POULTRY NOTES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10716, 10 September 1912, Page 6

POULTRY NOTES

(By Imntariaa.) The Palmerston North Kgg Circle I has now adopted the procedure of paying its member.-; for eggs by cash on. delivery. It is felt this will give a further impetus to the movement. A local breeder has had tho temerity to set a Wlvito Leghorn hen 011 eggs, with the result that not only did she fulfil her,duties, but brought every one out, thirteen all told. The extreme difficulty he, like almost everyone else has,, had this season in obtaining suitable sitters was the reason for his taking this decidedlyrisky step. On tho other hand wo have also inst, heard ot another breeder in tho district who. shut up five broodies to euro them., as ho thought no one required them. An advertisement in these columns, I can guarantee, would have brought him numerous inquiries and ho could have sold them at a good figure. Wo have to chronicle tho recent visit of the genial Mr E. Brown, Government Poultry Instructor, t-o this town last week. Unfortunately, the notification war. brief, and consequently so many did not see him a.'f would otherwise have been the case. However, he v:sitcd several plants, including Mr Jarrett's, Mr Mowbray's, Mr Boddington's, tho writer's, and others. He will, in all probability, be- here again in the course, of a. couple of months, wheii ii is expected longer notice will bo given. More than one has intimated that he will bo pleased fo-r Mr Brown to give a practical demonstration at his farm for visitors to witness, and it wp.s .suggested to him that if t.mo permitted he would do this, ■ giving,* say, two or three afternoons at different places, which would peim.it everyone who wished tho opportunity of making his persona' acquaintance. We wish to point out here, that some misconception of Mr Brown's duties aro somewhat prevalent. _ He is different to an ordinary fruit inspector, who comes whether you wish it 01 not. The former has the whole of New Zealand to attend to, and only comes to anyone's place when askoc. to do so. Indeed, he lias time to do even this. We badly want more inspectors. On tho second day of Mr Brown's visit hust week a pleasant gathering took place at the Utility Poultry Farm, when upwardr. I of a dozen persons were present to learn soma useful points in aviculture. J The instructor was very satisfied with', tho quality of the runner duckn on j tho farm, one pen in particular meeting with nothing but approbation from him. and a drake which ho | saw, he stated, was just the identical I type of bird he was lately looking for to suit a client. The fowls were then submitted to keen criticism, Mr Brown pointing out the characteristics to be sought for. The most instructive and pleasurable < moments were when all were gathered in one of ' th* pens of tho closer settlement system house, Mr Ilfown parting with | words which fell like cascades from a , river of wisdom. ..Soon .his | eye would detect the bird he i'&qiurj ed'to typify his remarks with. Quiett|ly and quickly he would catch the I lien, and holding it in his Jiands- ' jvould point out to his Irearc:'?. e?f <' actly tho arguments he Was adducing, Questions were numerous and that is another of Mr Brown's virtues that j even the most amateurish query he will never let hirt risible feelings | como to light, but be will show the questioner his error, i«. siioh a manner that he, like Oliver Twist, is encouraged to ask for more. Wo feel sure that everyone who was present at thi3 practical demonstration went • home decidedly wiser than when t.ney came, and that allare looking forward , to tho Instructor's next visit, and, ' may it. be soon. A contemporary records that a ; breeder near Napier has no less, •than about a thousand ducks "nd fowls mated, up this season, and 'that ; another egg producer is gathering one hundred dozen egus a day. Itj would almost appear that Ave are | shortly to closely'rival the American | poultrvmen who love to deal in 1 flocks of several'thousands.

It is gratifying to know that Mr Brown states he saw some very good birds in the different yards he visitr ed about Masterton.

We strongly urge every interested poultry'mnn to hand in his or her name to the committee of the Utility Egg Circle or to Mr T. H. Rutherford. if they wish. Mr Brown to personally inspect their birds on his next visit.