THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1019, 7 January 1911, Page 10

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

S, (By Chantecler.)

EGG-LAYING COMPETITION.

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) ' _ ' Christchurch, January 6. ■There has been an excellent week's laying,'l4l6 being ' tho highest • for the week. Tlio highest, individual totals are:— Kennedy, 39; Tiscli, 36; Hopkins, 36; Bradford, 35; Sail, 34; Steelo, 34. Tho highest aggregate to date are:— Knight, 1125; Sail, 1120; Smith, 1107; Baleh, 1104; Hawke, 1105: completo total, 50,908. Tho individual totals in tho duck class for the week are:—Strong, 35; Knight, 33; Sedden, 33, To date the aggregates are:—Knight, 896, 862; Hammond, 851; Strong, 803.

, GENERAL JOTTINGS.

"CARE OF YOUNG STOCK." ■ To obtain eggs in, winter the poultryman must. give. his growing stock most careful attention; Many producers aro prone- to neglect tho chickens onco they leave tho brooders. They aro irregular in feeding,. housing the . chickens in largo numbers with tho result that growth is. chfecked and, onco this is done, a. chicken will never recover its constitution.' A growing pullet is one of the most sensitive specimens of farm stock.' An arrest in growth, a set-back in development, is more noticeablo than it is with a calf or a lamb, while tlio -result'in loss,is greater. In the ovaries <)i achicken. continual development is .'required for a . good layer. Onco that growth "is retarded, it can never bo regained.,,. The bird will lay spasmodically ' and,-.for record purposes;'': is ruined. A .false; moult has the)'same tendency. Young stock- iiced to bb continually pushed forward. Tho best.of feed, clean quarters, 'plenty of. shadb from tlio sun, and fresh water will bring them to maand givo eggs when at tho highest prices.

/War on Parasite. It is scarcely credible tliat liundrcds of birds aro .literally eaten with parasites. Often, wheii found dead in tho ■neat or under tho perch, this is the cause. Recently a man brought mo a specimen of a chicken, whoso death .had puzzled him, and until I had examined it and held a post mortem, it puzzled "me. The cause, however, soon became apparent when not a single drop of blood was to bo found in its body. Houses should be constantly sprayed 1 through tlio summer. A drop in tho egg-yield will soon result if war is not waged against tho parasites. A good sprayer and a disinfectant will work .wonders. The birds and nests should bo dusted with insect powder if tho vermin aro present, in largo numbers. '

GRADING.

PULLETS, HENS, DUCKS. (By T. H. Rutherford.) As an export trade in eggs from,this country is "a : matter that many have ; in their minds, it /would be as .well if a little moro attention wero devoted ,to ' tho grading ! of eggs. By grading,' weight is iiot advocated so much as . selection for uniform size. A trayfui of eggs, largo and small, of various colours, hens' and ducks' all mixed up, is not likely to bo the best way of obtaining top prices either in our Dominion.' or in London. I would ■ suggest that poultrymcn, . when crating • their fowls' eggs should always havo two trays side by side—' one in. which to put all tho small eggs," and tho other to pack tho larger ones, ,and ,separate trays and boxes for.duck 'eggs.- The "small eggs,' probably, would fetch a littlo less, but tho largo ones should brinn; more, and tho ducks' eggs a- higher prico.still, whorever they wero marketed. As tlio duck lays, on the average, the largest egg of any, it is only justice that wo should get moro for them, especially as there is moro work attached to getting thoso eggs into a nice, clean, and attractive appearance. It is recognised that pullets lay most eggs ill their first season. That being so, and knowing also that second hens generally lay larger eggs, it should furnish tho more reason for poultrymen doing their utmost io bring about tlie grading of eggs, and then, even if tho ■second season hens lay best, their extra sizo may bo compensated for in tlie extra price. Grading for size for the export trade is important. Though there are not quite so msjiiy countries now supplying England with eggs as formerly, , still there are . quite enough'to put us on 'our mettle; and it behoves us to do. our best'. Judging by the returns quoted for'eggs at Home, thoro is room for a good deal of speculation as to the reason for the enormous difference in the prices realised. For instance, at timo of writing, Russian eggs are quoted at 7s. 6d. to 10s. 3d. per 120; Danish up to 20s. 6d. Doubtless, wo arc indebted to tho Poultry Conference for raising these quotations, the poultry and egg returns being one of tlie it-ems placed before tho Minister. Is it that tho Danish eggs are. so much cleaner, larger, fresher, than others? Whatever tlie reasons may bo the systematic, well organised Dane, comes out on top with his eggs just as ho does with his butter. - Now it, is, evident that, if we wish to obtain tho foremost rank with Now Zealand eggs we shall have to uso every, precaution to send none but tho' best;'make every effort to consign regu-' lar supplies,, and if possible (for tho reputation of this Dominion) I would even suggest that no eggs are exported except thoso that are passed by tho N.Z.P.A., or any of its circle agents, or tho Government, if they should see fit to reappoint egg-graders for this purpose. This may, at first, be considered rather arbitrary, . and somewhat of an interference with private enter■prise. Ldo not think so,'however, for anyono, who is endeavouring to • send' only tho best Would surely not object to a formal official test. In' fact, it ought.rather to act as a further incontivo, as tho exporter would have the benefit of a recognised brand on his crates. Individual egg-shippers have not much hope of any concessions on freight, but a powerful body, such as the N.Z.P.A. no doubt will ho before long, would be much moro likoly to have somo considerable influence.

