The Poultry Expert.

Thames Star, Volume XLII, Issue 10682, 10 August 1905, Page 4

The Poultry Expert.

ME D. D. HYDE AT THAMES. THE VALUE OF POULTRY RAISING. Taking advantage of the presence at Thames of Mr D;. D.. Hyde, Government poultry expert, a representative of this paper yesterday had a brief interview with, that gentleman, who imparted some interesting facts relating to the value of the poultry industry and the. advantages, both monetary and otherwise, to be derived from a. proper attention, to what may be termed the science- of poultry raising and keeping. Mr iiyde has done splendid work s:nce his .appointment as poultry expert, and the prominent j place tr at the experimental stations ', now occupj, coupled with the remarkI able, advance made ir the matter of | export of frozen poultry, show that in Mir Hyde the Government possess a i valuable officer, whose heart is in his ! work, and who has the ability and experience: necessary for th& position. : Mir Hyde's mission to> Thames on this occasior was principally to give information: on questions of detail to a gentleman who had communicated with the Department on. certain, subjects. He intends to pay a, visit of longer duration as soon. ?s possible, and will visit the goldfields district. In this connection, we hope that such preliminary steps will be taken as will ensure the giving of a, lecture at Thames, when much valuable, information will, we are-sure, be afforded. Mr Hyde possesses the qualification of attracting, and his manner elicits the fullest, sympathy and establishes the greatest confidence. He is not only an expert, he i:- en enthusiast, and" he has. the happy knack of conveying the enthusiasm to others. In answer to- questions Mr Hyde stated that the Government had now four poultry stations —at Ruakarr (Waifcatc). Man?fhaki in the North Island, and Burnham (Christchurch) and Milton (Otago) in the South. At these stations good work Ins been accomplished, and the "supply of good stock has been in gocd demand, while the stations themselves have made rapid advance, and have increased greatly ira usefulness. In season birds of first-class quality and of proved strains are supplied, and sittings of eggs of any variety can always be secured. As to the export of frozen poultry, this industry has increased to a. wonderful extent. At present South Africa, whe-rei the quality of the poultry is generally inferior, is the best market at present, but Mr Hyde has great hopes that the Home markets will prove to be good customers dur-, ing the next season. It was stated in j South Africa that Russian and Ameri-' can poultry was superior to that of ; New Zealand, and a reduction was .. sought, for, but Mr Hyde, instituted inquiries and received samples, with the result that the superiority of If'ew Zealand, poultry was proved beyond a doubt. ■ i Mir Hyde has a large extent of country to cover—the North Cape to the Bluff—but he manages to find time for visits to all districts where any interest is taken or where interest, can be aroused in this commendable hobby;—poultry farming. He points out that the basis on which the majority commence operations is wrongs—failure inevitably results, and the industry is condemned, whereas it is the system adopted that has been . at fault. "Go in for pure bred poul- \ try," *h& said emphatically, "and the ■ results will be surprising. The mongrels probably are descended from a bad laying strain, and instead of getting about 200 eggs per hen per year the mam who stocks his run with 'undesirables' that should be in the pot, receives about 60 eggs. It is first as cheap—l believe, it is cheaper—to feed m good hen as to feed a bad one, so that from the- point, of view of actual results it is advisable to go in for hens of pure strain. If that is asking too much then weed out all the mongrel cocks, and purchase purebred, ones, and this will gradually improve the quality. Mr Hyde is of opinion that all poultry should bo said by weight, and this would naturally make the breeder anxious to improve the quality, so that his returns would improve. He advises poultry raisers- to go slow at first, make sure of their ground, and profit, by experience. A man taking up a goodly area and intending to make a business of poultry fanning should, before he launches out, pay a visit to one of the experimental farms, and thus gain, experience wEioh would prove most useful to him. The Department, of which Mr Hyde is the head, will render every possible assist ance, and we can testify to Mr Hyde's interest and enthusiasm, while poultry breeders throughout the colony have spoke in terms of praise of the valuable.-practical knowledge which he imparts. _ It is -Mr Hyde's intention to pay a visit to this and the other goldfields districts in about two months time, when ha will make a longer stay, and when he will bring himself in touch with all those who think' that the information which h« it» able to impart will be of interest aaid some, little use to them. We •will make known the date and other details. later on.