THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 41, 25 March 1914, Page 6

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

CANTERBURY BREEDERS' NEEDS.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM DESIRED. The question of the desirability of establishing an experimental poultry farm near Christchurch was placed before the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) to-day by a deputation of poultry farmers, and others interested in the industry. The deputation was introduced by Mr T. H. Davey, M.P. Mr G. Willis, representing the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club, said that they were desirous of the establishment of. an experimental poultry farm near Oliristchurch. There were new de'velopmenw in the industry which the club could not undertake,- and, they thought the. Government should attend to the matter. Experiments should be conducted as they are now in America. The questions of housing and feeding needed investigation from a New Zealand standpoint.

Mr J. B. Merritt, on behalf of the New Zealand Poultry Association, said that the public- men of New Zealand had not devoted much attention to the industry of late, but it was worthy of care. The trade was worth 1-J millions annually to the producers. Last year £SIOO worth of eggs and poultry had been exported from Lyttelton. Mr Massey: Where to? ' ■". Mr Merritt: -They were chiefly taken away by the Home boats. . There were 23,000 head of poultry and 20,00tf dozen eggs exported. "The Home boats find that the. quality and price of the Canterbury product are so satisfactory that it pays them to get enough eggs .and poultry here to supply them for the voyage home and back. The rearing "of poultry would be a very profitable enterprise for • small farmers, as' had been pointed out by Lord Liverpool at Ashburton the other day. He' thought that the experimental farm should be elose to Christchurch, as it would be then in a central position. The <sld farm at Burriham was too far, away. They also asked that an additional instructor should be appointed. ' It was rather'much to expect one instructor'to cover the whole Dominion satisfactorily! If they could not get an instructor for Canterbury, they would like to see one appointed for the South" Island. Mr E. H. Boss, representing the Sfmth Island Poultry Association, which he "said dealt niore with fancy breeds, was nevertheless heartily in favour of the proposal of the Utility Club. Mr R. W. Hawke, who said he was a practical poultry farmer, urged" the necessity for* the careful recording of the results of -all experiments, and their cost, so as to demonstrate to the farmers matters with which they could not afford to experiment on their own farms. 1 Mr A. E. Wilson said that whereas last year they had chartered one chamber; lor the export of eggs to Vancouver, they had this year four.

The Prime. Minister said that, to establish a farm would require at least £SOO for land, and £IOOO for equipment! Then there would be £SOO a year for maintenance, as these institutions did not return a profit. Would this expenditure pay? Several members of the deputation expressed the opinion that it would be worth while if the department would undertake this liability. The whole Dominion would certainly benefit by the establishment of the farm, and the dis : semination of the knowledge gained as the result of its experiments. Mr Massey said that, speaking of experimental farms in general, he had been disappointed that so few farmers oven residing in the district where the farms were situated took the trouble to visit them.

Mr Willis said that dozens of poultry farmers from all parts of the Dominion came to Papanui to see the work of the Utility Club. • Mr Massey: It might be different with poultry-farmers. In any case I shall consult with the officers of the Agricultural Department, and you shall have your answer in two or three weeks.

Ostriches are noted for their indifference to the quality of their diet. Stones, nails, hairpins do not dome amiss, but are all consumed by these birds. Apparently it would seem that same sheep also are not averse to a change of diet on occasion. Eecently at the Gear Company's works, a buteher, while dressing a sheep, came across a salad oil bottle in its interior. The bbttle was of the usual stock size, and the animal: must have suffered severaly. .How it there can only be conjectured.