USEFUL HINTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 28

USEFUL HINTS.

Voting feathered stock of every description should now be beginning to “ shape,’ as fanciers say.

In the Mediterranean breeds and others that mature quickly many are already fit for t he show-pen. The present is a good time to buy for stock.

Many breeders are willing to sell their adult birds now if they have a number of good youngsters to replace them. If purchasing with the idea of brooding exhibition specimens, it is better to trust to advice given by the vendor of tho stock than to judge only by appearances. Birds selected at random may form an attractive lot when placed together, but may be almost useless to breed from. It is possible that by picking up a good bird here and a good one there you may obtain a pen that will breed winners, but it is not probable. If you want to buy a bird for exhibition, wait until the early shows come round. Every fairly good bird is looked upon as a wonder until it gets into tho show-

pen. A fancier sometimes sells “ the best bird lie ever bted” at a good figure, but the buyer lots to compete against till coiners, a very different mailer. Most fanciers stiive to breed tlioir own prize winners, and rigidly so. Sometimes a bad season or a virulent disease necessitates the purchase of birds to keep up tho reputation of tho yard. Mismarked birds of good strains or specimens deficient in show points can be readily obtained now. It early batched, and from good laying strains, they should pay their way as winter comes on.

Breeders aro culling their stocks more heavily than usual this year. There aro two reasons for this, tho high prico of grain and tho prospect of keen competition at the shows. Those desirous of starting with a good stock at a fair price should take advantage of this opportunity. The indiscriminate purchase of pure-bred fowls at rooms is a mistake. It is much better to select from a wellestablished yard, the owner of which has made a study of the breeds he keeps. —A>'3tralasian.