The Farm.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 July 1893, Page 11

The Farm.

POULTRY ROTES.

(By -Minorca.)

By the express train on Monday, July 3rd, two Invercargill'fanciers — Messrs A. R. Lindsay and H. Double ■ —sent a number of birds to compete at the Sydenham show bn sth and 6th inst. The former exhibitor had 13 entries, consisting of Aylesbury ducks, Plymouth Rocks, light Brahmas, silver-laced Wyandottes, and white Leghorns; and the latter a pair of Langshans. As, the birds are all of considerable merit they will take some beating. • r Mr A. R. Lindsay had a very good innings at the late Riverton show, scooping a large number of the class prizes, as well as the prize for the largest number ofpoints in poultry. It is generally to be, regretted that the Committee of the Southland Poultry Association altered the date of their exhibition to suit the convenience of the Dunedinites. The . dates now fixed upon for the local show clash with Christchurch, and as more than one Invercargill fancier had decided some time ago to send birds to the Canterbury exhibition the consequences are that our own society will suffer. This is the more to be regretted as it is certain that the Dunedin people have always acted in an utterly selfish manner, never studying the convenience of any other soeiety. As the Southland dates have been a fixture for years it Cannot be said that the other societies did not know them. If the Southland Society have nob got their prizeschedules out they might do worse than revert to their old dates. Speaking of prize-schedules reminds me that the local committee seem to be lagging in their work this year. As the show is to take place on the 9th and 10th of August, it is surely time that the programmes were in the hands of intending exhibitors. There do not seem to have been many importations of fowls this season, but there have been a number of good birds bred in the district, some of which are from eggs brought from the Rorth. The results, so far as can be at present seen, are very encouraging, there being a number of very promising birds amongst them, many of ; which will likely compete in the junior classes at the forthcoming show. One of our oldest Southland exhibitors and an ex-official of the Society at that—states that he does not intend to exhibit for competition for the future. This is a great mistake, and it is to be hoped that he will be induced to alter his mind before the date for the closing of entries. The more competitors always providing they have worthy exhibits —the better for the society and also for the successful exhibit-; ors. Poultry, like most things, have their seasons of fashion. At present

the white Leghorn is the most fashionable in Southland, and they are really an excellent fowl, as well as being very pretty. They are neat and trim, and at once take the eye. Their bright red combs and 'wattles look well in juxtaposition with their clean, wdnte plumage and yellow legs. So far as this locality is concerned, the chief drawback is their large single combs, which are apt to get a touch of frost. However, good housing would avert that. The Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, and Langshans have evidently taken a good hold in the district, having all their fanciers, and indeed they are all three good sorts. The Committee of the Southland Poultry Association held a meeting on Monday, June 3rd. There was a good attendance, and a good deal of work was got through in connection with the forthcoming show. Three judges were appointed —all local men —the feeling of the meeting being that local judges gave fully as much satisfaction as those brought from a distance, besides being a great saving to the Society.