FIFTH ANNUAL TRIP. NEW PLYMOUTH—(Continued.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 53

FIFTH ANNUAL TRIP. NEW PLYMOUTH— (Continued.)

Bx Tebrob. 111. Captain Hood (harbourmaster) is one of the best-known fanciers of the North Island, and is re-cognised to be not only an enthusiastic breeder of long standing, but a successful showman. From what I could gather, Captain Hood took the '"fever" badly from the start, and uniformly maintains the. "catching tompe.rahire." No end of fanciers within his sphere of influence — a large oneowe their interest in the fancy to his example and encouragement. Captain Hood's birds Pie well selected, properly cared for, and in-. a il'ablyi 1 'ably shown as by a master, and, consequently, seldom fail to attract the eye of the judge with success. In other words, this fancier fai ours birds adapted to his surroundings ; imports from the best Old World breeders to maintain quality and stamina; houses and feeds according to most favoured formulas, and mates and rears with skill and judgment. His results are first-class laying characteristics, with grand weights and show requirements.

I saw in this fancier's yards golden, white, silver, and buff Wyandottes, and Langshans of conspicuous morit. From one of the golden, a second-year cock. I drew a breast feather, which I have since shown at all stagea of my trip and in Dunedin as a sample of sound breast feathering, and invariably it ha« evoked admiration by all capable of judging. Captain Hood's goldcns are of Spencea-'s (England) breed : hi*, whites are from Byfield, of Tasmania ; silvers ar© bred from hens from Mr Alf. Walker's I Christchurch strain, by a cock bird from !Mr Wybrow, of Auckland. His Langshans are of Pricstly's (Auckland) strain, combined ! with Tasmaman blood. A golden cock won I the Wyandotte championship for the North I Island, and has a leg in for the best bird at Auckland; also, a £10 lQs trophy for bsot bird in Asiatic class competing in big- | class under Maude. All told, thi& fancier look aboirt 50 prizes last year, every bird shown taking a card. The golden cock above refeired to as the champion, I found heavy in the moult ; but tho new feathers "were coming away sound, strong, and bright. He ' has splp^ndid colour throughout, glorious ha-c!kle, distinct wing bars, and sound black fringe to feathers. As to size, ahape, and weight, he is a typical Wyandotte-. Some Langshan pullets I saw are' really fine, possessing good eyes, tight feathers, proper green i=hee-n, and nice feet. They were hatched about the end of October, and for age were of fair size. Notwithstanding encomium*,. passed upon these pullets, I may ; ay that we have- finer quality down sotith in the yards of Mr Henderson, at the Forbury. Among a few, buff pullets of a uniform light tint I saw not a single miscoloured feather. These were late hatched ; but, so far north, will, no doubt make the requisite size, and otherwise develop to show form. It w to be hoped that euch good birds will be provided with a worthy ,mate by breeding time, and, presuming that the captain cares to go on with the breed, he may be trusted in this particular. The silvers shown me wore not up to the yard's standard, being too light throughout to last, and too light in fluff to breed from.

The last birds to attract my attention were a, Langehan cock, winner of first at la»3t Auckland show, and three hens. The cock is a fine, upstanding bird, but as at prosent seen is not according to South Island requirements, being light in eye. I was told that as a cockerel he was all right in this respect. I could see no fault with the hens.

Without eending me a muoh longer way into the country than the time at my disposal would permit, my fiiend, Mr Hurle, could not suggest other yards in New Plymouth and neighbourhood worthy of a, visit. The name of Mr Clarke, late of Ashburton, M-as mentioned as one going in for poultry farming on a largo scale; but, being advised that he -was not properly started, I thought it better to move on to tho next centre — viz., .Sentry Hill, a short spin southwards from Nw Plymouth. Here I saw two fanciers whose yarde, together with that uf the Momohaka Government Farm, I shall describe noxt week.

A glanoe at my remarks upon the yards of Mr D. Patton, at Milton, will show that I have partly withdrawn m} r strictures passed last week upon South Island buffs.