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 OPFIOIAL REPORT 
 
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 ROCEEDINGS, 
 
 D. F. LAURIE, Poultry Expert and Lecturer. 
 
 UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF 
 
 The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture. 
 
 R. E. E. EOGEKS, GOVEENMENT PRINTER, NORTH TERRACE. 
 
 Tgio. 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003088758 
 
^*'»***J ^^^^^ ^ttstvoUa. 
 
 POULTRY CONFERENCE. 
 
 OFFICIAL REPORT 
 
 Proceedings, 
 
 D. F. LAURIE, Poultry Expert and Lecturer. 
 
 UNDER THE AUTHOllITK OF 
 
 The Hon. ihe Minister of Agriculture. 
 
 p. E. D. ROGERS, QOVF.RNMENT PRINTER, NORTH TERRACE, 
 
 I9J0, 
 
Poultry Expert's Office, Adelaide, 
 May 25th, 1910, 
 
 The Hon. Minister of Agriculture. 
 
 Sir- 
 
 I have the honor herewith to forward the Official 
 Report of the Poultry Conference, held at the School of 
 Mines and Industries, Adelaide. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Sir, 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 D. F. LAURIE, Poultry Expert, &c, 
 
Official Report of. the Local Poultry Conference, 
 April 18th to April 22nd. 
 
 Poultry Expert's Office, Adelaide, May, 1910. 
 
 The first Local Poultry Conference, promoted by the Poultry and Kennel 
 Club, and held under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, was 
 begun in the Brookman Hall, School of Mines Building, on the evening of 
 April 18th. There was a large attendance. 
 
 The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. T. Pascoe, M.L.C.) presided, and was 
 supported by Mr. E. W. Van Sandon (President of the Poultry and Kennel 
 Club). 
 
 Old as the State. 
 
 The Minister said — 
 
 I am very pleased to be here to open this first Conference of poultry -breeders 
 in South Australia. The matter in whicli you are all interested is not an 
 absolutely new one. For many years it has been going on in a kind of 
 desultory way ; in fact, I suppose that as long as the colony has been estab- 
 lished there has been a poultry industry here, but it was not until 1895 that 
 the first steps were taken to interest the people in attending to poultry on 
 scientific lines. The interest was aroused particularly out of a deputation 
 which waited upon the Minister of the day from the Dog and Poultry 
 Society, and which resulted in the appointment of an expert (Mr. D. F. 
 Laurie). That was in the small days. That year there was only a 
 little over £27,000 worth of products from this particular industry exported 
 from South Australia. There were shipments in that year of poultry and 
 eggs to the London market. I suppose the shippers of that day did not 
 know quite so much about their business as they do to-day, for they were 
 very gratified to find a few of the eggs reach London in good condition, 
 while now the experience is, I believe, that very few reach London in any 
 other than good condition. 
 
 Growth of the Industry. 
 Since then this industry has grown, until in 1908, instead of £27,000 there 
 were exported £127,500 worth of these products from South Australia ; and 
 in 1909 eggs and poultry exported reached a total of £130,000 worth. Now, 
 the probabilities are that if the farming industry had not been so prosperous 
 in South Australia the poultry industry would have been more valuable even 
 than it is to-day. I think that in their present prosperous condition farmers 
 
6 
 
 generally are not putting themselves to the trouble over poultry which they 
 otherwise would. At present in South Australia the value of the poultry 
 products amounts to about £550,000 per annum. The Government has been 
 giving the subject a good deal of encouragement. We have most recently 
 appointed experts to conduct the system of egg circles — all with the intention 
 of helping on this industry to secure a firm footing in this State. Grants are 
 made by the Government to two societies in Adelaide and several in the 
 country. The Poultry Expert (Mr. Laurie) lectures to the various agri- 
 cultural bureaus, and there are regular courses at the School of Mines, to 
 teach the management of poultry. Not only that, but the Government has 
 established, as you know, two model poultry stations, under the supervision 
 of the Poultry Expert, at Roseworthy and Kybybolite ; and when people 
 visit these centres they can see how things ought to be conducted on scientific 
 lines. At these stations there have been, and are being, egg-laying, competi- 
 tions conducted, and we can take unto ourselves in South Australia the proud 
 position of having produced the record layers in the whole world. 
 
 World's Records. 
 
 While South Australia herself does not hold the record for the number of 
 eggs laid in one year, nevertheless, Mr. A. H. Padman sent a pen of his South 
 Australian birds to Queensland, and they put up 1,538 eggs in one year. 
 Mrs. A. E. Kinnear, in one year and Mr. Bertelsmeier in the last competition, 
 each reached the South Australian record total of 1,531 eggs. Nowhere else 
 in the world have they — in like conditions — ^done such things. The only 
 exception I can remember was an American advertisement for a particular 
 kind of fowl food. There was the picture of a hen licking the Australian 
 records hollow. After taking this fowl food, there she was, sitting on the 
 nest and the eggs came rolling away from her, sliding down a chute into the 
 trucks, and thence all over America. But at Roseworthy our fowls have 
 produced 255 eggs for an individual hen per annum, and the actual product 
 per hen has amounted to a little over 19s. per annum. When vou can get 
 one fowl to do that, it seems a fairly easy way to make a living. (A voice — 
 " Well, you try it, sir.") On top of the series of competitions there has now 
 been established the egg circles, to increase the quality and numbers of eggs 
 produced : quality by the regular gathering of eggs, thus ensuring freshness, 
 and quantity by the improvement of breed. You have heard how the eggs 
 are collected, forwarded to the head departments, circle-marked with the 
 number of each member and each circle, graded, and sent to markets found 
 for them by the Government officers at the head of the system. So far the 
 circles have been an unqualified success. They have a. good reputation in 
 the other States ; and, since imitation is the sincorest form of flattery, \\e 
 notice that in Victoria they are trying to form egg circles on the same lines 
 as our own. By markets being found lor circle eggs the prices are being 
 
kept more regular. I remember many times in my own experience when at 
 certain times in the year it was not worth while gathering up the eggs. 
 Besides regularising local prices the circles are now finding export markets, 
 thus making another great forward step for the industry. 
 
 Enthusiastic Ofhcees. 
 Besides eggs we have recently exported 2,300 chickens and ducklings. 
 The prices of the first shipment are now to hand, and the result is that duck- 
 lings averaged 7s. per pair gross in the London market, or 5s. 8d. net ; while 
 chickens averaged 1 Id. per pound, or 68. per pair net to the South Australian 
 producer. While we can export at prices like that it will pay the producer 
 to go in for them. We look to London to take our surplus in this line, and 
 there is a wonderful market there. Last year there were imported into 
 England eggs to the value of £7,235,302, and poultry valued at £920,699— 
 a total of over 8,000,000 sterling for this particular industry alone. That 
 gives an idea of the future of the industry, with higher prices ruling in the 
 Commonwealth and the English market to fall back upon. But it needs the 
 right people to take it up — people with enthusiasm and energy ; and I do not 
 know of any department in South Australia, by the way, which has more 
 enthusiastic officers than those we have at the head of this industry. Take 
 Messrs. Laurie and Kinnear. Why, if enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm then 
 the poultry-keepers of South Australia ought to make a success of things. 
 But the people must not expect the Government to do everything for them. 
 They must learn to fight their own battles. It can be done all right. 
 
 What the Fowls Did. 
 I remember a typical little instance where shrewdness and independence 
 paid. It was in the years of Northern drought. A neighbor of mine had 
 finished seeding, and had a few bags over. He was hard put for a little 
 capital, and decided to sell the wheat. His business-like wife argued against 
 his selling. The price was not 3s. per bushel, and she reckoned she could 
 make more if she kept the seed for the fowls. The result was that those 
 four bags brought in £1 per bushel. That is the forceful way to make the 
 industry pay. Now, we are starting to-night the first Conference of poultry- 
 keepers of South Australia. I wish it every success, so that it may be followed 
 by many more of the like. Further, I wish the poultry-keepers themselves 
 an ever-increasing and more successful future. 
 
 WHAT THE INDUSTRY MEANS. 
 
 Mr. Van Senden said — In support of the opening address of the Hon. Mr. 
 
 Pascoe, I would like to say that a conference was held at the Poultry 
 
 Expert's office between representatives of the Poultry and Kennel Club and 
 
 Messrs. Laurie and Kinnear. The Poultry and Kennel Club agreed to lend 
 
their assistance in promoting the Conference. As a result of a coinmunicatioh 
 from the Poultry and Kennel Club the Hon. Minister of Agriculture consented 
 to provide the funds for printing the report, &c. We were only too happy 
 to fall in with the idea. The club has been established for many years, and 
 has done all it could to encourage people to keep a good class of poultry, 
 which means, of course, a good class of eggs, and, still more important, a 
 larger number of eggs. So in a measure I hope we may have been useful to 
 the State. But what has been done recently by the Government is an action 
 which I am sure all people interested in the industry will be thankful for. 
 I remember some few years ago that at one of our shows the Hon. A. A. 
 Kirkpatrick (now Agent-General) was present at the official luncheon. Some 
 of the poultrymen, talking of the importance of the industry, said that it 
 was actually the largest industry in the United States. Everybody looked 
 dubious. The speaker who made this particular statement said it was valued 
 at 150 millions sterling. That was immediately questioned by Mr. Kirk- 
 patrick, but there were those present who proved that the statement was 
 quite correct, and that it was pounds sterling and not dollars that was meant. 
 There were 90 millions of people in America, and, seeing that our small com- 
 munity turns out the satisfactory poultry produce figures of £550,000, it 
 is a thing to be proud of. I trust the Government will always succeed in 
 finding such men for its enterprises as it has at present in Messrs. Laurie and 
 Kinnear. We owe a great debt to Mr. Pascoe for being here. I know how 
 interested he is in the affairs of this department and of the State generally. 
 For one indication, he had to get up at 4 o'clock this morning and catch the 
 train at Terowie to be with us now. I ask you to pass a very hearty vote of 
 thanks to the Minister for his interest and presence, and at the same time to 
 Major Norton, who has delivered to us such a valuable report upon the eve 
 of his departure for England. 
 This was carried with applause. 
 
 FAREWELL. 
 
 The Hon. Mr. Pascoe, in reply, said that as Minister of Agriculture it was 
 his duty as well as his pleasure to be present. At the same time that it 
 was pretty well an open secret that while this was Major Norton's last 
 appearance, there was also a grave probability of it being his own farewell. 
 
 A RETROSPECT. 
 
 An address on " Retrospect of Industry and Oversea Ma.rkots for Eggs and 
 Poultry " was given by the Trade Commissioner (Major Norton, D.S.O.). He 
 said — 
 
 I regret I have not had time to prepare a special paper for this Con- 
 gress. My recent visit to Sydney, whicli was undertaken in the interests 
 
9 
 
 of tlie industry and my approaching departure for England have rendered 
 it impossible for me to do so. It is my intention to give a retrospect of the 
 whole movement, and to show how bright the outlook is. First of all I want 
 to say how efficiently the organisation of the egg circle system has been carried 
 out by the organising secretary (Mr. A. E. Kinnear), who is a capable and 
 enthusiastic officer. You must know what an excellent man he is, and how 
 far he has worked to put the egg circles on a progressive footing. Mr. Kinnear 
 is keen down to the last detail, and I have been absolutely surprised at the 
 effective methods he has adopted. The egg circles have been firmly estab- 
 lished, and have decisively answered adverse and prejudiced criticism. 
 
 DisPKOvixG Pessimists. 
 
 Regarding the export of poultry to England you will remember that 
 I advised that no black legs should be sent. You will probably have noticed 
 that Mr. Pope has now asked for them. That is due to the scarcity of poultry 
 on the market, but as a general rule black legs are not wanted. It is only 
 occasional!)' under pressure of a weak market that they will take them. 
 At all times there is a profitable market in England, with at times exceptional 
 prices. You will, of course, hear that we cannot do business in England 
 with our poultry ; but you must look for the reasons behind such a statement. 
 Some people said that South Australian eggs were no good in London, but 
 we have proved what they can do. It was said that we could not export 
 eggs ; we have done that. It was said we could not sell honey in England, 
 but we have sold half a, million jars of it. 
 
 What Inducement ? 
 
 The South Australian farmers take less interest in poultry than is the case 
 in other countries. A very reasonable reply to this would be, " Why should 
 the farmers take any particular interest in poultry ? What inducement 
 is offered ? " The producers who collect eggs daily, keep a good strain of 
 fowls, and look after the nests have no advantages over their neighbors 
 who neglect to give even ordinary attention to the poultry. It is apparent 
 that eggs must necessarily arrive in Adelaide in a fresher condition when 
 collected daily and packed in a suitable case than if collected at irregular 
 intervals and packed in all sorts and conditions of " cocky " chaff, par- 
 ticularly in hot weather. After all, the existing system of collecting, packing, 
 and marketing is to blame more than the producer, and, given a little more 
 encouragement in the way of better prices for goods, I am convinced the 
 South Australian farmers will exercise the same intelligent interest in poultry 
 as they are doing in other branches of produce. 
 
10 
 
 Retrospective View of Marketing. 
 
