POULTRY NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 November 1913, Page 3

POULTRY NOTES.

(By. Utilitarian.) Is it justifiable for all concerned to reduce the price of settings at the end of a hatching season, or not? There aro plenty who say no. They argue, and not without some degree of reason, that tho man who buys just previous to the period of reduced prices is not being treated fairly, and further, that often enough the later buy- | or, not grasping the true economic reason of the vendor making the reduction, and perhaps not getting such good results as tho earlier buyer, is apt to bo dissatisfied and considers ho has been palmed off with some cheap rubbish. Trade, whether in settings, elephants, groceries or anything else, is curried out according to the probable results, pecimiarly. The late-hatch-ed pullet will often thrive, with care, as well as tho early-comer, but when it comos to a question of £ s. d. the latter will win through being able to dispose olf her eggs in the dear season. It is not numbers alone of eggs that pays, it is tho revenue derivable. Adam Smith, over a hundred years ago, pointed out that the resources of a nation were measured by the revenue, not merely by its producing powers. Therefore, it would appear Jdiat.it is hut justice to reduce prices at the end of the season, as results to the buyer will not he so beneficial. The ignorant and dissatisfied buyer will a.muse himself by crying down the vendor's waros, forgetting that the vendor has made his marble good with a lower charge. The draper ono day charges £2 for ,a pair of blankets, the next, having his annual sale, reduces them to, say, 255, There can be no appreciable difference in their valuo between one day aid the next, and there can be no appreciable difference in settings between one day and the next, though the price may be altered 100 •per cent. Still, if a reduction in either case is-made, a date must be fixed some time, and buyers can, please themselves which they adopt. Co-operation, however, is badly needed in the sale of settings and stock,, just as with commercial eggs, and though if some uniformity was 1 ; effected, there might be a few unscrupulous persons who would not stick to the governing rules, the majority would, and the majority must rule all the world over. Until cooperation in this respect is the order of tho day, freedom of charges must be allowed. # Discussion on the foregoing is respectfully suggested to those interested at the next Poultry Conference. Those who have come to! the,end oi a lengthy hatching season may be apt to slack off in their care of the young stock. This should not be. Constant attention, to ensure, profits next winter, is necessary. ' Mr W. Johnson, late manager, of the local branch of the Bank of Australasia, has had a somewhat hard stroke of luck, having raised a considerable number of chickens, which are being disposed of at a sacrifice;, owing to his change of residence The Farmers' Union in Auckland is endeavouring to organise the poultry industry on to a similar basis as the Wellington Poultry Industries- Co., Ltd., but as there are no egg circles in the northern province; the work will be a harder task, though, perhaps, the larger riumber engaged in /the industry will remedy matters tosome extent. It is 'but a matter of time, and short at that, when , the whole Dominion will be organised into one body, as far as--poultry is concerned, and'those who read the signs of tho times, in a like manner to the writer, will agree with him that recognising the power workers are gaining, whether for better or for worse, makes it tho mere imperative for producers to wield themselves into one. solidified body, so 'that strikes or lock-outs will but affect them with a modicum of harm. Even union workers who own poultry, arid who may be on strike, more against their will than otherwise, will be none the worse off for belonging td a anion of poultry producers. In fact, .some of these workers, keen enthusiasts of poultry, might be the gainers in tho long run, through the strikes, much as they abhor them, for the otherwise idle time spent, dat of work, can be profitably; used amongst the birds, eventually leading to ; an independence. While writing the foregoing, word is to hand tliat, owing to the Wellington strike, eggs have risen to Is 6d per dozen, most unusually high for October. Nearly every member of the Utility Circlo has now become a shareholder in the Poultry Industries Co.. It is frequently asked whether.it. is better to dispose of market birds in Masterton or Wellington.. The, sLn* r swer depends on the number to quit. If only a dozen or, say, up to 20 at a time, it is generally wiser to sell locally, for the railway freight on a small lot is ruinous. "When from a couple of dozen birds and upwards are ready to go, the city market.will be found moro profitable, provided, of course, tile stock is in good condition. Quality of the birds is important, the public getting tired of buying frames; they want the whole carcase complete, and decently-dressed. As a rule the city poulterers, or dealers, are very lax in their preparation, isome of the birds .being exposed in anything but a tempting manner for purchasing.