THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XL, Issue 5804, 8 May 1912, Page 6

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Amongst the various evolutionary phases o* the poultry industry one can scarcely fail to notice what a change has'taken place in the writings of various scribes who cater for the reading poultry public. At one time, and for many years, we could rarely fail to liml, on perusing a column devoted to the subject, much repetition of principally inert amateur matter, such as informing the reader to always put clean water and grit in front of the birds, to place clean straw in the nests, and to cater for a private trade. Certainly, the above is not without Value, especially the water and grit items, but as regards straw in nests, this is unnecessary and unsfl-t. isfactory labor. 'Straw is best on the ground for scratching m a terial and river sand in the nests. As for the private trade, the value of cooperation is being last recognised as the most economical method of disposing of the eggs, the private trade being best left in the hands of the retailers, and if the retailers make it their business, to obtain their supplies from the circles they are going to satisfy their customers to such an extent that the 'demand for -eggs must very materially increase. Sooner or later, co-opera-tion amongst poultrymen will be much more general than at present, and the topsy-turvey, up and down ruling of prices will -be wiped out, and we shall look back upon such puerile methods with derision. Many yet fail toi see the value of co-op-i oration, but when they recognise that co-operation means eventually large exports of eggs, just as cooperation means large exports of I butter and cheese, they must admit the superiority of combination over individualism.

The history of co-operation, which is about one hundreed years old, tells us that, like all reforms, it has had its ups and downs, but is also shows that co-operators arc increasing in numbers, and that they are, on the whole, a very well satisfied class of people. We ihul many who wish to see an improvement in marketing but are afraid to venture themselves, but are ready to fall into line when proved a success. Mr CJ, J. Uolyoake, a great co-operator ami writer, describes this class of persons as "rabbit-minded" reformers, who run at the first sound or dan-g-er, apparent or otherwise.

A co-operative feature recently innovated in tlie Wairarapa district was the erection of gallows for horse slaughtering, by three local poultry men, which will a great amount of heavy work. Visitors (says "Utilitarion" in the Age), have expressed their surprise at\hc attractiveness of this food for fowls; indeed, a horse in good condition could easily be mistaken for beef when dressed and quartered.

So much is this commodity valued by some poultrymen that,> so it is stated, Mr Mumby, the winner of the recent competitions, makes a

practice of slaughtering one every Saturday, the animals beino brought to him from Wellington to his farm near the llutt.