 A retrospective view of the sj'stem of marketing will, I think, clearly show 
 that an alteration is desirable. In November, 1894, eggs were 3|d. per 
 dozen, less 5 per cent, in Adelaide ; good, stale, dirty, small, or large, all 
 one price, and at no period from September 4th to November 30th in that year 
 did the price exceed 4^-d. per dozen. With eggs at such prices one could 
 not wonder that " Poultry don't pay." It is evident that the supply was 
 far greater than the demand, and that an export trade was necessary. Even- 
 tually inter-State trade opened up, and prices accordingly advanced till, in 
 October and November, 1902-3, 8Jd. to 9|d. per dozen was obtained in 
 Adelaide. This state of affairs, however, did not continue very long. South 
 Australia's production was annually increasing, and the other States, in their 
 turn, were becoming more self-supporting. As evidence of this, in 1905 
 cogs were again as low as 5|d. per dozen at public auction in Adelaide under 
 the hammer. Under the circumstances further production in South Australia 
 Avould necessarily have meant still lower prices in Adelaide ; in short, the 
 poultry industry must break down with its own weight. 
 
 To those who thought the outlook was exceedingly black. — It is recognised 
 that South Australia is an ideal countr)- for the production of poultry ; that 
 it is an industry within the reach of all — rich and poor alike ; that in many 
 districts in South Australia during the bad season it was a means of exis- 
 tence for many farmers ; yet nothing \<&,% successfully done to find the all- 
 essential markets outside the limited demands of the Commonwealth of 
 Australia till in August, 1906, at a meeting of poultry people in Adelaide, 
 it was decided to form a deputation to wait upon the Minister of Agriculture 
 (the Hon. L. O'Loughlin), requesting the Government to take the matter up. 
 Recognising the importance of the industry to the State the Minister 
 at once decided to guarantee the freight on a shipment of eggs to London 
 in order to test the market there. The action of the Government was openly 
 criticised by many firms in the trade. Some wrote long letters to the d'lily 
 press condemning the proposal as useless on the grounds that it had already 
 been tried with disastrous results. Others affirmed the eggs would not 
 realise 5d. per dozen in London, also basing their opinions on their own 
 experience. Fortunately, however, for the future of the industry, the larger 
 number of producers and some merchants ignored the pessimistic warning, 
 and were prepai-ed to take their share in a risk that will always accompany 
 a new undertaking. Here I must name Mefsrs. Dalgety & Co., G. Willcox 
 and Co., M'ood, Son, & Co.. and Geo. A\'ills & Co. Accordingly the experi- 
 mental shipment was got away in the R.M.S. Britarniia on November 1st, 
 1906, and, after paying all charges, showed a net return to the shippers of 
 G{d. per dozen. An important point to be noted is that during the time 
 the eggs for this shipment were being sent into the depot the Adelaide price 
 was 6d. per dozen less the usual selling commission. 
 
11 
 
 Further Shipments. 
 
 In consequence of the successful issue of the experimental consignment 
 two further shipments were sent to London the following year, which 
 returned 7^d. per dozen to the shippers after deducting all charges. The 
 result of the three what I may term experimental shipments undoubtedly 
 proved that South Australian eggs could be successfully sold on the English 
 market, and consequently no further fears need be entertained in regard to 
 over-production for many years to come. Now the question arises, " Who is 
 to do the exporting ? " It must follow that the person who exports to Eng- 
 land, even though he gets a price that a few years ago would have been 
 considered excellent, will not do as well as the person who sits back and 
 takes the higher local price consequent upon a quantity being shipped outside 
 the Commonwealth. Some shippers complained the previous year, and 
 went so far as to call the export of eggs to London " a dismal failure " 
 because if they had kept their eggs here higher prices would have been 
 obtained. It evidently did not strike them that the fact of the large quantity 
 of eggs being sent right outside the Commonwealth was the cause of tlie 
 higher price locally. Last year, when I was in London, I cabled an offer 
 for 30,000 cases of eggs at a price that would have given a net return to the 
 shippers of 7d. per dozen. The offer was refused on the grounds that the 
 local price was 8d. per dozen. It is difficult to blame anyone in particular 
 for not shipping, but had the offer been accepted, and the Adelaide market 
 been relieved of 30,000 cases of eggs, I venture to assert the local price would 
 have been nearer Is. than 8d., and, in addition, about £30,000 outside capital 
 brought into the State. 
 
 About Egg Circles. 
 
 Another important feature is that eggs collected haphazard are no use 
 for shipment to London. It is evident without some organisation the export 
 of eggs to London cannot be continued — that means further production will 
 be unprofitable. Such, however, need not be the case if producers 
 generally will seize' the opportunity now offered to them. The Government 
 has again come to their assistance. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. 
 E. H. Coombe) authorised the formation of co-operative egg circles through- 
 out the State. The success or otherwise of the scheme now rests entirely 
 with the producers themselves. 
 
 I reiterate the following points for special consideration : — 
 
 L How very easily the inter-State market can be over-supplied, especially 
 when the production is yearly increasing in each State, and the 
 time is not far distant when at least two of the States will be self- 
 supporting ; with no other outlet it will probably mean eggs 3|d, 
 per dozen once again. 
 
12 
 
 2. In England tlie demand is increasing and supplies falling off. Official 
 
 figures show the shortage of supplies for last year to be 64,000,000 
 eggs. With this vast field open to us wc could increase our produc- 
 tion tenfold without fear of a glut. 
 
 3. Individual merchants or producers cannot successfully ship to England 
 
 or reasons already stated. Co-operation is essential, and when the 
 circle system is complete each circle will take its proportion of the 
 quantity to be shipped to England, thus preventing large quantity 
 of eggs being pickled and reappearing on the market in the winter 
 months. 
 i. Every case of eggs shipped to England means so much more outside 
 capital to the State. 
 
 Experiments Over. 
 Tlic experimental stage of shipping to England is over. \\'e know exactly 
 the class of package, packing, and temperature that is necessary, and tlic cost 
 of transit and other charges ; also just where we can place the eggs. Export 
 to England undoubtedly means that the local consumer will have to pay 
 higher prices for eggs than heretofore ; hence an incentive for a greater pro- 
 duction — the object to be attained. I am well aware this scheme has been 
 adversely criticised as unnecessary, unworkable, and so on. What new 
 undertaking ever did run smoothh' at first ? There is some satisfaction, 
 however, in the knowledge that the same gentlemen who to-day are loud in 
 their condemnations are the same who three years ago emphatically stated 
 it was not only unnecessary, but impossible to send eggs to England — 
 unnecessary because the inter-State markets could take all the eggs produced 
 in South Australia at satisfactory prices ; at that time eggs were 5|d. to 6d. 
 on the Adelaide market. Evidently the possibilities of further production 
 in the State never struck them. Some have said the Government has no 
 right to interfere in these matters. It is not within my right to express an 
 opinion in regard to any action the Government may take, but I think I am 
 quite justified in pointing this fact out, that for many years now the ma.jorit\- 
 of merchants in Adelaide and storekeepers in the country have not been 
 satisfied with the existing system of marketing eggs, and have on more than 
 one occasion endeavored to bring about an alteration, but without success. 
 
 Pounds, Shillings, and Pence in Poultry. 
 I have had a wide cxpeiicnce not only in this but in other countries in 
 lejiard to poultry production and marketing, and I am convinced production 
 of poultry in this State can be increased to a very great extent with a minimum 
 ol expense and trouble. All that is required is the incentive. The incentive 
 in most business propositions is £ s. d., and I think I liave shown that where 
 pioperly handled there is ,t s, d. in poultry. 
 
13 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 Mr. E. E. Craig — " Would it be advisable to send some of our best laying- 
 birds to the English competitions ? I heard from Major Norton that the}' 
 would be pleased to receive entries from South Australia." 
 
 Major Norton — " I do not sec any reason why you should not. It is all 
 an advertisement for the State. If we can establish laying records in England 
 so much the better." 
 
 Mr. Stacy — " Major Norton has been arguing against the freezing of eggs, 
 and yet he has told us that the Government put them into cold store and 
 ship them away. Will he kindly explain that ? " 
 
 Major Norton — " That is very easily answered. It is more a question for 
 Mr. Kinnear than for me. In the first place, it must be understood that no 
 new movement was ever a success straight away. This year we were baulked 
 from shipping to England on account of the high prices ruling. Nobody can 
 claim that the egg circle system is yet complete. In reference to the question 
 the position was that only a few circles had been formed at the time, and eggs 
 liad to be put into cold store. We did the same with the surplus as other 
 people do. It was due to the fact I have mentioned. Other countries took 
 years to get going, and you cannot expect South Australia to do all that in 
 three months. I think we have made very good advance." 
 
 Mr. Braund — " Are eggs sold according to grade in London ? " 
 
 Major Norton — " Yes ; they are sold per long hundred — 120. There are 
 three grades — 131bs. and ]41bs., ]5lbs. and 161bs., and 171bs. and 181bs." 
 
 FEEDING AND REAEING CHICKENS. 
 
 Mr. A. H. Padman contributed the following paper : — 
 
 This is a. subject that is dealt with so frequently by poultry writers that I 
 offer my experiences with some diffidence. There are probablv those present 
 who have raised many more chickens than I have, and who have handled 
 many breeds. My hatching records show approximately 4,000 chicks raised, 
 and spread over 10 years. I may say that almost all were with incubators, 
 and virtually confined to White Leghorns. I am much in favor of machine- 
 hatching. The ease in handling, opportunities for close observation, tame- 
 ness of chicks — lasting through life — freedom from lice, scaly leg, and 'con- 
 tagious diseases outweigh everything in favor of the machine. In up-to- 
 date yards I reckon " Biddy " is a thing of the past, except for odd clutches 
 out of the main hatching season. I therefore propose to confine myself to 
 the incubator-hatched stock and the producing of layers. In my opinion, 
 next to strain the care in feeding and attention given in the first few months 
 of u chick's life has a most important bearing on the productiveness or other- 
 wise of the stock. Without proper rearing the best pedigreed birds will fail. 
 
u 
 
 The hatching operations completed, the first thing to attend to is to destroy- 
 any and all deformed, weak, or sickly chickens. A good nurse is not required 
 dn poultrj'raising. 
 
 Things to Remember. 
 The system I now give may be considered too fiddling for big breeders, 
 but I hold that for anyone raising not more than 500 or GOO a year the mor- 
 tality returns will be less, and the vigor of stock greater than by any other 
 method. Brooders I will have none of. I look upon them as unnecessary 
 and, in the hands of some, as deathtraps. For the first three or four days, 
 according to the temperature of the weather, the new arrivals are kept in the 
 nurseries provided in the machines used by me. They are then placed in 
 colonies of about 25 in unheated boxes about 24in. by 15in. by 9in., having a 
 glass lid, sloping to admit the sun's I'ays and to throw the water oft' in the 
 event of unexpected showers. The box is provided with an adjustable shelf 
 at one end, about 9in. in width, padded on the under side (no " hanging " 
 strips). Tlie box is placed in a position of sunlight or warmth — according 
 to the vagaries of the weather. It is surprising the warmth generated in the 
 box, and ample ventilation is necessary to avoid sweating. A hole with .i 
 sliding door is made at one end, and after a day or two a small run, covered 
 with small-meshed netting, is placed in front, and the chicks allowed to run 
 in and out at will. This step must be taken in accordance with the weather. 
 On the floor of the box is placed a sugar bag covered a couple of inches deep 
 with coarse sand and litter, into which all dry food is placed ; and soon the 
 chicks are working hard for their living. If the nights are cold the boxes are 
 brought under cover. I have frequently placed three-day-old chicks outside 
 in these boxes, and never brought them in once. I hold that in this climate 
 artificial heat is unnecessary, especially for early-feathering breeds, and 
 robust youngsters will thrive amazingly under the treatment described. If 
 3'ou try the system it will surprise you how warm and contented the chicks 
 are. The squeaking chick is unknown. The youngsters are gradually 
 passed along into " wigwam " houses, with open runs attached, the box 
 being still used as a warmer. At three or four weeks nothing is necessary but 
 a box open on one side. Separating the sexes should be done as soon as the 
 cockerels show up. Cockerels have a way of getting most of the titbits. 
 
 Culling. 
 Chilling cannot he too severe, A weak or sickly bird patched up brings 
 trouble sooner or later. Keep the stock active and moving. Young birds 
 intended for layers cannot have too much exercise. Move the chicks fre- 
 quently into new quarters. Cleanliness saves a heap of trouble. When about 
 one month old the youngsters are lot out daily for an hour for a run on a lucerne 
 patch. They soon get to know their turn, and that it is necessary for them 
 to make the most of their opportunities. Obs(>rvation plays a great part in 
 
15 
 
 the successful raising of stock. The observant man can readily decide what 
 variation in treatment is required to push birds on. At four and a half to 
 five months the result of care becomes apparent. The pullets come into 
 shape, and the reward for care and labor is obtained. 
 
 Feeding. 
 
 For the first -1-8 hours no food is required. The first meal should be coarse 
 oatmeal or flaked oats. Brown bread dried in the oven and granulated is 
 also good. This feeding should be continued for the first week. I have 
 read authorities who state that it is necessary to teach incubator chicks to 
 drink by dipping their beaks in water ; but the chicks I am used to at three 
 days old know about as much as they will ever know. Give green feed from 
 the jump, cut small (soft grass for preference). Earthworms are given, and 
 provide much healthy exercise ; and many an amusing tussle takes place. 
 Do not use the prepared foods generally sold. I would rather use my own 
 mixture, and vary according to growth. Flaked oats, millet, canary seed, 
 and cracked wheat are used principally. Fine granulated charcoal, grit, 
 shell grit are always present in the litter. After the first week the quantity 
 of cracked wheat is increased, until at three weeks it forms the main staple. 
 
