A POULTRY SHOW

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 2420, 31 July 1891, Page 2

A POULTRY SHOW

Thk striking suqeess of the various poultry shows held this winter shows a most remarkable advance m the breeding of high-class poultry. The entries at most of the shows are more numerous than has ever before been the case, and on all hands it is stated that » the quality of the exhibits shows a great improvement compared with former years, The raising of poultry for .the table and for the supply of eggs is steadily recommended to the smaller class of farmers, especially those within driving distance of a larga town, as one of the most profitable branches of farming, yet there are few districts m which much attention is given to it. The neighborhood of Auckland, we believe, contains some very successful poultry farrnfo, but the industry is practically confined at present to the propagation of fancy breeds for sale, and not for the supply of eggs and birds for food purposes. Poultry j raising must become of more and more importance year by year, as long as the export of mutton continues. Even now poultry can be* sold profitably at as low a price as that which must be paid for the best joints of mutton or beef, and a little more attention given to breeding and feeding would largely increase the quality and the supply ; and by cultivating early maturity and t^ius effecting a saving m the cost of feeding, the profits would be greatly increased. It is recognised m regard to poultry, as with other- domestic animals, that to obtain satisfactory produce the male parent at anyrate must be of undoubtedly pure blood. The supply of pure-bred birds as the foundation for good yards of poultry is the limit attained at present by most of those who have given poultry farming any attention. That they have found this industry profitable proves that there has been a demand for their birds and eggs, and, consequently, that an improvement m the general run of poultry must have been taking place, ft would have been thought that Ashburton, as a great grain-growing district, would have, been well to the front as regards poultry, but such is far from being the case. Not only are "fanciers"—as those who breed high class birds for sale nva generically termed—so few as to be almost unknown, but most- of the fanners are content to let their poultry run on, year after year, breeding m and m until the birds get so weedy as to be not worth killing, and their eggs scarcely number a score a year. There are a few good birds m the neighborhood, witness Mr E. E. Tasker's recent successes at the Timaru show ; and we think the present time, when there is something like a boom m poultry, is opportune for taking steps to promote a general improvement m this department. It may, perhaps, not come within the scope of tho operations of our very successful Agricultural and Pastoral Association. If it does, well and good. If not, there should be no difficulty m forming a Poultry Society; resembling on a small scale to begin with, those fit Christ-church, Sydenharn, Timaru, Oamaru, and almost every town of importance m the country. There would be very little risk connected with the society. Scarcely a farmer m the county would withhold a membership subscription, and kindred societies would cheerfully lend the necessary appliances for a show. Residents m tho district would then have a chance to see what good poultry really are, and would endeavor to breed up to that standard. It is certain that the insult would be advantageous to the district, and it only requires a few energetic spirits to take the matter up for their efforts to be crowned with success.