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Otago Witness, Issue 2721, 9 May 1906, Page 31

SIXTH ANNUAL TRIP.

Bi Turbo*.

; Mr J. Dowdall, Bald Hill Flat, can pro- ! duce cards for championships and for all classes in black-red game, and the few birds of this broed which he kept at tho time of my visit were sufficiently attractive to arrest my progress a 9 I was hurrying by on my road to Miller's Flat. In white Leghorns this fancier bas some very nice stock, particularly in cockerels, a number of which I noticed to be strong in comb, legs, acd shape. Seacliff and Milton hens, mated to a Keddell (Clyde) cock, have in this cabe produced good results. In addition to the foregoing Mr Dowdall Las a large mob of Minorcas of average quality, and a number of black-red gameMinorca crosses, the cross being, in their owner's opinion, exceptionally good layers of fair-sized eggs and active^ tight-feathered heavy table birds. All on its "lonesome" ' I was also shown a very handsome cock pheasant. I think Mr Dowdall could get nfate- for this from the Milton Government Poultry Farm. Mr D. Patton (Milton) has extended his poultry pla-nt by the addition of a house and run for buffs. The house is 14ft x ?ft (roost and scratching shed), is ironroofed with wood lining beneath, and the scratching part is netted with bird-proof ■vrire oT«r tla« whcl« front. Tlie run is large, well covered with clover, and being a section of the orchard contains, of course, numerous fruit trees affording shelter. As I have tried to infer in numerous reports of this fancier's birds and premises, his methods for securing the comfort of his fowls at all times are exceptionally good. Miany fanciers know exactly -what they would like to do in regard to roosts, runs, and accessories, but very few follow up their ideas — some because they have not the means, others because they lack the energy to act. When Mr Patton builds a house nowadays he places all inside boarding so that there are no places for dust to settle upon ; he ventilates thoroughly ; his perches are low and strong, of the thickness he most approves, and fixed so that they can be readily removed; the floors are evenly bricked or cemented, and all doors to houses and gates to runs are made in carpenter-like fasnion— i,e., ore strong, •well-hinged, and fitted with easily-handled fastenings. The fronts of the scratching sheds are wired in with narrow-meshed wire, so that small birds cannot rob the fowls. There are tanks to the houses, with taps arranged to constantly drop water into tho drinking vessels, and there is a plentiful supply in all runs of river gravel, apparently sifted to a suitable size. Brown Leghorns — this fancier's specialty for many years — are this year in evidence in large number, and in the mob are several pullets from, imported stock giving great promise, being beautiful in- " colour and wonderfully free of ru3t. A lot or 15 cockerels hatched in August make a- fine show of correct combs, nice hackles', and grand size. One buff Wyandottc cockerel running with this lot is a real beauty. He is perfectly clean throughout, of good size and carriage, has a nice head, and will "«Ake a presentable appearance at axij show.

This bird and four pullets are from oggs procured from Rock, of Melbourne, s Amongst the pullets (all of which are good) is a bird of great promise, being quite i equal, if not superior, to the cockerel men- , tioned. > Next week I conclude the report of my ] trip with notes oif" the Government Farm > . at Milton. ' " j : "■■■ r^* ■ — - I '