Egg-laying Competition.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3944, 24 November 1908, Page 2

Egg-laying Competition.

The twenty-seventh week was concluded on Friday last. The number of eggs laid during the week was 646, being an average of 24.3 eggs per pen. The total number of eggs laid since 16th May is 37,07-1, being an average of 561.72 eggs per pen. The highest layings for the week are:— Light Breeds. C. D. Beatson, White Leghorns, 34. W. T, Goodwin, White Leghorns, 31. Mrs J. Salt, White Leghorns, 31. Waikato Independent, White Leghorns, 32. Harrison and Gratton, White Leghorns, 23. Mrs Rout, White Leghorns, 32. Heavy Breeds.

Waikato Central Association, Black Orpingtons, 31.

Auckland A. and P. Association, Black Orpingtons, 31. E. Veale, Black Orpingtons, 31. Chamber of Commerce, White Orpingtons, 27. Wm. Runciman, White Wyandottes, 26. The leading pens to date are: Light Breeds.

Harrison and Grattan, White Leghorns, 764.

A. R. Browne, White Leghorrns, 729.

Waikato Independent,' White Leg horns, 710.

C. D. Beatson, White Leghorns 707. E. B. Hill, White Leghorns, 675. Heavy Breeds.

E. Veale, Black Orpingtons, 757. Chamber of Commerce, White Orpingtons, 653.

Miss Ona Roberts, Silver Wyandottes, 637. Waikato Central Association, Black Orpingtons, 630. Muller Bros., Black Orpingtons, 591. The weather during the week was wet.

The directors of the North Island Egg Laying Competition at Cambridge are making every effort to anticipate the needs of the utility poultry world. They consider that competitions an- to the utility man what shows have been and are to the fancier, and in order to increase the scope of the work as well as the interest, they intend to make several innovations next year which they fully believe will on the one hand, guard against previous dangers, and on the other hand, stimulate both the large and small breeders of poultry. One of tha chief dangers seen in the past has been the tendency for some really good breeds in themselves to be almost entirely eclipsed by a few varieties, notably the While Leghorn, Black Orpington and Silver Wyanc'otte, and if only the same care and continuous breeding were given to other varieties the same results could be attained.

With this object in view the association this year established both a heavy and a light section, and next year they are going still further by offering in addition, prizes to each breed represented by at least three pens, providing the winners lay up to a fair average total.

Ai other innovation is to be established —a championship class—which shall compete separately from the main competition for a substantial trophy, and thus it is hoped, secure a stiong clans of the foremost strains in existence. This should have the tendency of stimulating both the large well known breeders to the championship class, and at the same time encourage the smaller and rising breeders and poultry fanciers generally, to compete in the general section. The prize schedule has been carefully revised and the entrance I fees have been substantially reduced lin order to bring the competition within the reach of all, and to promote the real welfare of the industry ! as much as possible. To meet the numerous requests from duck breeders, it has been decided to further increase the usefulness of the association by establishing a duck egg laying competition; also with a separate prize list, and as the ground is eminently suitable for ducks it is hoped that a large entry will be forthcoming for this section.