 Soft Food. 
 
 As to soft food, I have given small quantities after the first week, gradually 
 increasing the amount. It stretches the crop, and is quickly and easily 
 digested. Moderation is the great thing in feeding soft food. Green feed is 
 a most important, if not the most important, item of the chick's menu, and 
 it should be freely given — as much as they will eat. The rations are graduated 
 until at five or six weeks old the birds are on adult feeding, the only difierence 
 being the occasional use of hulled or rolled oats. Meat in the form of boiled 
 liver, minced, is given after the first week, beginning with infinitesimal quan- 
 tities and gradually increasing. Do not strain your capacity. Small colonies 
 do best. Fifty well-reared chicks will give much greater satisfaction and 
 more profit than 100 raised anyhow. If you are starting, start small and 
 work up. In poultry-keeping, as in other things, the man who attempts 
 great things before he has learned the rudiments is doomed to sure and certain 
 failure. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING (Second Session). 
 
 The Conference was presided over by Mr. E. H. Coombe, M.P. There 
 was again a large and interested attendance. 
 
16 
 
 Fortunate South Australia. 
 
 The Chairman, in opening the session, said — I am pleased to be here to 
 show m}' interest in tliis Conference and my sympatliies with the industries 
 which are concerned. I thinlc South Australia has been very fortunate in 
 many ways, and especially Avith the development of her rural industries. 
 She is fortunate in having conditions suitable for the production of sheep 
 and first-class wool, and fortunate in having men who are skilful in adapting 
 themselves to the conditions for the production of sheep and wool which 
 are not to be surpassed anywhere. Then, in the agricultural world she is 
 fortunate in having exceptionally good natural conditions for the production 
 of wheat ; fortunate in having had men like Professors Custance, Lowrie, and 
 Perkins to preach the gospel of superphosphates and thorough cultivation, 
 which, as a result, has revolutionised wheat-growing in South Australia, 
 South Australia is fortunate again in having intelligent farmers, than whom, 
 indeed, there are no more intelligent in all the world — men ready to accept 
 the gospel and put it into practice. South Australia, too, is fortunate in 
 that she has ideal conditions for the poultry and egg-producing industry — 
 conditions, again, which I believe are not surpassed anywhere. She is for- 
 tunate once more in having gentlemen who have put their souls into the 
 industry and have shown that it can be carried on very successfully indeed. 
 And, lastly. South Australia is fortunate in having people who will follow 
 the lines laid down by these expert gentlemen, and who therefore promise 
 to build up for this State a ver};- large industi-y in poultry-rearing and egg 
 production. 
 
 The Egg Circles. 
 
 I had the honor and pleasure last year of being in the department as Minister 
 of Agriculture, and of acting on the adA'ice of Major Norton and Mr. Laurie 
 in authorising the starting of the egg circles. That is an experiment in co- 
 operation in the production and marketing of eggs, and, so far, it has been 
 altogether successful. There is every probability of the movement extending 
 and being the means of building the industry up to very big proportions. 
 I hope to see the time when, instead of having such a large proportion of our 
 population in the metropolitan area, we shall see a much larger proportion 
 in the countiy, and many hundreds of people devoted to exploiting the 
 minor industries of tlie State, such as poidtry-rearing, egg production, dairying, 
 and matters of that kind, whicli in other parts of the world are the means 
 of giving a healthy, successful livelihood to thousands of people. Perhaps 
 the time is not yet quite ready in South Australia. We are y(>t a people 
 living in large areas, and I hope our intelligen(<> will enable us to make the 
 conditions as easy as possible, so tliat we shall, sooner than in the ordinary 
 course of things, have these small estates in the country, so that thousands 
 of people may devote their energies and intelligence to the production of 
 the smaller industries. To the men who are now markinj; the wav in these 
 
17 
 
 industries in wliicli we are at present concerned, tlie history of the State's 
 advancement, when it is written many years hence, must include a very 
 great tribute of praise for their having laid the foundations so well. (Applause.) 
 
 THE STRUCTURE OF THE EGG. 
 
 The Poultry Expert (Mr. D. P. Laurie) gave the following address, which 
 w&s illustrated by lantern slides, of the oviduct and a transverse section of 
 an egg showing the various structures. He said — 
 
 If a hen be dissected there will be found in each side of the backbone 
 two little bunches of immature eggs. These are the ovaries ; one remains 
 rudimentary and the other (usually that on the left side) will in time 
 become active and produce ripened yolks, as shown on the screen. Various 
 calculations have been made as to the number of ovules in a hen's ovary, 
 and although the usual estimate is 800, cases are on record of hens which 
 have laid 1,000 eggs. Roughly, the immature egg consists of the germ, 
 the yolk material, and the delicate membrane enclosing it ; these 
 are, in the ovar}'', included in the ovisac, which is connected with the 
 ovary by a thin tube termed the pedicle. If the hen under examination 
 is laying, these ovules will vary in size from a mature yolk of ordinary size 
 down to small ones whose size cannot be gauged by the unaided eye. As 
 soon as the yolk is ripe, or matured, and ready to be shed, or cast off by the 
 ovary, the ovisac, which has during distension become very thin at its greatest 
 diameter, bursts at a line called the stigma, and so releases the yolk. Attached 
 to the hen's intestines by various processes will be found a pinkish tube 
 which is the oviduct. One end, that nearest the ovary, is free, and is funnel- 
 shaped. The other end communicates with the cloaca at the vent. The 
 oviduct varies from 18in. in a small fowl to 24in. in a large one such as a 
 Black Orpington. Coincident with the rupture of the ovisac and the shedding 
 of its enclosed yolk the free funnel-shaped end of the oviduct rises and grasps 
 the yolk as it leaves its sac. When first received in the oviduct, and until 
 it has travelled about iin., there is no addition of albumin or white, but 
 at about that point secretion takes place, and seven or eight layers of white 
 or albumin, of different thicknesses and differing degrees of density, are 
 secreted by a set of glands and enclose the yolk. When this is finished the 
 inner skin — a very delicate, semi-transparent, membrane — is secreted and 
 envelopes both the white and its included yolk. A fresh set of glands now 
 secretes a much stronger membrane, which is the outer skin lining the shell 
 of the egg. Between these skins, and, as a rule, at the large end of the egg, 
 these membranes separate and form the air sac. Further down the oviduct 
 the egg receives its shell, which is secreted by other glands, The egg shell 
 is composed of lime, salts, &c., and is deposited in the form of prisma, 
 the formation allowing for numerous " pores," or minute openings, througl; 
 c 
 
18 
 
 the walls of the shell. In hens which lay eggs with tinted shells there are 
 other glands which discharge a pigment which colors the shells more or less. 
 Shortly after this the egg is extruded. The time occupied in the formation 
 and passage of the egg down the oviduct is, under normal conditions, about 
 18 hours. 
 
 Abnormal Eggs. 
 
 Double or Treble Yolked Eggs. — If the ovaries are unduly excited it may 
 happen that two or even three yolks mature and are shed simultaneously. 
 These become enveloped in albumin, then in the membranes, and finally 
 in the shell, which is of size proportionate to the contents. 
 
 Egg Within an Egg. — After the formation of an egg there may be a temporar}' 
 cessation of peristaltic action, and then, apparently, the egg may retrogress 
 and receive a further coating of albumin (enclosing the shell), and again an 
 outer enclosing shell is deposited. 
 
 Small eggs containing no yolk and only a little albumin are due to false 
 stimulation of the oviduct. No yolk is shed by the ovary, but the glands 
 in the duct secrete a quantity, generally small, of albumin, which is enclosed 
 in the membranes and a small rounded shell. 
 
 Shell-less or soft-shelled eggs are laid by hens which are overfat, have been 
 harried, have access to insufficient shell-forming material, or in cases where 
 inflammation of the oviduct affects the shell-making glands. 
 
 Rough-shelled eggs are due to inflamed conditions of the oviduct. 
 
 Yolks only are sometimes laid by a hen, and indicate that the whole of the 
 oviduct is inflamed. The case is then serious. 
 
 Soft-shelled eggs of various sizes joined together are due to inflammation, 
 as are similar abnormalities of different appearance. Most cases are due to 
 over-stimulation, and the hen should be fed sparingly with a view to stopping 
 egg production. 
 
 Structure op an Egg. 
 
 If we break an egg carefully into a cup so that the yolk is suspended or 
 floating in the white or albumin we can note the following circumstances : — 
 The yolk is rounded in appearance, and on its upper surface we can see a 
 small spot or ring about an eighth of an inch in diameter. This is the blasto- 
 derm or germ skin containing the germ vesicle. When it is known that 
 the egg is laid by an unmated hen it will of course be infertile. If, however, 
 such is not known definiteh', we can determine whether it be fertile or not 
 Ijy examination with the aid of a strong lens. In an infertile egg this little 
 disc or ring is whitish with a few irregular clear spots. In the fertile egg, 
 however, there is a clear centre, circular in shape, in which are very small 
 white spots. 
 
 Now let us examine the albumin and we are at once struck with the presence 
 at each side of the yolk of two whitish, thickened, twisted, cord-like bodies. 
 These are the ohalazse which apparently attach the yolk to the white. They 
 are often referred to as the " treaddle " or " tread," and have nothing to do 
 
19 
 
 with the question of fertility in any way. It was at one time thought that 
 they acted as balances and assisted to keep the blastoderm side of the yolk 
 always uppermost. :Some physiologists, however, declare that this is duo 
 to the fact that the lower part of the yolk is of greater specific gravity than 
 the upper portion. It may be noted that on examining the ovary of a hen, 
 when there are yolks of different sizes, the blastoderm or geim skin can be 
 plainly seen through the membranes of the ovisac. 
 
 If an egg be hard-boiled, say cooked for ten minutes, and when cold cut 
 across its long diameter the difierent layers of albumin can be separately 
 peeled off. Examination will show that the centre of the yolk is pear-shaped, 
 and consists of white yolk nearly half an inch across. This white yolk is 
 granular in form and is connected with the blastoderm by a narrow canal 
 or tube. The surrounding yolk is of several broad layers of yellow yolk 
 alternated with very narrow bands of white yolk. 
 
 After completion of the sexual act the sperm discharged by the male bird 
 is received into the cloaca and goes thence into the oviduct. The discharged 
 fluid, if microscopically examined, will be found to contain numerous small 
 snake-like, quick-moving bodies. These are the spermatozoa, or male cells, 
 and consist of a sharp head, a short neck, and a long tail. Owing to sexual 
 attracting forces these bodies now commence a rapid movement up the 
 oviduct, passing all pbstacles. Only one spermatozoon can complete or is 
 necessary for fertilisation, and immediately the fusion of a male germ with 
 the female germ takes place the ingress of all others is barred. Double 
 fertilisation cannot take place. Thus, if a fertilised yolk, that is a yolk 
 bearing a fertihsed germ, be met in the oviduct by a male germ no effect 
 is produced, but if an infertile germ-celled yolk be met fertilisation may be 
 completed. Fertilisation of some of the eggs in the ovaries will result. In 
 the case of the turkey all the eggs which are laid in one batch are fertilised 
 during several immediately consecutive services. As regards the sex of 
 the egg, many well-known scientific men have been at work for years making 
 the most exhaustive inquiries into the relationship and numbers of the chro- 
 mosomes. At any rate, it is certain that the sex of the egg of domestic 
 fowls is decided immediately upon fusion. It must be remembered that 
 the germ itself is minute and the question of sex even beyond our best micro- 
 scopes. Immediately after the fusion of the two cells, male and female, 
 the process of incubation, or rather the growth of the embryo, takes place. 
 After the fusion of the male and female cell into one, division into two takes 
 place, and each in turn divides ; so that by the time the egg is laid consider- 
 able structural alterations will be revealed on microscopic examination. 
 When the egg is laid multiplication of the cells ceases until the process of 
 incubation is resumed, either under the hen or in the incubator ; but the 
 sex does not alter — how can it ? 
 
 Referring again to the structure of the shell, with its numerous pores, 
 I must point out that the watery contents of the egg pass through these 
 
20 
 
 pores by evaporation. It is tlius that stale eggs become slack, and in time 
 the infertile egg, which will keep quite fresh for an extended period, gradually 
 dries out until only the solids remain. The analysis of an egg is as follows : — 
 
 Albuminoids. F:its. Al'inMi-il'; Water. 
 
