A PROFITABLE INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 819, 6 February 1903, Page 3

A PROFITABLE INDUSTRY.

address by government POULTRY EXPERT.

At a hastily convened meeting of farmors and poultry fanciers, held in the Farmers' Club rooms on Wednesday, Mr Hyde, the Government poultry expert, delivered a most interesting address on She subject of the poultry industry. Mr H. M. Porter was voted to the chair. In introducing Mr Hyde to the meeting, Mr Porter said that he himself represented the poultry fanciers somewhat, and he felt that he was voicing tho feelings of his fellow-fanciers in saying that they wished country people to benefit by poultryraising. The fanciers looked upon the Poultry Dspartment as a friend, and wore ready to walk with them hund in hand, Tho fanciers were in the position of supplying stud stock to country poultrykeepers, and wished to see the practical element brought into tho industry. He regretted that more notice of the meeting could not have been given. Mr H. Lysnar said that had more notice been given of the meeting there would have been a much larger attendance. In his opening remarks Mr Hydo stated ho regretted that he had been unable to give longer notice of his intended visit, but had he not taken the present opportunity of visiting Gisborne it would have boon soveral months before ho could havo come

this way. He had to speak at Waipawa during tho presont week, so consequently was compelled to cut his visit short. He would, however, come again at an early date and stay a week in the district. Ho understood that there had been some agitation in tho district for a poultry depot to bo established horo, and also for a grador to bo appointed, but personally, without wishing to do anything against tho interests of tho farmors, ho could not see his way to recommend that their wishes should bo eompliod with. They must bear in mind that in establishing such a placo a considerable oxpense would he thrown on tho Department, and ho did not think the industry was sufficiently advanced in this district for that. Ho was telling thorn candidly his recommen-

dation to the Department, but if thoy could toll him tho numbor of fowls they could produce thoy might bo ablo to get ovor some of the difficulties. There was a depot at Auckland, only 24 hours distant, and as tho Government paid freights there would be no difficulty in exporting on the score of expense. If the poultry were sent from Gisborne with a little grain scattered in the cratos it would be found that they would arrive in Auckland in good condition. He wished farmors to understand that although the Government paid oarriage on poultry to the depots thoy did not purchaso for ex-

port, and all consignments of poultry would havo to bo shipped Homo by the farmers through their agents.

Those who had cavilled at tho action of the Government at first were now willing to admit the benefits received. Roports from South Africa showed that the poultry from New Zealand were tho best prepared and largest imported there. The opinion passed on fowls exhibited in England was proof that thoy could produce fowls better than any other country. Mr Hyde quoted from tho conditions for exporting birde, and stated that they should be able to produce birds of a live weight of They should not attempt to send birds with long spurs. From the information coming to hand from South Africa, tho great demand at present existing would continue, and the London market could be depended upon to take eood poultry for all time, as the seasons were different, but they must send young birds and in good condition. South Africa could take from them thousands of birds of this description, and there was not the slightest possibility of the trado being overdone. “It costs no more to produce a good article than it does a scrag,” remarked Mr Hydo ; “ and there is no reason in the world why farmers should not keep first-

class stock. Every facility was being given by the Government to promote the poultry industry in the colony, and it was hoped that within a short time a good trado with South Africa and England would be obtained.” Continuing, Mr Hyde said that the Department had imported a number of Pekin and Aylesbury ducks, and tho demand for eggs could now bo met. Regarding runnor ducks, Mr Hyde stated they had no claim for table purposes, although they wero excellent for egg production. Runner ducks had been kept so extensively in Auckland that they had militated against the export for Home consumption. For farmers generally geese should bo kopt in a confined space, as the stock did not eare to feed ovor the placo where they had been. There was an excellent market at Home for turkeys.

