THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 152, 24 December 1903, Page 5

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

THE GOVERNMENT EXPERTS VIEWS. Somo extracts from tho annual report j of Mr. Hyde, the Poultry Export, aro especially Keaaonablo just now. It in generally conceded, ho writ**, that farmers as a clous arc hu-d to move out of a gioovo. It is In consequence difficult to get them to adopt modern and up-to-dato methods of poultry raising ; but v change in coming, although not no rapidly as ouo could desire/ Some of tho moro enterprising will go ahead, and others will follow as tho advantage* become bettor known, lue average, farmer has tho ndvantogo of a comparatively largo area of land, and can uso movable house* and Mhift hw fowls over tho cropped land; tho birds will pick up tho grain that has dropped in harvesting and will at the same time enrich tho land. Some of tho farmers who have been inductd to hatch chickens out at tho proper season of the year aud breed only from their best stock, culling out weedy rubbish and old hens, admit that tho advantages exceed their most sanguine, expectations. - Ik is gratifying 'to find that the- demand for space on tlio South African steamers is increasing. As the service /is of the utmost importance to tho poultry industry, Mr. ' tlydo trusts that ere long a sufficient quantity of egga will be forthcoming to justify arranging cool storage space for egga on the direct steamers to ' South Africa, as there is a splendid market thoro nt nny tiirto of tho year. Notwithstanding the rapid increase in tho number of birds prepared for export, the supply utill remains far short of the demand. Tho export increased from 38,785 in 1902 to 75,942 in 1903, and this does not include some thousands of birds that were shipped from hero without being graded. Several now firms have taken up the exporting business. Tho export trtulo han had a good effect as regards prices of poultry for local consumption, which at times have been more man doublo what they were previously, for though the prioa offered by the exporting firms has not been high, the demand was steady and easily absorbed all supplies. Had this not been the case the prices for local consumption would have been much lower and possibly unreinunerative to the grower. The farmer would do well to recognise the fact that in the export trade depends tho profitable sale of his birds. If ho caters for the local demand alone, tho quantity required would not absorb his surplus stock either of old hens or chickens. Tho graders report that the birds sent forward this year were in belter condition than the previous year, and there were fewer rejects in consequence. The graders, however, have at times to complain of tlio unsuitable crates used for sending poultry to tue depots, and also of overcrowding; instances having occurred where a number of birds were smothered during transit. It should be distinctly understood that tho Department of Agriculture does not purchase poultry for export. It is pleasing to report that (he buying and selling of poultry by weight is making steady progress. It is only a question of tamo when this system will bo generally adopted, as the advantages must bo apparent to all. Steps should bo takon to prevent tho solo of diseased poultry. Owing to the growth of tho industry and the demand for his services being moro thnn it is powiblo to fulfil, Mr. Hyde feels that tho time has now come to justify him Mkiug for «s»iAtwco»-