POULTRY FROM A FARMER'S POINT

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 40

POULTRY FROM A FARMER'S POINT

OF VIEW.

TO THE BDITOB.

Sir, — I am glad to fi«rd tb*t a little interest . is now being taken in this subject. With regard to my remarks in a former letter, " Do nob breed from a cross," referred to by your correspondent R M*Meoking, I will further explain.' Suppose you mate any two varieties of pouKry of the large breeds, the produce ao a rule is larger than the parent stock ; but if you breed from such produce amongst themselves, their , produce will be smaller and weaker ; but if * you put a fi>*fc-cl»«s rooster of the original parent breed with seme of tbe best of the halfbred heiis,* you will get good ' tnree-^quarter-bred birds fit for the tabl«, but this will require careful mating, not indiscriminate running. ' ' ' ' As for the remarks about ", placing dry earth or ashes under the rborting perches and rafciug . 'the droppings away daily," this or any other method of cteatjluwts I, perfectly agree witb, and what I have already recommended should be an adjancb to this. — I am, &c., Sydney James.

Dunedin, November 8.

Poultry fob Export.— Mr Henderson, tho Government poultry experb, has been pushing poultry matters in the far north, and has bßert well received' in Auckland. The New ZtaUnd Herald devotes a leading article to Mr Henderson and his projects, from which we make tha" following extract:— "lt is worthy of being - borne in mind that the season* in England being the reverse of ouw, we can send away eggs and poultry in oar cheapest months to arrive in London in their dearest season there. One of the circumstances that lend an especial interest to the subject at this hour is that afe the freezing works iv this city the manager is already making provision for the cool storage of eggs, and the freezing of poultry, which of course will be worked in connection with, facilities for their transmission to England in the cool or refrigerating chambers of the steamers visiting the port ; so that those desirous of entering on the enterprise in 'a small as well as in an extensive way can confidently rely on their produce being carried to a remunerative market. In thesa circumstances the subject is one tbat should attract; the keenest interest from our small settlers and market gardeners and suburban residents and others who may have facilities on whatever scale for the growing of poultry. -The absence of a reliable market, the selection of unsuitable or unprofitable broods of fowls, and various other circumstanc«s have caused discouragement in the minds of some who have attempted fowl producing on a moderate soale. But the conditions have been entirely changed, and nob only can an absolutaly certain and remunerative demand and market be calculated on, but the. opportunities are bow to hand of obtaining exactly the breeds that are moat suitable for tbe purpose, and of tbe kind that meet the" taste of the English consumer,"