POULTRY-REARING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1922, Page 3

POULTRY-REARING.

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ COMPETITION. " At Saturday’s meeting* of the executive of the Northern Division of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, when the question of interesting boys and girls in poultry-raising came up for discussion. Mr. Grant mentioned that while in Wellington recently he had discussed the proposal with Dr. Reakes, director of the Agricultural Department, who had since obtained a report from Mr. F. C. Brown, chief Government poultry expert. This contained certain suggestions, including the following: "That parents who are in sympathy with the movement be requested to build for each child a house and run of an inexpensive hut uniform type of modern design to accommodate from, say, eight fowls upwards. That each member of the club be provided with one or more settings of dftrs from approved stock, preferably one of the heavier breeds as the basis for building up a flock, and that these be hatched and reared in a natural way and tn a. simple but uniform, style of coop. Artificial methods of hatching and rearing should not be recommended, as opportunity would not be provided, for the children to study nature's methods, which give the best possible instructions for hatching and rearing by artificial means. That ns soon as possible the members be brought together and a demonstration be given by a practical person in regard to the care and management of the sitting hen. That each member be given a copy of the department’s poultry pamphlet for reference in connection with this and other matters pertaining to poultry-keeping. That in order to create interest and rivalry the plants he inspected periodically, preferably by a. Government poultry instructor, and prizes he awarded according to the health of the birds, cleanliness of the plant, and general systematic management. That as a further moans of creating interest an endeavor be made to arrange with the local poultry society that a special class or classes be included at the annual show judged by a Government poultry instructor. That during the second year, if the experience previously gained warranted it. advanced pupils he given the opportunity of tHlij* ftrlifloiai means for hatching and rearing, and prizes he awarded for the highest fldrcentnge of chickens hatched and reared. That arrangements be made for the members fr. frequently given instruction by means of lectures and demonstrations. Mr. Brown added that he was keenly interested in the movement, and that both he and his assistants would be glad to give any assistance possible tn further their interests.” f

The executive approved of the scheme as fjftggfiSted by Mr. Brown, and it was decided to liOld competitions in poultry-raising for nupils of town schools up to and including standard 5. The New Plymouth Poultry Society is to be asked to suggest details, and an appeal will be made to, poultry fanciers for gifts of sittings of Brown and White Leghorn. ’Minorca and Orpington eggs, all eggs of the same breed collected to be pooled before distribution.