, One of tlio objects of the. egg circles is to aim at a uniform • price, and wo must meet tlio public as far as we can by grading the eggs, say. 12 average size,-13oz. each, to the dozen, 13 to ]G small ones, and R to 11 lamest size. At first there would bo difficultiesall reforms meet with morn or less onposition. Arguments would arise as to what 1 constituted tho various grades. This, however. should not. bo insurmountable, and could be uofc over by a conference consisting of delegates from egg circles, representations of .Chambers of Commerce, managers of grocery departments, confectioners. and .others to discuss tlio matter. ' Tlieso representatives could do worse than attend the annual-poultry, conference., . ,

THE N.Z; UTILITY POULTRY CLUB. A RETROSPECT. (By a Member.) In January, 1904, a few enthusiastic poultrymen in Christchurch, including the present president. and secretary, moved in the direction of starting an egg-laying competition. However, owing to tho lato period of tho season, it was thought advisable to leave tho question over as everything could bo put in order to start a competition the following year. In December, 1904, a meeting of breeders was called, and it was . resolved to form a New Zealand Utility Poultry Club. Rules were drawn up, aud chief amongst the objects was the holding of egg-laying competitions with tho idea of improving the laying qualities of. fowls.. Thanks to- the Board of Governors and director of Lincoln- College tho club was enabled to commence its first, competition on May I', 19051 ...Thirty-eight pens took part, and - tlio, averago yield was 132 eggs, valued at lis. lid. per bird, or a net profit, after paying ss. '.113 d. cost of feed, of ss. lUd. per bird. In 1906, 1907, 1908, and 1909 competitions were also held at Lincoln College under tlio supervision- of the-director. Little interest was shown by. tho club in the 1906 competition, partly owing to Lincoln being somo fourteen miles from Christchurch. Members recognised that if the competitions, wero to continue it would be necessary to get men on the Management Committee who would put enthusiasm into their work. That they succeeded was proved by tho birds returning (after paying cost of food) 7s. sd. in 1907, 10s. Bd. in 1908, and 10s. 4d. in .1909. The maintenance of , the five competitions lias totalled £2100,; which has been,met, by £1106 10s. 4d. sale of eggs,. £200 in , donations from , the general •public. .£l5O grant from the New Zealand Government.and tho, balance by members' ■ subscriptions, competitors' feos, etc.. '. ;Nearly'£.soo was expended in buildings', over £400 in wages .to caretakers, some £500 for feed for competition birds, besides prize-money and sundry other items. The club, recognising that more, interest. would be taken in tho competitions if they were held nearer Christchuroh, and also that the Committee of Management could attend more frequently, secured, after much inspection of properties, a suitable place for future rcnuirements. Tho change of location has cost the club at least £200, but I think- I may fairly say tb*t owing to good management and tho improvement in the laying breeds of poultry tho buildings oil tho new property are free of debt,, and at the. end of tlio sixth comnetition tho Utility Poultry Club will bo in a strong financial position. : t _ Very, few, have any idea of the. work, especially, the. detail portion, connected with running .a. competition successfully. Tho members of the Management -Committee visit the competition, frequently, and they meet • twico a month to discuss matters in the interest of the club, for which they onlv get the members' sincere thanks, and the secretary has. received for the five competitions bonuses totalling £50. Several membe'rs of tho Management Committee have got into, the prizC:money with their fowls,'-liiit not ono lias"gained tho coveted honour —first.