 The white 16 30 1 53 = 100 
 
 The yolk 12 2 1.2 84.8 = 100 
 
 The shell constitutes about 11 per cent., the yolk 32 per cent., and the white 
 57 per cent, of the total weight of the egg. As previously shown, the process 
 of incubation is actually in progress at the time the egg is laid. It is known 
 that high temperatures such as are common in summer will cause partial 
 incubation of an egg. This practically means that the fertile egg is unreliable 
 as an article of commerce. The infertile egg contains no living germ and is 
 reliable, and poultry-keepers are urged to secure the production of such eggs 
 only for market purposes. They keep almost indefinitely if stored in a clean, 
 wholesome condition. Contact with strong-smelling substances affects the 
 flavor of eggs prejudicially. Contact with filth may result in organisms of 
 decay passing through the pores into the substance of the egg. 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 A Breeder asked — " What is the longest time it would be safe for a ' broody ' 
 to be allowed to sit on a fertile egg before a change took place ? " 
 
 Mr. Laurie — " I would advise you not to have a broody about at all if 
 you can help it, and then not have a fertile egg about either ; but six hours 
 would be quite long enough to spoil an egg. As a matter of fact, the question 
 reduces itself to this point, that an egg that is fertile is not reliable as a trade 
 egg. That is why we are so imperative in asking people to market only 
 infertiles. An ordinary hot day is quite enough in itself to spoil a fertile 
 egg-" 
 
 Mr. E. E. Craig said — " I have found it an excellent thing when storing 
 eggs in the coldest of weather to remove them, sometimes putting as manv 
 as 20 under a big hen for, say, 10 minutes a day, and I have found the very 
 best results, whereas if these eggs are left in a cupboard and receive no 
 warmth whatever the hatching result has been considerabl>- curtailed. We 
 tried that, following the fact that a hen which lays one egg in a nest c\-erv 
 day, thus building up a clutch, warms up the other eggs for a certain period 
 each day, and thus giving new vigor each time to' the germ.' 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson said — " We sometimes come across terms like this in the 
 course of poultry writings, ' Feed judiciously, and do not use much forcing 
 food.' Just what is meant bv that ? " 
 
 Mr. Laurie—" I will let you have a report of the feeding operations at the 
 Roseworthy .competition. Anything but what we give the birds there miglit 
 be called injudicious, and certainly if you follow the feeding at Roseworthy 
 you will not use forcing foods." 
 
21 
 
 EGG CIRCLES. 
 
 Mr. A. E. Kinnear (Organising Secretary) read the following paper on 
 ' Egg Circles " : — 
 
 Last night Major Norton (Trade Commissioner for South Australia) clearly 
 outlined the circumstances which led up to the establishment of egg circles 
 in this State. As this Conference will be of historical interest, it is necessary 
 to give the names of the people who were instrumental in bringing about the 
 establishment of the circles. For may years eggs were sold in South Australia 
 as eggs ; that is to say, the eggs which came in from Fowler's Bay, 
 for instance, three weeks old, gained as much money as eggs laid in a suburban 
 yard and handed into the market not more than two days old. The question 
 of freshness and quality did not count ; neither did size. This climate of oUrs 
 is wonderfully adapted to the production of eggs, and to people who looked 
 ahead it seemed wrong that the grand possibilities in egg-raising were being 
 checked because there was no incentive to the men who could produce superior 
 eggs. Moreover, the price some years ago was so low that it really did not 
 pay to gather eggs at all in the country ; and the condition of affairs became 
 such that the industry languished, and had no apparent future. 
 
 Steps to Progeess. 
 In 1905 the Government appointed a State Poultry Expert, and since that 
 time it has expended a considerable sum in erecting Government poultry 
 plants at Roseworthy and Kybybolite, besides establishing small hatching 
 centres in the country — the object being the distribution of good stock. Also, 
 in 1906, tht! Government financed the first big shipment of eggs to England, 
 and Major Norton was the man who was principally responsible in pushing the 
 business through. Previously a few small parcels had been sent, but the 
 business had not been attempted on a commercial basis. This experimental 
 bulk shipment was a pronounced success ; and since that time other large 
 consignments have been forwarded to the old country, and have proved — 
 all of them — that South Australian eggs, produced in our glut months, can 
 be landed in England in good marketable condition, and at times wh'-n the 
 market there is good, owing to the shortage of European supplies. 
 
 Doing Business with England. 
 The fact that our eggs can be successfully landed in England is the biggest 
 and most efficient buffer against low prices that could well be devised ; for 
 it is certain with eggs, as with other products, that the goods will be shipped 
 to the best paying market. We know that we can look for about 7d. to 8d. 
 per dozen net in London for our flush season's eggs ; and this being so, it is 
 certain that the prices in South Australia will not drop below that limit, for 
 the simple reason that when it is found that local markets will not absorb the 
 production at a payable figure the eggs will go to London, and so preserve 
 
2'i 
 
 and regulate the prices. Successive Governments , also have recognised the 
 importance of poultry-farming, and the press took up the matter. The 
 Government also conducted the holding of egg-laying competitions, and 
 altogether the State promotion has been most marked. The logical sequence 
 of this strong State assistance in educating the egg producers to the value 
 of keeping only the best strains of poultry is the finding of good markets. 
 There can be no better method of encouraging a man to do his best than 
 to give him a good monetary reward for his labor. That reward was 
 wanting under the old system, which gave all men the same money and paid 
 the same prices for all sorts of eggs, whether big or little. 
 
 Major Noeton's Work. 
 From time to time in South Australia we had heard about the wonderful 
 advances made in Denmark by the egg-producers there working under a 
 system of combination and co-operation. The latest figures show that there 
 are in Denmark 35,000 members of circles, and that they take out of England 
 every year for eggs supplied £1,500,000 sterling. The system under which 
 these people work was initiated by the Government of Denmark, which left 
 the management to the poultry-keepers themselves when successful organisa- 
 tion had been accomplished. It is just here that I again want to say some- 
 thing about Major Norton. While acting as Commercial Agent in England he 
 paid several visits to the Continent. Among other places he visited Denmark, 
 and viewed on the spot the working of the circle system. He was so impressed 
 with the benefits of co operation that he made an exhaustive report to his 
 Government, and on his return to South Australia some eight months ago he 
 immediately urged upon the Government the importance of establishing a 
 similar system in South Australia. At that time Mr. E. H. Coombe, M.P., 
 was Minister of Agriculture, and fortunately he was a strong and sympathetic 
 Minister. Major Norton strongly urged upon Mr. Coombe the importance of 
 the matter, and convinced the Minister, who in turn gained the consent of 
 Cabinet. The Poultry Expert (Mr. D. F. Laurie) had done a considerable 
 amount of pioneering work in the matter of lecturing throughout the country 
 on the benefits of the egg circles. On the recommendation of Major Norton 
 the Minister of Agriculture sent for me to draft a scheme and organise the 
 system. At the same time the Minister appointed the Poultry Expert to 
 continue to traverse the country and bring before the poultry people the 
 advantages of the system, to act as outside man in fact. As no one knew just 
 how the producers would accept the scheme the Minister instructed that the 
 Produce Department should liandle the eggs and provide the necessary staff. 
 
 Valuable Assistance. 
 And here I wish to say that Mr. C. P. Mc'Cann (tlu- Acting Manager) has 
 rendered valuable assistance to me in finding the best egg packers and graders. 
 
23 
 
 in apportioning the clerical work so that it should be efficiently and promptly 
 performed, and at all times his business Jsnowledge has been freely available 
 to me. Mr. McCann has been of the utmost assistance throughout. 
 
 Beginning the Egg Circles. 
 Operations were begun in August, 1909, when the usual storm of contro- 
 versy appeared in the newspapers. Every new departure meets with hostile 
 criticism, and the egg circles were no exception to the rule. Opposition and 
 criticism were expected ; but we did not get so much as was anticipated. 
 All sorts of arguments were raised, however. 
 
 (1) Immediate failure was confidently predicted. It was said the pro- 
 ducers were too prosperous, too scattered, and too apathetic to take any 
 interest in the matter, besides being satisfied with the then private system 
 of egg collection. 
 
 (2) One of the chief charges was that the egg circle system wag an inter- 
 ference with private enterprise. 
 
 (3) Another was that it was a socialistic venture. 
 
 (4) And still another that it was a waste of taxpayers' money. 
 
 (5) It was also said that the merchants and manufacturers would not pay 
 more for graded eggs. But I may say that several of the Adelaide merchants 
 were glad the Government had taken hold of the matter, because it is public 
 information that in years gone by several meetings were held by Adelaide 
 traders in the attempt to place the egg trade on a better footing. All these 
 meetings proved abortive, however, and I challenge contradiction in saying 
 that practically every house in Adelaide that handled eggs lost money. For 
 this reason there was no organised opposition to the circle scheme. True, 
 we had to encounter the opposition of one or two houses, but on the whole 
 there was no organised attempt to stop us. 
 
 Dealing with the Charges. 
 Going back to the charges raised, I will deal with them seriatim : — 
 
 (1) Immediate failure, &c. The reply is that in seven months we have 
 formed 32 circles, with a membership of about 700 people, and the interest in 
 the country is increasing, for in almost every circle we have added to the 
 numbers of members. 
 
 (2) Interference with private enterprise. The reply is simple. This private 
 enterprise began and ended with two or three Adelaide merchants who were 
 giving as much money for big, fresh-laid eggs as for those a fortnight old and 
 smaller. This was the private enterprise which it was said the circle system 
 would upset. All the time, out on the land, there were hundreds of producers 
 who were getting just as much as these merchants chose to give them, and 
 the industry was languishing for this very reason. There was no incentive 
 for any egg-producer to keep good stock and produce good eggs. They were 
 
24 
 
 all reduced to one dead level. They all got the same price. Working on the 
 basis of the greatest good to the greatest number, it seemed eminently sound 
 and just that the producers should be considered as against the mere handful 
 of men in the city who did not produce the eggs. 
 
 (3) That it was a socialistic venture. Once again the reply is simple. 
 There are many explanations of the word " socialism," but in this regard it may 
 safely be taken to mean the suppression of individual effort. The real fact 
 is that the old system was the worst form of socialism. It pulled all men down 
 to the one common level — all making the same money. On the other hand, 
 the circle system instantly set out to encourage egg-producers to do their 
 best, and the reward was prompt to the good man, who received a financial 
 return straightway, while the tired type, who under the old system ranked 
 equal to the enterprising man, had to alter his waj's or was expelled from the 
 circle. In this country State aid is most marked. We lend money to mining 
 companies to develop their properties. We subsidise institutes so that 
 books may be purchased for the education of the public. We subsidise 
 shows so that the- best cattle and other stock may be produced. We provide 
 every child with a fi'ee education, believing that an educated citizen is a good 
 asset to the country. I could go on enumerating other instances of State 
 socialism ; but those given suffice to show that in financing the egg circles 
 movement for the first year the Government did not establish any precedent. 
 
 Movement Welcomed. 
 
 Further, the traders in Melbourne and Sydney have told me personally — 
 not one or two, but numbers of them — that they are glad the Government 
 took up the matter, as in the old days the eggs from Adelaide were landed 
 in the eastern markets in a shocking condition ; and, as one of the biggest 
 men in New South Wales put it to me, " We have been looking for this sort 
 of tiling for some time. Give me a scratch of the Government pen and I am 
 satisfied tliat the eggs are all right." A leading manufacturer of Adelaide 
 recently made the same statement in the Adelaide press, and I deliberately 
 say that the egg circle movement was welcomed by all users of eggs for the 
 simple reason that they were given bettor eggs to put in their cakes and pastry ; 
 and of course the consumer also benefited by being sure that ho was eating 
 better food. 
 
 Pew of the Dipfictlties. 
 
 (4) That it ims a waste of taxpayers' moncij. In my opinion, if it costs 
 the State £1,000 to place the egg industry on a sound business footing the 
 money will be well spent. Heaps of money has been wasted in the past on 
 all sorts of ventures which had not in them the same sorm for good as these 
 egg circles. Just here I want to briefly point out a few of the difficulties 
 that we mot with in the establishment of the system. The scheme was 
 accepted at onco. Tlio first thing was to got together an efficient staff of 
 
55 
 
 packers and graders. As the venture was new, and no one knew how it would 
 go, none of the good men in private employ would come out. We had to 
 take all sorts and conditions of men in order to make a start. Wc had to 
 educate several hundred circle members to the necessity for gathering their 
 eggs every day, stamping them properly, and giving them to us with the 
 bloom on. We had to fight the opposition of a firm who had had the control 
 of affairs for many years. In the office we had to pile on the egg system 
 to the clerks in the department who already had plenty to do. We had to 
 find markets for eggs against considerable opposition. We had to learn 
 everything. There was nobody to go to for information. We were attempt- 
 ing to improve on the old system, and we were working against difficulties 
 in every direction. We made mistakes and had to pay for them ; but I am 
 glad to-night to be able to say that nearly all tke difficulties have been met 
 and surmounted ; that to-day the best packers in private houses — men 
 who have been in the one employ for as much as 15 years — are willing to 
 come to us ; and before long we should have the luggest and most efficient 
 staff in Australia for the handling of eggs. 
 
 General Support. 
 
 Private houses which weie against us at the beginning are now willing 
 to work with us. Manufacturers and traders in the other States are now 
 looking for our eggs, and we are thoroughly established on the eastern markets. 
 Circle members are, generally speaking, making a better price through tlie 
 circles than they can make anywhere else in the same district. Several of 
 them are doubling their flocks, and the way is clear for practically unlimited 
 expansion of this very important egg industry. We have replaced stagnation 
 with a system full of vigor and financial possibilities. We are giving the 
 consumer better value for his money. AVe are advertising the State, and 
 I say that if it costs £1,000 sterling to do these things it will be money well 
 spent. But I have handled this business all along, and am satisfied that the 
 operations will end satisfactorily. 
 
 Graded Eggs. 
 
