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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 190, 25 July 1874, Page 2

At the annual dinner of the Coggeshall Agricultural Society, Mr. Meehi said that, “ one great deficiency in connection with agriculture was the want of higher and more scientific education of agriculturists. He knew there was very strong predujice in favor of practical men and practical measures; but if theory and practice could be combined, the combination would tend greatly to the welfare of the country. In America there were 32 agricultural colleges, each having three or four acres of land attached, while in England there was only one such college, that at Cirencester. This was a great misfortune to England.” Eggs are scarce and consequently dear, as very few fowls at this season are laying. The following suggestion by an American gentleman may therefore be eagerly received by keepers of poultry: —“ It has long been known to milkmen that wheat middlings and bran are about the best of any feed to make a cow give milk; why not the best,,then to make the hens lay eggs ? I tried it and since then have had no trouble. My mode of preparing the feed is to mix about five parts of bran with one of middlings. In the morning I wet up with water about four quarts of the mixture in a large tin pan, taking pains to have it rather dry, though all damp. This I set in a warm, sunny spot, south of their shed, and they walk back, take a few dips, don’t seem to fancy it like corn, and start off on a short hunt for something better, but always coming round in a short time for a few more from the dish of bran. There is little time during the whole day bnt what one or more are standing by the pan and helping themselves. lam careful to mix for them just as much as they will consume during the day. At night, just before they repair to roost, I usually throw them about a pint of shelled corn well scattered so that each one can get a few kernels. If your hens don’t incline to eat this food at first, sprinkle a little Indian meal on it. I would like all who complain of not getting eggs to try my plan, and I think they will never be sorry.”