SIXTH ANNUAL TRIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 31

SIXTH ANNUAL TRIP.

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* XII.—GORE. At Gore I had the misfortune to find that some half-dozen fanciers, any one of •whom would gladly have acted as guide or director, was out of town, ill, or at least "out," with the result that it was with difficulty I managed to ascertain the whereabouts of the very few fanciers of whose yards I shall speak. Mr George Shave, who When I laat visited this thriving inland town kept only Minorcas, has, I found, taken up with a n ew fancy —i.c., buff Orpingtons, —and is possessed of some very fair specimens of the breed, the strain represented in the yards being the Seacliff and the Rev. Mr Mitchell's. Mr Domigan, who gave promise of taking up the breeding of poultry in a large way when I last saw him, had, I found, reduced his stock considerably prior to a trip to the Old Country, and reports that since his return h© has scarcely settled down to reinstating his flock yet. He has a few good birds still on hand, however, as also the accommodation and appliances with which to work a large farm, and given a renewal of his old enthusiasm he may come to the fore yet. Mr Peterson, a brother of the Owaka breeder of the same name, is making an excellent start upon proper lines for an extensive poultry business. He has erected a 50ft brooder house, heated by hot-air pipes, and last season raised by its means about 250 chickens. At present this fancier favours buffs, Minorcas, and white Leghorns, and all his chickens appear healthy

and good sorts. Mr Peterson's arrange- ' ments for breeding pens are well designed, and put up in a thoroughly workmanlike manner, and every precaution is taken for the comfort of the stock. Pending the growth of natural shelter a lavish use of scrim against the wire divisions has so far proved advantageous to the growing chickens. Hh runs to Breeding pens being built are 100 ft long by 10ft wide. Including some 40 Peking ducks of first-rate quality, 25 laying hens, and the chickens already mentioned, this fancier has, it will be seen, already over 300 he.ad of feathered stock. In the way of accessories I was shown two incubators — namely a 120-egg Cypher and a 240 Prairie State, — a Mann's bonecutter, and an Enterprise mill. > tJnde-r the circumstances this brief note must suffice for Gore. Next week I shall report upon Waikaia fanciers, and the following week conclude with Tapanui and Waitahuna.