 (5) As to buyers paying more jor graded eggs. The answer is that they 
 are doing so ; that the circle-stamped eggs are in strong demand at enhanced 
 prices. For obvious reasons I do not give the number of eggs handled. 
 We are not yet out of the region of opposition, and as we do not make the 
 market price at present it would be folly to give away any particulars to our 
 opponents. No private house would say how it was placed, and it should 
 not be expected of us. But at next year's Conference — which no doubt will 
 be held — we should be in such an unassailable position as to publish every 
 figure and detail connected with the business. 
 
26 
 
 The Future. 
 
 In a iew months we have altered the whole condition of afiairs connected 
 with the egg industry, but there are three things still to be done in order that 
 the business may be thorouglily established and everything provided for so 
 that the large expansion which we expect shall be conducted along the right 
 lines to give egg-producers the utmost value for their productions. They 
 arc — • 
 
 Inebrtile Eggs. 
 
 Every }-ear complaints come from the eastern .States about the eggs which 
 arrive from Adelaide, and it is a common thing to hear that from 30 per cent, 
 to 50 per cent, of the eggs in a consignment have been rejected as rotten. 
 These complaints all come through in the hot weather ; and when it is recalled 
 that the eggs laid on the farm are taken once a week to the storekeeper, who 
 in turn sends them to the Adelaide houses, whence they are shipped, it is 
 reasonable to believe that the complaints are well founded, insomuch as that 
 the eggs must be quite three weeks old when they are opened out in Sydney. 
 There is a simple way out of the difficulty, namely, to produce infertile eggs, 
 which — having no life in them — cannot go bad, but can only slowly evaporate 
 their contents. The infertile egg is the market egg, and is the egg I am trying 
 to induce all circle members to send forward. 
 
 Get Rid of the Roosters. 
 There are thousands of roosters scattered about the farms in the country, 
 iuid so far as circle members are concerned I am in communication with 
 them Avith the object of inducing them to send all the male birds to the Pro- 
 duce Depot at Port Adelaide for sale. To wipe out all the roosters Avill take 
 time, but the drafts from the country have already begun to come in, so that 
 there is reason to belieAc that in due course we shall have all the male birds 
 cleared out. In order to maintain the flocks on the farm it will be necessary only 
 to keep three or four good stud roosters, who will easily produce 2,000 chickens 
 in a year. These stud birds will, of course, be confined, and the hens, freed 
 from the importunities of scores of loose cockerels about the place, will lay 
 better ; and if 20 of the best hens are picked out and bred with the stud 
 roosters the production of eggs will materially inci-ease. In general experience 
 the best way to appeal to a man is through his pocket ; and as we ha\-e taken 
 care to ship quantities of infertile eggs to the other States, their benefits are 
 known, and by and by, as we are able to make more money for infertiles, we 
 shall be alile to pay a better price to those circle members who produce them. 
 If this does not bring about the production o[ the infertile egg nothing will. 
 
 Breeding Centres. 
 To consummate-, the system, in my opinion, it will be nccessaiy to have 
 breeding pens of first-class stock attached to each circle in the country. With 
 
27 
 
 a littie management arrangements could be made to purchase layers of the 
 best strain, and the advantages of circle members being able to acquire 
 high class stock at a nominal figure will be enormous, insomuch as the 
 production per hen would increase to a very great extent. Laying is very 
 largely a matter of strain — it is not a matter of breed at all — and if wc are 
 able to distriljute thousands of first-class layers in the country the production 
 of eggs in South Australia will experience a huge expansion. These things 
 will take time. Wc have been onl\- a few montlis at work, but in due course 
 every improvement that human intelligence can devise will be made. 
 
 Up-to-Date Appliaxces. 
 It will be necessary also to import from the old world the best appliances 
 that money can buy. We shall need at the central depots automatic instru- 
 ments for the tcstin,^- and grading of eggs. In all trades the matter of handling 
 is a big consideration. When we secure the best machinery whereby we can 
 test at the best speed and a cheap rate then we shall make a strong advance. 
 It is our ambition to go on working until everything connected «ith this 
 egg circle system is on such a high plane that instead of Denmark being 
 the i-ountry to which all eyes are turned it shall be South Australia which 
 will occupy that position ; and the most jjerfect system can bo brought 
 about only by the whole-hearted and loysd support of the circle members. 
 
 Conclusion. 
 Whvn (lie pamphlet regarding the doings of this Conference is issued the 
 rules and regulations which I drafted for the conduct of the circles will be found 
 attached to this paper, and that is the reason why I have not gone into detail 
 to-night. One thing, however, may be said. The Government, in view 
 of the importance of the matter, undertook to find the funds for the purchase 
 of eggs during the first year. This payment of cash on the spot is at the 
 bottom of the whole system ; for were we not able to pay the member instantly 
 upon delivei-y of the eggs I feel sure that the scheme would have had onh- 
 half-hearted support. The money for the payment of members will be 
 advanced for the first }-ear free of interest. At the end of the year a report 
 and balance-sheet will be presented to the Government, and according to the 
 original determination it is intended that so soon as the successful organisa- 
 tion shall have been accomplished a board of management will be appointed 
 and a scheme devised whereby the producers themselves will find the money 
 and handle their own business. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that 
 the Government should stand behind the systeni in the way of testing, grading, 
 and passing the circle eggs for export. This Government hall-mark must 
 be the foundation of a successful business. On all sides we are told that 
 the old system allowed thousands of dozens of rotten eggs to be shipped 
 from Port Adelaide to the detriment of South Australia. And it cannot 
 
28 
 
 be too plainly said that if the circle sj'stem is to have a successful future all 
 the eggs must pass through the Produce Depot at Port Adelaide and receive 
 the seal of the Government authorities ; otherwise it will be no good to 
 go on with the matter at all. In shipping it is appropriate that the producers 
 should use the Government Depot. It is their business house, built with their 
 own money, and it stands at Port Adelaide to-day to do the business of the 
 community. It is common knowledge that the Government developed the 
 lamb export trade. The same might be said of other lines of produce. The 
 Government found markets and developed trade through the people's Produce 
 Department. 
 
 EC.G CIRCLES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA (HEN ECJ(;S ONLY RECEIVED). 
 
 Reoulations. 
 
 L Each circle to ton.-jist of not less than 15 members. 
 
 2. A committee of three and an auditor shall be elected by the members to hold office 
 for one year, and to be eligible for re-election. 
 
 .3. The committee shall elect a secretary from among the members of the circle, and 
 the secretary shall have a deliberative vote in the affairs of the committee, and remain in 
 office so long as he may give satisfaction to the committee. The committee shall also 
 elect a chairman, 
 
 4, The secretary shall also act as treasurer, 
 
 5, The chairman shall have a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote, 
 
 G, The secretary shall receive the eggs from the members, and test, pack, and forward 
 to the Government Produce Depot, Port Adelaide, or city depot, as may be arranged. 
 Accounts for freight to be forwarded to Organising Secretary for payment. 
 
 7. The secretary shall be paid by the Adelaide office for his services at the rate of Jd. 
 per dozen on all eggs passed by the Government tester, 
 
 8. Suitable cases, to be branded with the name of the circle, will be lent by the Govern- 
 ment free of cost for the first year, 
 
 9. Each member shall gather eggs every day and deliver to the secretary not less than 
 once per week during winter months, and twice per week in the summer. Eggs must be 
 stamped by members on large end. 
 
 10. Members must deliver to the secretary all eggs produced with the exception of those 
 required for household and breeding purposes. 
 
 11. Each member shall deposit the sum of 5s. with the local secretary as a guarantee 
 of bona fides. Such deposits to be paid into the circle's bank. 
 
 12. An}' member may resign membership upon giving a reason which is satisfactory to 
 the committee. In these cases the deposit of 5s. will be refunded. As it is ^■itally im- 
 portant that the circle should not be broken, any member leaving through indifference 
 or lack of interest shall forfeit the deposit of 5s. 
 
 1.3. Upon deli\ery of eggs, the secretary shall pay cash to lull local value. Local 
 value will be Adelaide market rate, less expenses of getting eggs to Adelaide. Price to 
 be pxid will be advised to each circle by the Organising Secretary. 
 
 l-t. Should there be any profits they will be distributed among the members. 
 
 15. In order to allow for payment to members on delivery of eggs during period of 
 organisation the Government will make arrangements to pi-ovidc funds free of interest 
 for each circle, 
 
 ) (). Once a week, oi- oftcner when necessary, on days to be named by the Organising 
 Secretary, the secretary of each circle shall forward egsTs to the Produce Depot, Port 
 Adelaide, or city depot, as may be arranged. 
 
 17. Immediately the organisation is complete, ad\anccK, free of interest, and tlie free 
 loan of egg cases shall cease. 
 
 18. Each member will be supplied with a rubber Hlamp. ink pad, and egg book, (lie 
 stamp to bear the number of member and numlier of circle, thus " n 
 
 19. Dirty or stale eggs will not lie received by (he secretary. Any member who delivers 
 
29 
 
 dirty or stale eggs shall be warned on the first offence, for the second offence will be fined 
 Is., for the third 4s., and on a repetition of the offence will be expelled. Fines to be 
 deducted from deposit. In this matter the circle committee's decision shall be final. 
 
 20. Once in every year the circle committee shall call a meeting of members. At this 
 meeting a report and balance-sheet must be produced, new committee elected, and any 
 other business transacted. Members may have a special meeting called at any time by 
 requisition to the committee signed by nine members. 
 
 21. The circle committee shall meet as often as may be necessary, but not less than 
 once u, month. 
 
 22. Each circle shall be registered on the books of the department, and in his dealings 
 the Organising Secretary shall communicate with the secretary of the circle. A list of 
 members shall be supplied by the circle secretary to the Organising Secretary, and altera- 
 tions on account of deaths, resignations, or fresh members shall be promptly advised by 
 the circle secretary. 
 
 23. The secretary of each circle shall keep the necessary books to clearly show the 
 dcilings with each member, the business with the depot, and the deliberations of the 
 committee. To secure uniformity, all books and material will be supplied by the Govern- 
 ment at cost price. 
 
 24. Carriage on broken eggs shall be distributed pro rata among the members. With 
 the specially-constructed oases the percentage should be small. The Organising Secretary 
 shall adWse the local secretary of all bad, cracked, or broken eggs, giving the number- 
 stamped on the bad ones. 
 
 Whenever necessary, at a special general meeting, the members may make further 
 rules for the government of the circle, such amendments to be confirmed by the Minister 
 of Agriculture before being put into operation. 
 
 T/i' above re'iiiPitions, with the exception of Xo.i. (i, 9, 10, and 19, may he altered to suit 
 local conditions. 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 Mr. Craig — '■ I would like to say that I appreciate very much the efforts 
 of those responsible for egg circles. Especially are we indebted to Major 
 Norton for introducing this splendid system. If it came from Denmark 
 it has certainly got into the hands of capable men here. It will accomplish 
 a very great deal for the poultry industry of South Australia, and of the 
 Commonwealth, in fact, for the other States are now beginning to follow 
 our example I believe." 
 
 Mr. G. von Bertouch— " As secretary of one of the country egg circles I 
 want to say a few words in praise of Mr. Kinnear's splendid work. He is 
 doing pioneer work in South Australia for the poultry industry, and as a 
 secretary I know he is a splendid man to work under. There is not a detail 
 that misses him. There is not the smallest flaw or error that may occui' 
 that he does not see, and anything that needs rectifying he does it in a very 
 tactful and gentlemanly manner, and I only wish that all the secretaries 
 of all egg circles would do their level best to support him and make their 
 circles in every district a success." (Applause.) 
 
 Question—" Do the people who do not join the egg circles benefit by the 
 circles sending away eggs and getting 7d. or 8d. in England ? " 
 
 Mr. Kinnear— " Certainly. If eggs are shipped away to England they 
 lift the prices of the eggs left here. People who are not in the circles must, 
 of course, benefit because of the short market created locally by export ; 
 
30 
 
 but they will not make the same amount as men in the circles. You ought 
 to get into a circle ; but you see how they do the whole industry good in any 
 case. , If there is a glut here you do not get a price for your produce. If 
 the circles, or anybody for that matter, send a big bite off to the London 
 market they fetch there 9d., say, and what are left here fetch, say, 7d. instead 
 of 5d. — 9d. one place and 7d. here ; that's 8d. for the lot. Is no, that 
 better than a glut at 5d. ? Join a circle, and get in both locally an d with 
 export." 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson — " I am not a member of any of the circles, but I happen to 
 take advantage of the prices the circle eggs bring. We sell a great many eggs 
 privately, and as nearly as possible we grade, them hj separating all the large 
 from the small eggs. Well, Mrs. Tomlinson always charges the circle prices 
 for the large eggs." (Laughter). 
 
 Mr. Cooke — " I can strongly support Mr. Kinnear in some of his statements. 
 Let me tell you one little story in illustration. I know this is positive fact. 
 I am not in any way connected with the egg trade, but a friend of mine has 
 had the packing and forwarding of eggs to a private city firm from a Peninsula 
 centre. When he sent his lots to Adelaide it was quite usual to have claims 
 made against him for breakages. Well, on one occasion he happened to come 
 over the gulf by the same boat that was bringing a consignment of his eggs. 
 He watched those crates all the way and saw that they received absolutely 
 no rough usage. He followed them on to the wharf at the Port and saw an 
 agent for the c-ity firm straightway re-address them to Western Australia. 
 They were not even examined, but sent on direct. Next thing my friend 
 received the invariable claim for breakages, although the firm absolutely 
 had not seen one of the eggs to ascertain their condition. That is all fact, 
 but I think the employi?s of some of those city produce houses could tell 
 a pretty talc or two if they cared." 
 
