POULTRY FARMING.

Evening Star, Issue 11318, 13 August 1900, Page 3

POULTRY FARMING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—When I read Mr Shrimpton's letter I was disposed to think that soma thanks were due to him for kindly giving interesting information, and the only feeling I had was one regret that he had not furnished more details. My feelings when I read "J.J.G.'s" letter this evening were very different. Now ,what can he mean? Does he say poultrv farming is not profitable, or what? If a farmer buys a farm, does he not give his time and labor to it? Does he expect tho profit of a year to pay the purchase or the cost of the implements required? Surely not; he only expects a fair interest for his invested capital and a reward for his time.

_ Mr Shnmpton fairly points out that there is a good return for capital, but it is a pity he did not go further and give au idea what capital it took to earn the profit of £44 14s 7d for the year. It strikes me this profit would pay a fair interest on the purchase of sufficient land to stock 105 fowls on, and also on other incidental expenditure. Again, his profit of £44 14s 7d should be more, as by his own showing his stock is greater by some 50 birds, at, say, 3s eachequal to £7 10s extra profit. Again, the manure of poultry has a value. Some say that the sum derived from its sale feeds the birds, and 3s 6d per bird is a general estimate for the year's yield of manure. Mr Shrimpton is very weak m his account when showin" an accurate profit of £44 14s 7d, so concise and to the odd penny. Ho shows the most costly expenditure—viz., food—in the same account as costing "about £25." Surely he cannot show profits if he does not keep an account of expenditure ?

Nevertheless, his letter is in many waj s interesting. His ascertained average of"'eggs laid per hen is 145. The birds are principally Leghorn and Minorca, and these I iris are always considered good for 200 eggs per yc-er' But that is in theory. If he did n'>t cat ai,v himself, theory is overthrown by actual figure and fact. I wish someone would uivc. u.< his views, and for once and all solve the question Does poultry farming pay on a large scale, and what capital will suffice? Tho importance of the subject to the community generally, the interest taken therein, and the present many conflicting opinions existing, will, I trust, be some excuso for my trespassing.—l am, etc., Orpington. August 9.