ACCLIMATIZATION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 827, 16 February 1867, Page 3

ACCLIMATIZATION.

Sib,— -From, the universal disposition shown Vby nearly all residents in this province to i aid the efforts made to establish a Society of Acclimatization, it is evident that, apart ; from being fully alive to their own interests, they are devoid.of the prejudice which some time ago existed in' the adjoining colonies against similar undertakings,, on the score that they were destined for many years to be for the gratification only of the wealthier class abiding in towns, whilst, perhaps, at some remote period, the country at large would benefit. However, from the greater knowledge and facilities now available for the proseoution of this enterprise, the good resulting from its operations will more speedily manifest itself than in days gone by elsewhere. How much already New Zealand owes to the introduction of plants, animals, and birds, is apparent to the. most careless observer, requiring nb comments. Yfet, still, a vast; number of desirable (almost indispensable) acquisitions are to be made. Some of the plans recently adopted for the transmission of birds' eggs (with their vitality unimpaired) , for very considerable distances— so that they can be hatched by an artificial incubator — deserve notice. In order that the safest mode may be ascertained beyond a doubt, I shall briefly describe one at present which may suit some requirements—leaving to abler pens the others. . ."'•''■• According to the time needed to arrive at their destination, one of the two undermentioned way! may be adopted. If for a short period, the simple packing the eggs, with the end having the air chamber uppermost, in wooden trays full of powdered calcined pumice stone, will be amply sufficient. If the box containing all is properly filled with this pumice stone dust, no danger can occur to its enclosures. If for a long voyage, each egg to be taken and treated as follows : — Suitable ! damped filtering paper, being cut in pieces to form a covering, with overlapping edges, dissolved gelatine is applied with a camel's hair brush to cause the joinings to adhere to each other. On the wools drying, a slight varnish of gelatine is laid lightly over the paper, thus excluding the external air. Gn completion, to be packed as in the first mentioned method. With the eggs of very small subjects, many trials are easy by employing the mail steamers for their transmission. Of course on the eggs being hatched the birds must be hand-fed for the necessary time. However, if this manner of operating be found successful with that which has voyaged from Britain, the trouble and anxiety will never , surely be thought of. For the preservation of imported species of birds, legislation is imperative, also for the destruction of vermin, hawks chiefly. I know of no better course to effect this object than that employed now by several here, viz., the poisoning, of eggs with strychnine. These birds having an immense partiality for eggs, ahd strychnine being a subtle poison, diffusing most rapidly through animal substances, this mode is effectual. With best wishes for the prosperity of the Hawke's Bay Acclimatisation Society, I am, &c, A Friend of Progress.