 FEEDING OF TABLE POULTRY PROM SHELL TO TABLE. 
 
 Mr. V. Kapplcr read the following paper : — 
 
 I am dealing with this subject on the basis of artificial rearing. To 
 profitably handle table poultry they must be raised in large numbers, for the 
 gain per head is not great ; and while it is easy to get good results from a few- 
 setting hens, the incubator and brooder are fa,r more reliable and satisfactory 
 where numbers are concerned. Incubators hatch the vigorous chicks. The 
 weak- ones die in the shell. H(^ns often crush the first fi>w chicks, which are 
 usually the strongest, and faithfully hatch the weaklings. Artiiicial incuba- 
 tion can be lesoited to at any time. Birds. placed on the market before 
 Christmas are worth <'onsiderably more than those marketed aftei'. This 
 means June, .July, and August hatcliinns, and during these months it is 
 
31 
 
 impossible to get any large number of ' broodies." Leave the hatched 
 fliicks in the incubator drawer to dry and gain strength. Usually 12 hours 
 is sufficient. Then move them into the brooder — already heated to about 
 90°. The brooder should be well ventilated, and the floor covered with 
 half an inch of perfectly dry, clean, sharp sand. I have seen chaff and woollen 
 material used, the idea being that something soft and warm is required. 
 Chaff is often inclined to sweat, and the birds soon scuff it into heaps and 
 then rest on the bare, hard brooder floor. Woollen material fouls quickly, 
 and is not at all a satisfactory bedding for young chicks. Sand not only 
 provides a soft, warm bedding, but the droppings arc absorbed, and the young 
 birds learn to pick up and fill their crops with the larger gritty particles of 
 the sand. They thus have a chance of turning their first feeds to better 
 account than has the chick whose first hours arc spent on so unnatural an 
 article to them as flannel or moist chaff. 
 
 Food. 
 
 For the first 24 hours or so no food should be given to the chicks. They 
 were sufficiently provided for when they left tlie egg to last out twice this 
 period. Their main requirements are rest and warmth. Having passed the 
 first day or two on the sand they may now be given clean water in shallow 
 vessels. The water should have the chill off. After a while a little food 
 should be spread on some stiff paper in front of them. A'ery little will be 
 consumed in the first feed or two ; and after some 15 to 20 minutes remove 
 what food is uneaten, and also the water tins. As the birds grow older the 
 number of feeds is gradually reduced. Several special chick foods are on the 
 market. Probably the most satisfactory food, however, will be found in 
 flaked oats which are being prepared for human consumption, and are sound, 
 of the best quality, and the chicks relish and thrive on them. A little chaffed 
 lucerne or barley, or a cabbage or lettuce leaf should be given to the chicks 
 when a few days old. Green feed is essential to health, and is necessary if 
 fair profit is looked for. As the birds grow older gradually reduce the tem- 
 perature of the brooder, until at the end of the third week, in winter even, 
 no artificial heat is wanted. The birds should now have cracked grain instead 
 of flaked oats ; but not until tliey are a month old should bran and pollard 
 be made their whole food. A meal of it now and agnin, particularly in the 
 morning, will not hurt. 
 
 Housing. 
 
 At a month old the birds should be moved from the brooder and placed in 
 a dry, warm house, with the yard protected from the wind — if a frussed yard 
 so much the better. The food should now consist of one-third lo one-half 
 green feed, a little bran, and the balance fine pollard. A little meat or green 
 bone three times a week will be a big help, and if mixed with milk so much 
 the better. Wlien the sexes are to be distinguished tl^e birds should be 
 
32 
 
 drafted into lots of 25, kept apart, and perches provided. The meat ratibnS 
 should be increased, and appetites stimulated in every way. Frequently 
 change the food, giving boiled barley or wheat at different times of the day, 
 and placing an earthenware vessel of thick milk at their disposal. It is 
 advisable to give them any available meat and plenty of green stuff, in addi- 
 tion to the ordinary meal allowance-. The birds should now be fast develop- 
 ing into fair-sized pluiiip chickens, and at 12 or 14 weeks one should think 
 of topping them off for killing. For the local markets the odor of lucerne 
 and the reddy appearance that meat gives to poultry do not matter, but for 
 private trade or export it is desirable to offer only prime white-fleshed birds, 
 untainted by any strong odor. Therefore, during the last two or three weeks 
 discontinue the lucerne and meat, and give instead every other day about 
 lib. of mutton tallow to every 30 birds. Mix this in their bran and pollard 
 rations, which should now be mixed to the constituency of thickened cream. 
 They will consume and digest more. The short time that they are on the 
 sloppy food prevents any internal troubles. 
 
 Rapidity op Maturing. 
 The great point in the successful handling of table poultry is the rapidity 
 in maturing birds right from the shell. The birds must show a substantial 
 gain every week, and it pays to use only the best food. The birds should 
 be bred from big, vigorous, and mature birds of the quick-growing breeds, 
 such as Orpington, Wyandotte, Dorking, pure, or Game crossed. The 
 incubator room should be handy to the brooder-house, and this should not 
 be far from the chick runs. One run should open into another. The houses 
 should be at least 6ft. by 6ft. on the ground space, 4ft. to 6ft. high in front, 
 and partly open. The back should be low enough to allow for a fair fall and 
 the cleaning of the house part. The house should, of course, be movable. 
 For the bigger birds an automatic watering system is an asset. 
 
 The Duckling. 
 Up to four or five days old the duckling can be subjected to the same treat- 
 ment as the chicken. After this age it rapidly becomes independent, and, 
 instead of making for the warmth, camps around in little clusters. They 
 should then be kept in a well-lighted shed on a sand floor with a litter of 
 straw, and should the nights promise to be cold, confine them in a corner and 
 cover them with a, sack. This huddling is rarely necessary after the second 
 week. If the ducks are hatched in the wintei- I find it a good plan to give 
 from 18 to 20 to a hen. AVhilst the ducklings are willing to bo mothered by 
 the hen for a few days, they soon find that they can do without the wai-mth 
 she offeis, which is usually at the end of the second week ; and most hens 
 have no objection to these birds being removed and a younger lot substituted, 
 particularly if 1-he shifting is done at night. The water and feed vessels 
 
33 
 
 should be placed as far apart as the pen permits. Tlie water-tins should be 
 deep enough for the head to be submerged, but covered sufficiently to prevent 
 wading. The food should consist of crumbly mash, half-chaffed green feed, 
 a sprinkling of bran, and the balance pollard. Into this can be worked a 
 little fine grit two or three times a week. A trace of mutton tallow or a little 
 meat can also be added. Probably five feeds could be easily managed by 
 them now, providing the first was as soon as possible after daybreak and the 
 last just at dusk. Following this last feed a fair quantity of green stuff- 
 should be provided to last through the night. 
 
 Shade from the Sun. 
 
 Ducklings must be shaded from the sun. Like most birds, they like the 
 bright sunshine, but the effect is disastrous. After a few minutes in the sun 
 the birds begin to lose control of themselves. Suddenly a healthy bird sways 
 and topples over, while another commences to circle around. Death usually 
 follows within a short time. If noticed in time, plunge the ducklings into 
 cold water. A few partially recover, but they never seem to thrive as they 
 should do, presenting a lifeless and groggy appearance. The cause of the 
 trouble probably is that the warmth of the sun overheats the blood of the 
 birds and affects the brain. After five weeks old occasional sunnings do not 
 hurt them, but at all times provide plenty of shade. The same trouble is 
 likely to occur if the duckling is left too long without liquid and then allowed 
 to have cold water. This happens mostly in the mornings, when the previous 
 evening's supply has not lasted sufficiently far into the night. At from three 
 weeks to a month old the ducks should be drafted into lots of 10, putting the 
 same sized birds . together. In large numbers ducklings, particularly the 
 Pekin variety, are very timid. Often for no reason thej^ will scamper around 
 all night, causing many birds to be maimed. At this stage the meat and 
 tallow allowance may be doubled, and after the fifth week the water should 
 be given only at meal times. A good plan is to give the birds water before 
 starting to mix their feed. They then have sufficient time to clean them- 
 selves and have a drink, and are therefore able to devote their attentions 
 thereafter solely to the mash, with an occasional swill. With water and 
 food placed before them at the same time the food is apt to be neglected and 
 trodden on. 
 
 At Eight Weeks. 
 
 At eight weeks the green feed and meat should be discontinued, and only 
 mutton tallow added— rat the rate of lib. for 40 birds every other day. At 
 this stage perhaps it is advisable to scald all the bran, and eveij then not 
 using more than one part to four of pollard, Early in the season, while the 
 weather is cooler, even less bran than this may be profitably used. On the 
 approach of summer the birds often refuse the food which contains but little 
 bran. The ducklings begin to jnature at nine wgeks, and as soon as theij 
 
34 
 
 wing feathers are developed pass tliem out. With proper treatment at 10 
 weeks the birds, or the greatest portion of them, should be in a marketable 
 condition. Once they are in their prime dispose of them without a day's 
 delay, because in a short while the pin feathers develop and cause the birds 
 to lose condition. 
 
 Pin Feathers. 
 
 To the dresser the pin feathers are a worry, and no matter how carefully 
 the work is done the bird is more or less disfigured. This is undesirable, 
 especially for export. Stock birds should be of Pekin or Aylesbury breeding. 
 Select large two-year-old ducks and mate them to a young drake. The duck- 
 house should be of sufficient width to allow of a row of runs on either side of 
 a sufficiently wide passage which will facilitate cleaning. These runs should 
 be, say, 6ft. by 6ft. within the shed, and a similar space outside, where the 
 birds ma}' be allowed on cloudy and overcast days. Sufficient ventilation 
 must be provided, and the floor high enough to prevent dampness rising. 
 The greatest need of a table poultry man is a big supply of green feed. Lucerne 
 stands out from all others, and another splendid food is Jersey kale, which 
 grows quickly, and will often tide over between the barley and the lucerne 
 crops. Cabbage, silver beet, and maize are also useful food, while rape should 
 not be overlooked, particularly for ducklings. Watch cleanliness and over- 
 crowding. From the producer's point of view the local markets are satis- 
 factory up to the end of the year. 
 
 Shipments to London. 
 
 Possibly the ofTers for chicks are good well into January, but after that 
 the bottom falls out of the demand, and unless the export trade is fostered 
 and placed on a good footing the table poultry raiser will find he has worked 
 hard for little reward. Many egg and poultry farms are springing up in the 
 State, and unfortunately our breeders have been slow to take advantage of 
 the shipments to London made each year. I have shipped for the last four 
 seasons, and am quite satisfied that the returns arc greater than the ruling 
 values in the local market. 
 
 Questions. 
 
 Mr. Ladyman-Smitli — " What do you mean by thick milk for the ducks ? 
 Do you make it artificially thick ? " 
 
 Mr. Kappler— " No ; let it go naturally thick. It doesn't matter if it is 
 naturally sour. I think Mr. Laurie would support me that sour, thick milk 
 is not harmful." 
 
 Mr. Ladyman-Smith— " Do you give it with the other food, or alone 1 " 
 
 Mr. Kappler—" I feed it alone. It does not spoil the taste of the other 
 food if taken by itself." 
 
VOTE OF THANKS. 
 
 Mr. A. Ferguson—" I wish to propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Coombe for his 
 presidency to-night. He has taken very great interest in the industry, and 
 has proved in his late position as Minister of Agriculture that he was one of 
 the greatest friends the producers could have." 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson — " I second that motion very cordially. While on my feet 
 I would like to add a word regarding feeding for market. I do not know 
 whether anybody here has tried the self-feeding hopper. It is an American 
 notion, very much in vogue there. I got a pattern from an advertisement, 
 and have found it a first-class idea. I think very hkely that if we had a 
 properly-compounded grain ration with meat we could fatten even the White 
 Leghorn through this hopper for table purposes." 
 
 The motion was heartily carried. 
 
 THIRD SESSION (April 20th . 
 
 There was again a large attendance at the Brookman Hall on Wednesday 
 evening. The chairman was Mr. T. A. Caterer. 
 
 Mr. Caterer said — " I wish to thank my old colleagues of the Poultry and 
 Kennel Club for their courtesy in asking me to be chairman to-night. I have 
 been through the mill of the poultry business in times past, and I wish to 
 congratulate the Poultry and Kennel Club in keeping before it what I, as 
 president, always fought for — the utility side. While the main object of the 
 club must be in the direction of showing, yet there has always been a strong 
 move on the part of its members to keep before them the utility aspect. I 
 am sure that that will be very much appreciated. 
 
 SCIENTIFIC BREEDING. 
 
