A CHAT WITH THE POULTRY EXPERT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVIV, Issue 4448, 22 May 1897, Page 3

A CHAT WITH THE POULTRY EXPERT.

During the course of a qpnversation with Mr A. J. Henderson, the newly-ap-pointed poultry expert, on the occasion of his visit to the district last week, he stated he was not yot prepared to do what he ultimately intended— namely, to go around amongst the settlers and interview them individually and try to bring them to treat poultry as part of the system of farming economy. The first ; tbing to be done in -that direction was to know from where to get a supply of thoroughly improved stock, otherwise when settlers are recommended to dispense with their breed of poultry the department he represented would not be in a positiou to point out to them where they might at a reasonable figure provide themselves with a better class of fowls. In answer to a question as to whether the Government intended to undertake the duty of fowl breeder, Mr Henderson explained that that was precisely what the Government intended to do. It had been decided to keep at the various centres in New Zealand flocks of pure bred fowls suited to the localities, and to supply sittings of eggs and cockerels for crossing at the lowest possible figures. At Soaclifif, where it was inteuded to establish a breeding station, the price would be half-a-crown a dozen for effgs and 5s for cockerels for crossing. These would be tbe prices in the spring but not in tbe autumn. As soon as these establishments were gob fairly under way it was intended that Mr Henderson should travel through all the country districts, Bee all the settlers, find out those who were willing, to take an interest in poultry matters and give them advice and assistance. Having explained to Mr Henderson that in this district for many years the improvement of the breed of fowls, principally for show purposes, bad received a good deal of attention, he said be was aware of the fact, but the breeding of that description of fowls did not come within the sccpe of his duties. At the same time, he might say that he was a firm believer in pure breeds and first crosses. It was not, however, possible to get in the pure breed of fowls the qualities desired both for production and the table. But it was quite possible to get both those qualities in crossbred fowls. As to the location of those breeding establishments, Mr Henderson explained that ho thought there were suitable places in Tuapeka for a branch establishment for breeding purposes. The probabilities wero that such an establishment would be started in this district. In reply to a suggestion as to the advisability of meeting the people and delivering lectures on the subject of his mission, Mr Henderson said he intended doing so on his return to the district. When he returned in a little time he meant to deliver lectures and go to all those places where there was sufficient interest shown to be taken in tbe work he was engaged in. In reply to a question, Mr Henderson said he did not kuow of any other country m the world where a poultry expert had been appointed. It was true that France was one of th'j greatest egg exporting countries in the world and. they had no poultry experts there. Yea ; they had poultry experts in some of the Australian colonies, bat they had not made any attempt at establishing breeding stations there. > „ Speaking as to the expected effects of his work, he said he looked forwaid to seeing eggs much cheaper in the winter than they were at present, and also that tbere would bo sufficient Applies to meet the demands of the larger markets. As regarded the breed of poultry he intended to supply to the settlers, there was one point on which he was very strong, aud that was the question of selection. His system of breeding was selection for useful qualities. His object will be to supply the settlers with a breed of fowls that will combine the best qualities both for production and as table birds. At the present time these considerations are not studied, and the consequence is that tbe breed of fowls in the country districts are undergoing constant deterioration. If he could provide a remedy for this, as he expected to do, he considered he would be conferring a valuable service on the country.