SCOTT, THE RUNNER MAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7450, 26 May 1911, Page 2

SCOTT, THE RUNNER MAN

To mention Indian Runner ducks is necessarily to speak of Scott, tkc noted , breeder of Ontdinnga, who lias dono so | much to establish a fame for the Now Zealand Run nor throughout the British speaking poultry work!. Enthusiastic is a mild term to apply to Mr Scott’s work in developing the laying power of the duck. The work of advancing the o:rg type amounts to a pas-sion with him. HU methods arc worthy of the highest commendation, for they constitute the basis upon which alone any desired character in an animal can he main tain eel and improved. He first of all has realised the fundamental truth in breeding that a knowledge of the jx>wer of each individual animal is imperative- It #s doubtful if in this connection any other breeder'm the Dominion gives the frame attention to the performance of the individual bird in the breeding pen. The ; best pari ot the working day is devoted to this special feature of the OneJiunga breeder's operations, The work of Mr Scott in this regard suggests the great value the managers of duck-laying competitions could render tho Industry were they to provide (even if an extra charge had to be made to breeders talcing part) for the testing of each bird. The public testing of the individual duck would provide owners with 'a powerful lever in developing the type, and afford at the same time a big advertisement for the more successful.competitors. It would be truly educative, were a special prize awarded the best individual duck it would add further zest to tho competition, Mr Scott has not been t-o fortunate of late in public tests, and in this he has been distinctly unfortunate as he is undoubtedly breeding tho laying blood, as an inspection of his breeding pens would convince oven tho amateur. His Runners are built on. sound lines, conforming in all essentials to the most desired chr.raoters in the laying typo. To study his stock in their home pens would sxiggest that their failure to do better in the last Christchurch test was due to some special reason. May be tho change from tho fine climate in which they are reared, the environment being ideal, to the colder southern location has something to do ■with their failure to do themselves justice. Bo this as it may tho Onehunga ducks are of a typo which give one confidence in accepting Mr Scott's private records, By tho way, Mr Scott is a stickler for performance as against typo, but to tho keen student ©f laying form his record birds indicate in their conformation the possession of exceptional laying power and tho ability, given the desirable conditions, to put up great records. Buff Orpington ducks are also claiming Mr Scott's attention, and he is developing these on sound egg-producing lines. Tkie variety is rapidly gaining in popularity, for given tho egg-laying power, it furnishes a carcase which is at once saleable and profitable, whereas the city poulterer is coming to look askance at the Runner.