SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1897. A FOWL APPOINTMENT.

Hastings Standard, Issue 323, 15 May 1897, Page 2

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1897. A FOWL APPOINTMENT.

The Government have appointed a Mr Henderson, of the Railway Department, to instruct the settlers in the art of poultry-raising for profit. We believe Mr Henderson is qualified for the position in so far as it relates to the chicken-rearing question, but there is a good deal more required than this. We hope no one will contend that there is not a sufficiency of poultry of a kind to meet the demands of the people of the colony; while this is true enough there is at the same time an absence of scientific poultry farming. At certain seasons table poultry are plentiful and cheap, and at other times it is only possible to get patriarchal birds, such as appear to have undergone a more severe course of training than is required by a " rep." footballer. In the matter of eggs, too, there are times when they are "dirt cheap." The hens in New Zealand have a nasty habit, for they Lay like smoke when eggs are cheap And shut up shop when dear. These birds require coaxing into laying all the year round. Of course it is not to be expected that any hen will be so demoralised as to do this. Perpetual motion is an impossibility even with the feathered pets, but with care and attention it is possible to so arrange matters that a relay of pullets will be available for the egg producing operation. It is the business of the gentleman who has received the appointment to teach the poultry farmers how to regulate and control their fowlyards in order to ensure a continuity of fresh eggs and fat chickens. In this respect Mr Henderson will have plenty to do, and we understand thUt he is chockful of information and is capable of imparting it. When the matter of poultry raising is seriously taken in hand by our settlers and farmers there will in a very short time be more than enough of eggs and fowls to satisfy the requirements of the colony, and prices must necassarily fall. Then the question will arise how to turn to profit the surplus poultry. The export trade is the only solution. At certain periods England can absorb as much as we can afford to send, and if the article is good Mr John Bull does not mind the price. No doubt Mr Henderson has in mind the export of poultry and will work with that end in view. His appointment should be the means of putting a few extra pounds per annum into the pockets of the small settlers.