SIXTH ANNUAL TRIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 31

SIXTH ANNUAL TRIP.

By Tbehoe. XTV.— TAPANUI.— (Continued). Miss Qain has English j^rne, Langshans, find white Leghorns of both chow type and laying strains; and, judging by appearances and the repute which these yards have in j the neighbourhood, no birds are better I cared for. Birds recently imported from i Australia of Warren's celebrated laying

strain of Leghorns do not give the indications looked for in birds intended for business purposes, and, consequently, are not quite up to Miss Quin's expectations, but possibly they may belie their looks: they ceilainly are not show specimens. Other white Leghorns to be seen in this fancier's pens, of Sinclair's strain, are> of excellent quality, and I see no reason why they .should not, with such unremitting oaro as they receive, prove equal to any as layers. The housing provided for Miss Quin's birds is of the best possible description — substantial, comfortable, and well designed, and, given a little more shelter, their quarters would be ideail.

Mr George Grant showed me Langshans of Double's and Lawson's strains, golden Wyandotres from Sinclair, and some Minorcas. All are fair specimens. Mr Greenwood has Minorcas (faulty only in eye), and some Minorca-Langshan crosses. His birds have good accommodation and shelter.

WAITAHUNA.

Mr Wilde, of Waitahuna Gorge, who within the last few years has come quite to the front as breeder of and winner with silver and whit© Wyandottes and black and buff Orpingtons, has put up splendid accommodation for his birds tinder pines and other large growth. In silvers I was shown quite a mob of very pretty birds: a couple of pullets at -least being sure "cards" for this season's shows. One of these pullets well worthy of special mention is feathering out beautifully, showing good clean lacmg, and has ,nioe shape. Of this breed Mr Wilde has also several nice cockerels. In black Orpingtons the cock, second as cockerel at Dunedin and Gore last year, is still in good form, and amongst this season's cockerels are three oi- fotir very promising birds— i.e., large, low-set, good in eye, and brilliant in plumage. Amongst the pullets of this breed, also, are a number of very likely specimens. The white Wyandotte rooster first last year at Dunedin is small, but very handsome in head, and is still of good colour. A white cockerel which I saw is also on the small side, but very good in all other raoints. In whit© pullets Mr Wilde has quite, a fina show of shapely birds with small, well-set combs and good colour. This breeder has made recent importations in both whites and silvers, and evidently is bent upon having the best that monty can buy or skill in mating products ; and there is a. feeling abroad that in the long run he will get there all right. Mr Eateman, Waitahuna township, showed- me a buff cock, first at Balelutha in a class of 20, and first at Lawrence. as> cockerel. This bird is strong in colour, and has plenty of size. In white Leghorns this fancier has some very nice birds, particularly good in feather and' leg colour. In buffs, eggs procured from Bailey, of Victoria, produced a coek«r©l and two pullets, one of the latter talcing Ist and special against 20 entries at Balclutha show. Generally speaking, Mr Bateman's buffs are good in colour and full of promise of proper development. For ducks this fancier Jias splendid rang© and excellent accommodation, and hjs birds are of good quality. An Enterprise mill, Mann's bonecutter, and a Simplex 100-egg incubator, all evidently well usad, and which are properly placed in a conveniently-situated shed, indicate that this fancier knows his business thoroughly.

(Conclusion.)