POULFRY NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 15

POULFRY NOTES

COMING FIELD DAY

WALLACEVILLE PLANT

Situated quite close to the Wallaceville railway station on the way to Upper Hutt is the Department of Agriculture's experimental poultry farm. The sheds are situated behind the laboratories, and the plant is open to inspection almost at any time during working hours. Built over ten years age, the plant is still up to date, 'and accommodation is provided for about 1000 layer?. Special laying sheds, single, pens, breeding pens, and rearing sheds are provided, and the stock consists mainly of White Leghorns with a few Langshans of recent importation from New South Wales.

The plant is used for experimental purposes, and it is most essential that the poultry instructors of the Department of Agriculture have the oppbrtunity to experiment on a plant where results can be relied upon. Some valuable work has been done in the past, and full reports are issued in the Journal of Agriculture issued by the Department. Wallaceville White Leghorns have long been recognised as large-bodied birds of excellent breed-ing-value, and stock is available at very reasonable rates. The management is under the direct supervision of the chief, poultry instructor (Mr. C. Cussen), and a capable field staff is employed. Those who are interested and who have the opportunity should not fail to make periodical visits to this farm, and suitable visiting hours can be ascertained by telephoning the chief poultry instructor at the livestock division. One of the features of the plant is the natural bush which surrounds the farm, and which makes an ideal rearing ground for stud cockerels. Needless to say, full use is made of this range, small cabins being used for the purpose which can .be moved to fresh sites periodically. The fact that the farm is situated right next to the laboratories makes possible complete co-operation between technical | and field workers. Wallaceville is the most modern of several Government poultry experimental farms, established but closed down in the past. SUCCESS ENSURED. Organised field days are not infrequently held at Wallaceville, but those organised by the Hutt Valley branch of the New Zealand Poultry Producers' Federation can be relied upon to be a success. On Thursday, February 4, the farm and laboratory will be thrown open to the public, and about 300 visitors are expected. .If this .gathering is as successful as the one held last year, those who miss it will indeed be regretful. Invitations have Ibeen sent to all Wellington district branches, and. it is safe to say that I many poultrymen from distant farms will take this opportunity of renewI ing contacts with others. The invitation states that speeches will be kept to a minimum, and while addresses from specialists are always welcomed, it is not so much the knowledge imparted in this manner that is appreciated, but rather the gathering together and exchanging of views that takes place. Visitors are asked to bring their own eatables, but tea, etc., will be provided free. President Mumby and secretary Severn make a strong combination, and the executive of the Hutt Valley branch are to be commended for their energy in organising such outings. Perhaps no other farming pursuit requires such constant attention as does poultryfarming on an extensive scale. Welltrained labour assistance is difficult to procure, and many poultrymen do most if not all of the routine work, so that holidays are few and far between. Yet it is appreciated that better work is accomplished when sufficient holidays are taken, and if only all poultry workers would realise this and take I such opportunities as are offering in attending field days, they would soon realise the benefits which result. Any readers who have not received a formal invitation will find a warm welcome if, they can attend this coming field day.