreigners for evident For this reason the
award for the may be considered rs pIrdonab.e
" enormity. -
agree with B. NJ. that the last Exhibition was
dull farce, ami that if society is to aOuri>h and
accomplish the object for which it established We
must have reform. Bu: let the circumstances attending
the last Exhibition be borne in mind that due allowance
may be made for the failure, which was not owing 70
want Of interest in the society but 10 cIuSes which
another yeIr trust will remedy. The miJorty OF
the members, rs have shown not being agricultural
men, though they willing TO aid the society oy their
subscriptions, yet averse 70 tkng ~ active part ID
its proceedings Management They cannot wen spare
the time and have not the nece Ty PRACTICAL knowletge
They therefore have generally thrown the burden the
Board of Managers The Bolrd Of MInlgers, absorbed
in their own alfIrs have leaned too much late
worthy President who always ready to assume more
than his share Of the work. and WAS very e'ent IN re-
minding Committees Of their duties and drumming up
exhibitors But before the last annual meeting, Judge
Lee had departed for the United States Unfortunately
no pecial provision had been made in the Constitution
for supplying his place and as what is everybody bu
siness Is nob0dys the matter left to take care oil
itself till too late to ensure good Exhibition Another
reason for the paucity Of articles was that the Steamers
we're all laid up, and members on other Islands had no
good means of sending articles Of coming themselves
Our worthy Vice President for Oahu did ali in his power
to aid the Society when at Lite period he IS requested
by the Board Of Managers preside on the oe; Ison
but the causes above lme operated to produce the M
ure 1t should not therefore be attributed TO AsX Of
interest among the members and though the zeal Of
some may have grown cold, let hope viii De re-
kinded and that Society whose objects are 50 praise