At tho eleventh hour the club was asked to run a duck-laying competition this last year, and, although' the Management Committee had much work to do to got their pons in order for tlio fowls on tho new property, it acceded to the wish of breeders, aud tho club proposes to givo tho ducks moro consideration in future competitions. On behalf of tho.poultry industry tho club recently decided to test the Homo market with a- shipment of eggs,' and I am pleased to say somo members of the club have also joined in trial shipments.:

Tho Utility Club, was 'successful in getting.the Christcliurch Fanciers' Club to insert .classes for utility/fowls at. its last show. A standard of excelleiico was drawn up after conferring ,with tho Government, and that • standard. will now be used.at all-shows in tho South Island where clubs cat-er, for utility fowls, as tho South Island Poultry Association adopted the standard at tho annual meeting held in Christcliurch recently. As evidence of tho great strides that aro being mado in tho poultry. industry,. I should like to point out that tho owners of tho thirty-eight pens in tho Utility Poultry Club's first competition owned approximately 1500 head of poultry, and tho application forms of the present competitors show that forty. members .possess 15,000 fowls. Most breeders will admit that tho present Management Committee is meeting with phenomenal success in. tho fowl competition. - Although improved strains—tho result of-careful selection in breeding—is-largely responsible for the increased yield, of eggs;-tho style of house, and runs, and -close supervision by members of tho monthly visiting committco, have-materially assisted.

SEVENTH COMPETITION.

I have to acknowledge tho receipt of an advanced copy of tho Utility Club's, prizo schedule for its seventh .competition for fowls and second for ducks. The competition will , extend over a period of twelve months, and pure-bred birds between the age of five and twelve, months will be allowed to compete. The total prize-money allotted amounts to £83. In the fowl competition £10 is given to tho pen laying tho greatest number of eggs, £7 second, £4 third, £2 fourth, £1 fifth, and 10s. sixth; £2, £1, and 10s. to the winter test (most eggs April 1 to July 31); £1 10s., £1, and 10s'. to. the autumn., test (January 1 to March '31, 1012}; 155., and 10s. to first and second respectively in each month; £10, £4, and £2 to tlio Studholmc test (points awarded -as table specimens, show specimens, and weight of eggs). The clnb also offers a £5 cup ■to tlio competitor scoring most points iu tlio next two Studholmo tests, and it. has been decided to award a gold medal to tho pen laying tho greatest .weight of eggs in tho competition. Tho •prizes for tlio duck competition havo •been increased to £7 first, £4 second, £2 third, and £1 fourth. A gold medal has been allotted to the pen of ducks laying tho most eggs during winter months, and tho secretary has donated a gold medal to bo awarded to tho pen llaying the best sample of eggs during tho competition. _ Tlio rules and regulations are practically tho same as in the present competitions, tlio most important alteration being the ago at which birds will be accepted, fivo to twelve months. The Management Committco has decided not to allot certificates to fowls or ducks unless the pen lays 1250 eggs in tho twelve months. Entries close on February IS, and tlio pons will bo balloted for on February 21.

A BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTH.

It is anything but pleasant to awalco with n bad taste in the mouth. This always arises from u disordered stomach, and may be corrected by taking a dose of Chamberlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets immediately after supper. They cleanse ami invigorato the stomach,.improve the digestion and give one a reliali for his food. They iro, easy to tako and pleasiuit in effect. 13

"WHAT IRELAND WANTS."