Thoy could get Is 6d a lb for well-grown turkeys in the London market. They had a good London fancier in Mr Porter, who kept a first-class breed of turkeys, and he had written to other breoders in the colony

advising them to obtain eggs from Mr Porter's stock. Mr Hydo emphasisod the necessity for crossing. Given pound for pound, there was no industry that would pay so well as poultry-raising, if proper attention was given by farmers to the industry. If farmers took good caro of thoir stock, cullod out and selectod only the best, they would have hons capable of laying 12 dozen eggs a year. After deducting 7s ior expenses thoro was a clear profit of 5s a bird in a yoar. As showing the extent to which the trade could bo workod up to Mr Hydo stated that ono Wellington firm had rocoivod an order from England to forward a hundred tons of turkeys, and other firms had advised the Department that they could buy ten thousand pounds’ worth of poultry. This should convince thoso present what there was in the business, and what it meant to New Zealand when it was well established. Another thing that ho (Mr Hyde) had done was to get the duty taken off all appliances in connection with the industry, such as incubators, bone crushers, etc. With such concessions, they should not press the Department for the establishment of a depot until the extent of the industry justified it. At tho next show ho would bo only too pleased to see that a grader would bo in attendance to oxplain the methods of packing, etc., and otherwise getting tho birds away in tho best condition. Tho farmors would thus be enabled to send their birds away in such condition that would ronder their acceptance almost certain. Regarding eggs Mr Hyde mentioned that he had kept them in cool storage for six months, and they were good when takon out. Thero was no necessity for farmers to sell their eggs at less than Is a dozen, as thoy could bo kept in cool storage until the price had risen. In future agents would bo going round tho colony, purchasing poultry and eggs in the samo way as they were now doing in regard to butter. There was no reason why local farmers could not arrango with tho freezing works for cool storage and accommodation, and if this were done they would be able to command a good price for eggs all the year round. He had himself purchased eggs at 8d per dozen and preserved them, aftorwards soiling them at ‘2s 6d porjetozen. Regarding that tho industry would bo ovorevowded, Mr Hydo said thoso wore groundless, as ho had boon assured that their export of buttor last yoar was on'y equal to London s | consumption in a week. Colonials had absolutely no idoa of the enormity of London’s consumption. With respect to tho advance made in the export of poultry, Mr Hyde said their export was four times more this December than last, and he hoped to see it increase in the samo proportion during the noxt few years. (Applause). _ Mr Ranger asked with regard to what would become of tho crates when poultry were shippod to the Government dopots. , 'Mr Hydo said that the crates were returned for half rates. He had tried to have them returned free, but the steamship companies would not agree to mako the concession. Mr Ford suggested that tho crates should be made with hinges, so that thoy would pacK easily when returned. Mr Birroll, as Secretary of the Farmers’ Union, asked what would bo the basis upon which a depot would bo established. He also asked Mr Hydo for his opinion in regard to the advantage of caponising. Mr Hyde said that if the district oould guarantee 10,000 birds a depot would be

established, and a grader appointed to the place. He did not believe in caponising, as it was a cruel method, especially when done by novices. The practice was gradually dying out at Horne, and for general consumption was not thought of. Ho certainly did not advise it. Mr Morell asked Mr Hyde one or two questions in regard to the best breed of fowls to keep. Mr Hyde stated the ideal table bird was the cross between the Indian game and Dorking, and the best bird for practical use was the buff Orpington. These birds had the white flesh and clean legs, were

good layers, and for practical purposes were the best. The profit came from the ' eggs, not the carcase of the bird, and the laying powers of different breeds varied. There was reaily no best breed, but the secret of the business was breeding from the best layers. He wanted the poultryfarmers to breed only from the best layers, as tho Americans did, and in time they would have hens which would lay 175 to 200 eggs a year. In America, the poultry products were over 5,000,000d01s ahead of other industries.

Mr C. J. Parker said it would be a great advantage to the farmers if the eggs were collected in some place, and arrangements made for storing them in a cool chamber. Mr Hyde approved of this being done. He thought that a small company could be formed, and tho profits divided. At Borne length Mr Hyde urged the adoption of the principle of selling fowls at so much per lb and eggs in the same manner. In the South this was being done. Mr Parker said that tho farmer had a slight advantage, inasmuch that when eggs wore very cheap he could pick out all the larger ones and sell the small eggs. (Laughter.) Mr Birrell recognised tho importance of the industry to Poverty Bay, and saw in it a good field for the employment of many of the young men. Mr H. M. Porter proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Hydo for his address.

Mr R. M. Birrell seconded the motion. Mr Hyde’s addross had, he said, thrown a glamor over him, and he had seen the advantages of the industry in quite another light to that thrown on it in tho past. There’ was no doubt it would rival tho butter and cheese exports in time. Mr,Hyde, in acknowledging the vote of thanks, said he would endeavor to make another visit to the district shortly, whon ho would make a longer stay. If there was anything he could do to help the industry he would bo only too glad to do it. A vote of thanks to tho chairman terminated the meeting.