 The Poultry Expert (Mr. D. F. Laurie) gave an address on this subject. He 
 said — 
 
 This is one of the most important subjects that can claim the attention 
 of the poultry-breeder. People often come to my office, or write to me, 
 asking, " How is it that So-and-so's birds are such wonderful layers ? My 
 fowls do not lay like tht. They do not put up 250 eggs a year. They do not 
 lay 80." My reply has always been that the man who has hens laying 250 
 eggs a year uses his brains, and does not do things by rule of thumb. He 
 proceeds on ascertained Unes, on a definite policy, and has to work a number 
 of years to arrive at his results. The haphazard breeder will always be in 
 the rear — and deserves to be. The scientific breeding of fowls is a very old 
 study. When I left school my mother gave me a copy of Darwin's " Origin 
 of Species," and evolution has been a part of my study for very many years. 
 
36 
 
 It is admitted on all hands to be one of the most important parts of the 
 business of breeding. Anybod}^ can feed good fowls, but it is not everybody 
 who can breed them. 
 
 Interest in the Subject. 
 i I was told many years ago that the subject of scientific breeding was too 
 dry, but I have found quite the contrary. I have lectured for 10 or 12 years 
 at the School of Mines, Adelaide, and for 10 years scientific breeding has been 
 in the curriculum. It has been one of the most interesting subjects to students 
 whom I have addressed. On the part of breeders, too, I have found a keen 
 and growing interest for scientific information. Breeders are thinking more, 
 and the poultry press has assisted in educating them to think for themselves. 
 Letters I have in my office are sufficiently convincing that it is a topic of very 
 great interest to the average breeder. During the last few years the whole 
 subject of breeding has undergone a very great alteration. Scientific men 
 have worked on new lines, because 10 or 12 years ago we thought we knew 
 everything, but did not, and anything that was not explained could not be 
 explained. My object is to tell people what to do with their fowls, assuming 
 that they have already good stock, and I must emphasise here that they must 
 keep such fowls only. 
 
 South Australian Breeders. 
 
 Our South Australian breeders have turned out some marvellous fowls, 
 especially the White Leghorns, and the records we have achieved have startled 
 the Americans. The Americans are jealous of South Australia's reputation, 
 and it seems to suggest that they think we are poaching on their preserves of 
 boasting. But the South Australian records have been accepted as facts in 
 American official circles. 
 
 Maine Experimental Station. 
 You have all heard of the Maine Experimental Station. It is one of the 
 oldest in the world. For over 25 years, under first-class men, experiments 
 have been conducted in all branches of the poultry industry. A biometrical 
 investigation was made into the experimental records of the Maine Station, 
 but the conclusions arrived at in their pamphlet are not in accord with facts 
 ascertained in South Australia as regards the general average increase of 
 production due to scientific breeding and careful selection. The scientific 
 breeder takes advantage of individual fowls, and progresses forward from 
 tliem. The method adopted at the Maine Station is practicallv opposite to 
 those adopted by breeders of private establishments and om- leading breeders 
 here. At the Maine Station they work with flocks of from 100 to 500 pullets 
 of various matings. They claim that they do not breed from hens which lay 
 less than 160 eggs in one year, and that they do not use cock birds unless they 
 iire Ihe progeny of hens laying an equal-number of eggs. The poultry experts 
 
37 
 
 to the Maine Station admit there has been no attempt at pedigree recording. 
 That is a rather peculiar admission for scientific men to make, because it is 
 one of the greatest importance. 
 
 Selection. 
 Our breeders are showing what selection and careful breeding can do. I wish 
 to emphasise the fact that the average production of the flocks of hens as 
 represented in our laying competitions is far greater than the average produc- 
 tion of private flocks. The laying competitions have proved that careful 
 breeding will result in a greatly increased yield. The Maine authorities 
 15 or 16 years ago published an extensive pamphlet proving conclusively that 
 the good work of that station has resulted in the increase average production 
 of farmers' eggs from 60 to 70 to 130 per hen. Where you select remember 
 that the most important points in that connection are type, constitution, 
 vigor, and general character. Take those few points as headhnes, and work 
 steadily to the ideal. Of course, you must feed and house well. If you 
 adopt that policy you must inevitably increase your average egg production. 
 
 Line-breeding. 
 
 Among poultry-breeders I think the veteran, Mr. I. K. Felch, of Massa- 
 chusetts, U.S.A., has done more for scientific breeding of poultry than anyone. 
 As the author of the system of " line-breeding," Mr. Felch has placed within 
 the reach of all breeders definite instructions in this method, which is often 
 confounded with in-breeding. Line-breeding properly carried out has proved 
 of the greatest value, while in-breeding, as it is generally understood, is 
 promiscuous, consanguineous mating without selection, and naturally the 
 results are disastrous. Not only in poultry-breeding, but in regard to other 
 animals, the modern tendency is to establish strains or families, and the 
 mistaken ideas prevalent on the subject of crossing and the introduction of 
 new blood account for many failures. Much that has been written about the 
 balancing effects due to crossing must be reconsidered in the light of modern 
 investigations. Most breeders forget, or perhaps never knew, of Darwin's 
 remarks on the crossing of alien families and the resulting tendency to revert 
 to lost characteristics — not lost, however, in modern phraseology : only 
 recessive or latent. 
 
 New Blood. 
 
 Many people think it necessary to introduce new blood every year. They 
 say it means vigor, but the introduction of new blood does not necessarily 
 result in introducing vigor, because you might introduce a worthless mongrel. 
 Darwin's law leads one to say, " Do not introduce new blood." The farmers 
 say, " Nonsense ; you must." 
 
88 
 
 Some Experiences. 
 
 But I will quote the experiences of the Angas and Murray families. I anl 
 fairly familiar with the breeding of many of the Angas cattle, and, I think, 
 until the last three or four years there has not been any introduction of fresh 
 blood among the Herefords and Shorthorns ; and still the progeny is able to 
 more than able to hold its own at Melbourne and Sydney shows. I believe 
 it has been authoritatively stated that the Murray sheep have never had new 
 blood since the grandfather of the present Murrays first started a flock 50 or 
 60 years ago. " Courtier,'' one of the most noted bulls of the United Kingdom 
 at the present time, has the blood of one particular bull no fewer than 25 times 
 in the pedigree of both his parents, and yet he is everything that a bull should 
 be. Mr. Wyckoff, the famous American breeder of White Leghorns, reports 
 that experience with his fowls. Experience long ago taught many of the most 
 successful poultry-breeders that the direct introduction of fresh blood — a 
 raw out-cross — is invariably attended with disaster. Mr. Felch's method 
 clearly shows how type, purity, and other desired characteristics can be 
 maintained without loss of vigor ; and a modification also permits of the 
 introduction of fresh blood if deemed through any circumstances absolutely 
 necessary. I am, of course, referring to the breeding of pure-bred poultry of 
 undoubted pedigree. The mongrel is not worthy of consideration. 
 
 Purity of Pedigree. 
 
 The basis of all breeding is first to be assured of purity and pedigree. Then 
 the following points should be considered : — Constitution and stamina, type 
 and character, including the utility points it is intended to preserve or im- 
 prove. Line-breeding is really a course of selective breeding within a certain 
 chosen line of blood, chief regard being had to the points enumerated. 
 When I say that we should be quite assured as to purity of breeding I mean 
 that we should know the accurate pedigree of the birds, and reject any that 
 are known to have had alien blood in their composition, except under condi- 
 tions referred to in Mendelian experiment. Mr. Felch did not specify that 
 the male and female lines at commencement should be of the same blood, 
 although that is the safer course to adopt. In the case of line-breeding a 
 strain of laying fowls, where it is desired to retain certain characteristics — nnd 
 above all the laying powers — we may either begin with blood already proved to 
 be as required, or we may select the first male from a laying strain and mate to 
 females of a strain of similar layers ; and yet this often causes poor layers in 
 the progeny. There can be no doubt whatever that with domestic poultry 
 the methods of breeding and housing adopted are of great importance, for by 
 the adoption of the modern system of housing and feeding, as at the Rose- 
 worthy Station <ind in many private breeders' yards, we can ensure the best 
 
39 
 
 conditions obtainable for birds in confinement, and birds running as in nature 
 cannot be relied upon for commercial success. Mr. Felch's chart, as issued 
 by him, is as follows : — 
 
 . - FullLines^ 
 Male 3lood 
 
 Dotted Lines 
 Tcmalc Mood. 
 
 An Explanation. 
 In explanation I would point out that where possible birds under 12 months 
 old should not be used for breeding, particularly on the female side ; in fact, 
 
40 
 
 where egg production is the chief end, all pullets should be tested for egg 
 production, constitution, &c., for a year, or the results 'may be negatived. 
 Taking the starting lines, male and female, and which Way consist of a male 
 and several females of exactly the same parentage or of a male and single 
 female, we inat6 th^m', with the result that the progeny will contain half the 
 bli^od of each. In reading the chart every dotted line signifies a female 
 and a full line a male bird. The junction of two such lines is indicated 
 by a circle within which is a " group " number, and outside that circle is a 
 fraction denoting the proportion of the blood of either parent. The central 
 vertical line of groups 2, 6, 10, 15 each contain half the blood of each parent 
 and are practically identical in composition. The groups 4, 7, 11, 12, 16, 17 
 contain a preponderance in given proportions of the blood of the original 
 sire ; while groups 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14 contain a preponderance of blood of the 
 original female. 
 
 Ma TINGS. 
 
 The first union, as shown, resulted in the progeny having the blood of those 
 parents in equal proportions. The second year the original female is bred 
 to a cockerel from group 2 and a pullet, or pullets, from, group 2 are mated 
 with the original male. These unions produce groups 3 and 4, containing 
 respectively three-quarters of the blood of the original female and one-quarter 
 of the blood of the original male, and three-quarters of the blood of the original 
 male and one-quarter of the blood of the original female. I must again re- 
 mark that numbers must be bred for selecting from, and that all must be 
 well fed and housed to ensure the most favorable conditions. The third year 
 a cockerel from group 3 is mated with the original hen to produce group 5, 
 and pullets from group 4 to the original male to produce group 7, all of which 
 have seven-eighths of the blood on their own side. Special attention is called 
 to another mating this year — the union of groups 3 and 4, producing group 
 C, which shows the male and female lines in equal proportion. AVe also 
 mate groups 5 and 7 and produce in group 10 a strain with both lines of blood 
 in equal proportions. Had we mated brother and sister of group 2 to produce 
 group 6, and again from group 6 to produce group 10, we should have kept 
 the same proportions, but at the risk of deg(>neracy. In the next generation 
 group 15 is produced from groups 9 and 11, and can also be produced from 
 groups 8 and 12. At the generation of whi<'h group 10 is the centre we have 
 now three lines of blood. The centre group possesses equal blood on both 
 sides, while groups 8 and 12 possess thirteen-sixteenths of the female and 
 male blood respectively. We can, by this method, build up cockerel and 
 pullet lines on either side as we may wish. Should a cross be needed it must 
 be woi-ked out separately and blended in after it is proved, the method 
 adopted being that devised by Mr. Felch, as shown. The main principle 
 involved in this scheme of breeding is to concentnite the blood or strain, 
 
41 
 
 and by the knowledge gained of its breeding characteristics gradually to 
 eliminate undersirable features. Where crossing is resorted to promiscuously 
 no definite results can be forecasted. 
 
 Galton's Law. 
 Galton's law of ancestral inheritance may now claim attention. Galton 
 was knighted recently for his brilliant work. The diagram is an ingenious 
 one, but, like Felch's, it has its limitations. Galton's law was that the indi- 
 vidual has two parents. Each parent contributes half of his blood. That 
 individual has four grandparents, each of whom contribute a quarter. He 
 has 16 great grandparents, each of whom contribute a sixteenth. This takes 
 you back to four generations. All the previous generations added together 
 make a contribution of one-sixteenth — that makes the whole. A prepotent 
 male or female bird often stamps 90 pci' cent, of its progeny with outward or 
 even hidden characteristics. 
 
 Law of Segregation. 
 Mendel discovered what is known as his "law of segregation." This 
 discovery will probably rank as the most scientific event in the nineteenth 
 century ; for, although at prefent the man in the street and the average 
 breeder may not gain much, the elucidation of many apparent m3'sterics 
 is now possible, and those breeders who avail themselves of the knowledge 
 to be acquired by study and research in Mendelism can in many directions 
 gain desired results with certainty, and in a short period compared with former 
 methods. In describing experiments it is usual to denote the parents as 
 Pi, the grandparents as P-', and the hybrids of a first cross as Fi (first filial 
 generation) ; succeeding generations are number F2, F3, and so on. 
 Dominant characters are shown as D, recessives as R, impure dominants 
 [D]. Mendel's own experiments were made with garden edible peas. He 
 crossed tall and dwarf-growing varieties. He selected some and investigated 
 the inheritance of each character. On sowing the hybrid or crossed seed 
 he found that all the resulting plants were of a tall variety, and for this reason 
 adopted the terms " dominant " and " recessive," which he applied to tlie 
 tall and dwarf varieties respectively. On sowing the seeds produced by these 
 tall hybrids he found that both tall and dwarf plants resulted, and that there 
 were no intermediate-sized plants. One experiment showed 787 tall and 
 277 dwarf plants in a total of 1,064 — the ratio being as three to one in the 
 second generation. But he found on sowing the seeds raised from the tall 
 and dwarfs of the second generation (F'^) that the seeds from the dwarf peas 
 produced all dwarfs, while the seeds from the tall plants produced some tall 
 and some dwarf, thus proving that all the tall peaB of F2 were not pure domi- 
 nant — some were, and some produced both tall and dwarf in the proportion 
 of one pure tall to two car?:ying both tall and dwarf characters. In further 
 
42 
 
 experiments Mendel found that the pure dominants bred pure and the pure 
 recessives also. R. C. Punnett, in " Mendelism " (1907), says — " We are 
 now in a position to make a general scheme to show the result of crossing 
 individuals which each bear one of a pair of differentiating characters. If 
 we denote the pure dominant by D, the impure dominant (which cannot be 
 distinguished in appearance from the last) by [D], and the recessive by R 
 we may construct the following scheme of inheritances : — 
 
 D + R 
 
 m F. 
 