4 STATEMENT BY MR. REDMOND. THE HOME RULE DEMAND. 11l n lengthy article wliicli ho contributes to the December issue of "Nash's Magazine," Mr. John Redmond makes a statement of Ireland's demand for. Homo Rule.

Sinco tho late Mr. Isaac Butt first used tho words "Homo Rulo" as a definition of the Irish national demand over thirty years ago, says tlio writer, on tho platform and in tho Press, as well as on tho floor of the House of Commons, able men have been engaged incessantly in the task of explaining to tho world "what Ireland wants." „ "What Ireland wants," continues Mr. Redmond, "is really so reasonable, so moderate, so. commonplace, in view of the experience of tho nations, and especially of the British Empire, that, once ic is understood, all the fears and arguments of honest opponents must vanish into thin air. , _ hat Ireland wants is the restoration of responsible government, neither niore nor less. Tho Irish- demand is, ill plain and popular language, that the S i oV M r ? meut of everjr Purely Irish affair shall bo controlled by the public opinion of Ireland, and by that alone. We do not seek any alteration of tho Constitution or supremacy of tho Imporial Parliament. We ask merely to bo permitted to take our place in the ranks of those other 'portions of tho British Empire—:some twenty-eight in number— which, in their own purely local affairs, are governed by free representative institutions of their own." The Fight for Home Rulo. Mr. Redmond proceeds to tell the story of Ireland's fight for her Parliament, and then traces the fight for Home Rulo since 1873, when Isaao Butt proposed a. Federal Union. Having described the character of the Home Rulo asked for by Mr. Isaac Butt, the writer adds: .. It will thus be observed that O'Conliell's demand for a simple Repeal of the' Union, which meant the revival'ofthe .'Sovereign Co-<irdinato Parliament of, Grattan, was given up in favour of the creation of a statutory subordinate Parliament, leaving the supremacy of the present Imperial Parliament untouched, such subordinate Parliament to be invested with strictly limited powers over purely Irish local affairs, as in tho case of tho numerous local parliaments which already exist within the British Empire. In 1886 Parncll, speaking for Ireland, explicitly acccptcd the offer of a subordinate Parliament. Gladstone's Efforts. "Mr. Gladstone's proposal in 1886 was to establish a subordinate Irish Parliar mont and an Irish Executive for the management and control of Irish affairs, reserving to the Imperial Parliament certain subjects relating to the Crown. Tho' chief difference between Mr. Gladstone's second Bill in 1893 and his first one was that ho proposed to, retain .Irish 'members at Westminster. "On this point," says Mr. Redmond, "Ireland is willing to accept whichever alternative England prefers." Mr: Redmond recalls that Mr. Parnoil was'willing to accept tho Bill, and, indeed, referred to it as a final settlement of the question. "The position iu Ireland lias ribt' changed since then," says Mr. Redmond. - ■ . 'V 7 ."What We Want." " Tlio article, concludes with a. sum-, mary of "What: Ireland Wants" :— - "Wo want an-Irish Parliament, with an executive responsible to it,-created by Act •of tho Imperial Parliament, and charged with tho management of purely Irish affairs- (land, education, local- government, labour, industries, taxation for local purposes, law and justice, police, etc.), leaving to-tho Imperial Parliament, in which Ireland would probably continue to bo' represented, but in smaller numbers, the management just, as at present of all Imperial. affairs—army, navy, ' foreign relations,- Customs, Imperial taxation, matters pertaining to tho Crown, the Colonies, and all those other questions which aro .. .Imperial and not local in their nature, the Imperial Parliament also retaining an: over-riding • supremo authority oyer the • new Irish Legislature,. such. as it_ possesses to-day over the . various Legislatures in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and other portions of the Empire. , "This is 'what Ireland wants.' When she has. obtained it, a new era of prosperity and contentment will arise. As happened when Lord Durham's policy was carried out in Canada,'men of different races and creeds will join hands to promoto tho well-being of their common country.",.