NORTH ISLAND EGG-LAYING COMPETITION.

Waikato Independent, Volume IV, Issue 291, 16 October 1906, Page 6

NORTH ISLAND EGG-LAYING COMPETITION.

TO THE EDITOK.

Sir,—From the numerous inquiries made regarding the object of the proposed egg-laying competition, it is clear that many persons have not been following the development of the poultry industry during the last few years, and it may not be out of place to offer a few words of explanation in reference to the aims and objects of the Association just formed in Cambridge. It is not many years since the raising of poultry was looked upon as a very unimportant and subsidiary occupation, and to the average farmer, one to be tolerated only as pleasing the house-wife, and as no possible use as an industry. The Americans were the first to wake up to the fact that there was money in hens, and with characteristic cuteness set themselves to find out the best hens and the best methods to produce the most dollars. To-day the poultry industry in America takes only second place in the nation's production, and runs into many millions of dollars per annum. In the olden days a hen was a hen and that ended the matter, but the cute Yankee soon set himself to demonstrate that there were Hens and hens, and that the bird that would yield 100 eggs per annum was of more service than the one that gave only 50. Hence the introduction of °the trap nest, by which tests have been made and by careful selection and skilful matmgs pens of birds are now obtainable that will yield from 240 to 260 eggs each per year. Ail this is the result of many years' patient labour on the part of those who have faith in the industry; and the world at large is vastly indebted to these pioneers for a marvellous development in this important and profitable business. The development is still going on—Australia and New Zealand have" taken' the matter up most heartily, and it has been clearly shown that both the colonies are admirably adapted for raising poultry—indeed the Australians have beaten the Americans with their own stock and their I

own methods so far as egg production was concerned. It was thought advisable to adopt some method of bringing to the front the best egg producing strains, and, following the American plan, the people of New South Wales started an egg-laying competition under. I believe, Government supervision. This competition was attended with such good results that similar action has been taken in most of the Australian colonies, and in the South Island of New Zealand. As I said before, the primary object of these competions is to bring out the best laying strains in such a way that the public may see for themselves what can be done in the way of egg production, and be put in the way of securing birds that will give the maximum results. With the exception of the competition at Lincoln College, Canterbury, every competition has been an unqualified success. As in most other things the North Island of this colony is behind in this matter. No competition has yet been held in the North Island and. although last year Auckland made an effort, the matter fell through owing to some difficulty about securing a suitable site. For this reason the promoters of the competition to be held at Cambridge, took action in order that the matter can be got well in hand to start in May next. The conditions in this district for such a competition are perfect, the climate and the soil are all that can be desired, and the promoters have every reason to believe that there will be no lack of support in bringing the venture to a successful issue. It is confidently expected that birds from some of the best breeders in Australia, as well as from all parts of New Zealand, will be represented in the competition here. I need scarcely say that the sole object of those who have taken the initiative in the matter, is to promote the interests of what is now admitted to be an important and profitable industry. What the Babcock test is to the dairy herd, trap nests and laying competitions are to the poultry world. There are thousands of dairy cows in this country which do not return £5 a year, and there are tens of thousands of hens that do not pay their feed bill. Both are a loss and disappointment to their owners and want boiling down. Those who have studied the matter carefully are confident that the average hen can, by securing the right strains, be got to produce 200 eggs a year, whereas at the present time about 70 would be something like the figure to put down for an all-round average. Possibly, with your kind permission, a few further details as to the methods of working these competitions may be forwarded. Apogising for writing at such length, I am, etc., E. Veale.