OUR ISLAND STORY, 115

school fairs and farmers’ institutes, and the explanations and ini- structions given in connection with them, have proved, perhaps, the strongest inducements to the application of skill and care in the production alike of vegetables, grain and animals. Competitions among farmers and exhibitions of farm produce have been held in Prince Edward Island since 1820. In that year the first exhibition of Islandproducts was held at Crapaud. The-advertisement referring to it set forth that “The inhabitants of Crapaud and surrounding country are anxious to open a market with Ramshag” -——-now Wallace, NOva Scotia,—-—-—“to exchange sheep

for spinning wheels and chairs ;” and “young cattle of the best.

breeds from Cumberland, Nova Scotia, would meet with purchasers for cash or barter." Prize” money was not, however, supplied by the Government of the Island until the year 1825. In that year a prize of £2 was offered for the best carcase of ox beef shown in the Market House of Charlottetown, and one pound for the best carcase of cow beef. It was reported that the former weighed 658 lbs., and that the latter weighed 594 lbs. ; but Who the fortunate

winners of the prizes were was not stated.

In October, 1849, a competition for the best field of turnips I

was held under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society.

The judges reported that “Iames Peake, Esq., Charlottetoan

Royalty, was entitled to the first prize (£5) having grown twelve tons, seven hundredweight and two quarters on half an acre, which, reckoning the bushel, as is customary, at 56 lbs., will give, a return of 990 bushels per acre; and, the second prize. to William Swabey, ESq., ofMount Stewart, having grown eleven tons, ten hundred- weight, three quarters and seventeen pounds on half an acre, which, reckoned as above, gives a return of 924 bushels per acre." The names of the Other, the unsuccessful competitors, were, B. E.

Wright, Charlottetown Royalty, 904 bushels per acre; John Wil— V

liams, Charlottetown Royalty, 864 bushels; Judge Peters, Char- lottetown Royalty, 848 bushels; Richard Bagnall, Hazel Grove, 834 bushels, George Coles, Charlottetown Royalty, 826 bushels; Wm. Bagnall, Hazel Grove, 800 bushels;—-—Vance, Charlottetown Royalty, 776 bushels; A. Laird, New Glasgow, 800 bushels; George Lewis, Charlottetown Royalty, 740 bushels; George Beer, Char-