 1) [DJ [D] K F, 
 
 1) D [DJ [D] R D [D] [DJ R R.... F, 
 
 Andalusians and Puee Steain. 
 Punnett says further (" Mendelism," 1907, p. 29)— " The White Leghorn 
 breed of poultry is characterised by its pure white plumage. In this case 
 white plumage is dominant to colored, but the dominance is not quite perfect. 
 When a White and a Brown Leghorn are crossed together all the resulting 
 offspring are white, but almost invariably have a few colored feathers. Such 
 birds give off an equal number of gametes bearing the white and colored 
 characters." This is easily tested by breeding them together. Breeders 
 have long recognised the difficulty of obtaining a pure strain of the Andalusian 
 variety. No matter how carefully the blues are selected they always throw 
 wasters of two sorts^some pure black and others a peculiar white with black 
 splashes. Careful breeding shows that on the average one half of the off- 
 spring of a pen of blue Andalusians come blue, one quarter black, and one 
 quarter splashed white. These proportions at once suggest that the blues 
 are heterozygotes ; for we have already seen that the breeding of heteroz}'- 
 gotes together results in one half of the total offspring coming heterozygotes. 
 If this is so, it follows that the blacks and splashed whites are by nature 
 homozygous, and consequently ought to breed true. Experiment has shown 
 that such is actually the case. Further, we should be led to expect heterozy- 
 gous offspring from a union of the two homozygotes. Hero again the ex- 
 perimental results accord with the theory. When splashed black and white 
 are bred together all the offspring without exception are blue. Paradoxical 
 as it may sound, the mating together of the black and the white wasters 
 gives a proportion of Blue Andalusians twice as great as the mating of blue 
 
with blue. The black and the white splashed are really the pure breeds. The 
 pure Blue Andalusian is, and from its nature ever must be, a mongrel. The 
 breeding chart shows — 
 
 Blue X Blue 
 
 i ~ 1^' ^ I I 
 
 Black Blue x Blue White splashed 
 
 I I I I 
 
 Black Blue Blue White 
 Black White splashed 
 
 Blue 
 
 Local Experiments. 
 This case has long been known to most breeders as really the reason why 
 Andalusians lack popularity. You cannot convince novices that blue is a 
 hybrid color — a midway between black and whit-e. Breeders have many 
 times shown me letters full of abuse about the color of chickens resulting 
 from mating of first-class show Andalusians. To offer to sell a novice a 
 pen of black and splashed birds as breeders would, of course, lead to trouble. 
 Take my own experiments in crossing White Leghorn cock with a Black 
 Orpington hen. The white of the Leghorn is dominant if the white male 
 bird be used ; but it is not so if the sexes be reversed. Many people think 
 that because all the chickens come white they will stay white when bred 
 together, but that is nbt so. F-2 will show white, and black and white, and 
 black. Pure blacks will breed black ; impure blacks will breed black and 
 white. This latter may appear to you to be up in the air. It has its practical 
 application. Crossing a White Leghorn cock with a Black Orpington hen has 
 already practical value in South Australia ; they are our two standard breeds. 
 Some people like to keep both the light and the heavy breed. The progeny 
 of this cross are white-plumaged and have white legs, as demanded for export 
 to England. I have a letter from Professor Bateson, of the Cambridge 
 University, in which he says that the experiments I carried out the year 
 before last at Rose worthy were most interesting. " It is rather surprising," 
 he says, " that these results — referring to a Black Orpington cock and AVhite 
 Leghorn hen — should differ so materially from that of the reciprocal mating. 
 Perhaps some individual peculiarity of the parent was the cause. I should 
 be glad to hear results of the repetition of that experiment." 
 
 t 
 
 Reciprocal Matings. 
 
 I repeated those experiments this year. We had two or three pens of 
 
 reciprocal matings and used exactly the same blood. The result was that 
 
u 
 
 the White Leghorn cock and Black Orpington hens produced all chickens 
 of white plumage and white legs. In the case of the Black Orpington cock 
 and the White Leghorn hen some of the progeny were black ; all had more 
 or less black in plumage, and all had black legs. The great point about 
 Mendel's law is the recognition of the unit character — that is, the purity of 
 the germ cell. If new btood is introduced the inevitable result would be 
 reversion and manifestation of the true import of Mendel's law of segrega- 
 tion. 
 
 Do Not Ruin a Good Fowl. 
 
 I wish to say a word regarding the development of certain breeds for egg 
 production. If you endeavor to make our beautiful Orpington compete 
 with layers like the White Leghorn you are ruining a good fowl. Orpingtons 
 and Wyandottes are all-round fowls. To develop them for purely egg- 
 producing is to sacrifice their value as table birds. We were very lucky in getting 
 the Orpington. Look at the enormous popularity the breed has attained 
 in America, because it is known as a good all-round fowl. I have not heard 
 of an American anxious to spoil that fowl ; on the contrary, the breed in 
 America is being standardised like the Barred Eock was. 
 
 The lecture was illustrated with numerous large charts of Felch's " Line 
 Breeding," Galton's " Law of Ancestral Inheritance," and numerous details 
 of ", Mendel's Law." A list of known dominant and recessive characteristics 
 was also exhibited. In concluding, the lecturer stated that the time at his 
 disposal only permitted a brief explanation of this attractive science. 
 
 EGG CIRCLES IN THE COUNTRY. 
 
 Mr. G. von Bertouch, secretary No. 3 egg circle, Tanunda, read a paper 
 on this subject. He said — • 
 
 I will treat the subject matter of my paper under the following heads : — 
 L Their effect upon the country egg- producer. 
 
 2. Contingent requirements of the members of the country egg circles. 
 
 3. How to meet those requirements. 
 
 4. Affiliated local co-operative bodies State controlled. 
 
 Absolute Freshness Demanded. 
 
 First, with all due respect for the great work acco]nplished by the organising 
 secretary and others since the inception of the egg circles, I consider it is 
 rather a stiff hurdle to jump straight away with so short a run of six months' 
 practical working for inc to say a great deal about their effect up to date 
 upon the country producer, and naturally I will have to treat the matter 
 more in a retrospective light. The outstanding feature which protrudes 
 itself and constantly makes its presence felt like ;i sore thumb against which 
 the ciicle members are daily bninping up is that in the eggs supplied by them 
 
45 
 
 the quality of absolute freshness is demanded — not only now and again, but 
 every time, from'every member of each circle, for every day of the calendar. 
 Quality is the foundation upon which we are establishing and must maintain 
 our success — " Quality" our watchword always. Never before have such good 
 cash prices for eggs been paid in country districts relatively with the ruling 
 Adelaide market rates, and the farmers arc now gradually opening their 
 eyes to the fact that the credit of this belongs to the co-operative egg circles. 
 
 Better Prices. 
 Even now other buyers in country districts arc compelled to give better 
 local value for eggs in order to retain their custom. It is only a question 
 of time and the hearty co-operation of the producers themselves for all of 
 them to participate in the •benefits which will accrue to them as members 
 of an egg circle. The satisfactory prices paid to date and the confidence 
 engendered through our business-like system is causing many a one to increase 
 his stock of poultry on the farm. I am constantly being asked to supply 
 pullets, which, however, I regret not being able to do. I could readily have 
 sold a thousand. I have been asked to extend my collecting round in all 
 directions, but I recognise there is a limit to the capable, profitable working 
 of the district with the present means at my disposal. There is many a farmer 
 outside the circle who prefers to wait before joining to hear of periodical 
 profits being divided among the members fro rata. They overlook the 
 fact that the better cash price realised weekly by the member so far is in itself 
 a very substantial profit, and that in the successful establishment of a large 
 business enterprise of this nature the first call upon the actual net profits 
 must be reserved and utilised for the future development and expansion 
 of the industry in order to cope promptly with all contingencies as they arise 
 and so as not to curtail the effective working of the original capital involved. 
 The deductions made for bad eggs are having a very salutary efiect on the 
 members. I find that small flocks of about from 40 to 60 head of poultry 
 are giving a relatively better weekly cash income to their owners than the 
 owners of farms are making from flocks of a few hundred head of poultry 
 of all ages and breeds running at large. I also note, too, a steady effort to 
 improve the quality of poultry stocked in the country districts. There is 
 no getting away from the fact that the first possible distribution of a share 
 of the profits between the members will do more than anything else towards 
 increasing circles and their membership. 
 
 Young Cockerels. 
 
 In regard to the second portion of my paper, first and foremost in order 
 
 to facilitate the production of large numbers of absolutely reliable infertile 
 
 eggs early provision is most urgently needed to effect a profitable and ready 
 
 sale of all young cockerels upon some properly organised co-operative lines, 
 
46 
 
 These infertile eggs will become largely available when the members are sure 
 of a means of disposal at all seasons of the year of the cockerels, other than 
 upon the local auction marts, where many — myself included — have had the 
 sad experience of having goods of indisputable quality seldom realising the 
 prices quoted in the dailies. I know several who refused to send their poultry 
 to the Adelaide markets for that reason, and the fact greatly retards the 
 breeding of table poultry in the country. 
 
 Co-operative Egg and Poultry Market. 
 
 It calls for the establishment of a co-operative egg and poultry market 
 in the immediate future. In the Government Produce Depot we have the 
 necessary machinery ; that is to say, capable business men and a suitable 
 plant for profitably handling the local sale and export trade of all the cockerels 
 and other poultry grown on members' farms. I propose that circle secretaries 
 be given authority to purchase these cockerels and all other poultry from 
 the members for cash at a graduated scale of prices, regulated according 
 to age and season, at so much per pound live weight. Every member to 
 be supplied with a sales record book similar to that used for eggs (to be supplied 
 at actual cost), with leg bands all stamped with his distinctive number and 
 the number of the circle. No birds to be accepted by the secretary without 
 such leg bands having been previously personally fixed by the member ; 
 the secretary to furnish a report with ever}' consignment, showing number 
 of birds of each grade and the cash prices paid. Entries also to appear in 
 sales record book. Further, a fair supply of collapsible poultry coops to 
 ensure prompt return of empties and to minimise cost of freight. 
 
 Breeding Stations. 
 
 A few centrally situated co-operative breeding stations will be wanted 
 to supply the members Avith fertile eggs or young pullets to replace the two- 
 year-old nondescript stock with birds of good laying strain breeding, and 
 constitution at rates within the reach of all. These breeding stations could 
 wherever possible be run in conjunction with a country egg circle's depot, 
 and managed by a circle secretary subject to central control. Assistants 
 and pupils could be trained, and when proficient could manage other circles. 
 Such trained assistants would then be available to fill any vacancy occurring 
 in any circle. Early in August last I canvassed 40 odd farmers around 
 Tanunda to ascertain the number of fowls kept and the egg production. 
 I found about 1,500 head of poultry producing in that particular week less 
 than half as many eggs as I have obtained in the same week from 135 Leghorn 
 pullets. The possibilities of the industry so impressed me that I left a good 
 position I had held for seven years in order to devote the whole of my time 
 to the industry, 
 
47 
 
 Inspectors. 
 1 am of opinion that a few experienced breeders are needed as inspec- 
 tors and practical instructors to advise on the spot re building proper 
 yards, houses, culling and feeding chickens, and general instructions. The 
 fattening of surplus cockerels and dressing them for market is another depart- 
 ment needing consideration. The questions which crop up are, " Where 
 would it be best to fatten these, and why not at some special fattening plant 
 near Adelaide instead of upon each member's farm by the member himself ? " 
 We shall assume that there are no breeders' pens on these farms, the member 
 having given his order either for fertile eggs or chicks at the beginning of 
 the season at the co-operative station for his particular district, and having 
 hatched his chickens or received them at a day, week, or month old as the 
 case might be. I consider the cockerels would grow best and at least cost 
 out on the run of the member's farm up to say 12 weeks old. If left much 
 longer they would on the average farm rapidly lose their primest condition, 
 develop into long-legged scraggy objects, and even after nearly two months' 
 extra feeding be of no better value than if bought at 12 weeks. They would 
 crowd the pullets and check their gradual development, and they would 
 begin to fertihse the eggs. 
 
 Fattening Station. 
 By establishing a poultry fattening station the circle secretary will know 
 from what members he can draw from time to time for his supply of cockerels 
 at 12 weeks of age. Their forwarding to a fattening depot when so young 
 would effect a considerable saving of freight and cost of food. The actual 
 cost of feeding to any certain weight can be also more certainly ascertained 
 at the depot. Definite contracts could be made for regular supply of fine 
 fattened poultry, even in size, weight, and quality to large hotel caterers, 
 hospitals, restaurants, inter-State and outward bound steamers, and for 
 export purposes. The best locality for a fattening depot would be near 
 Dry Creek Railway Station, either at the old lamb-killing works or the old 
 smelting works, because both enjoy railway facilities. This site is readily 
 approachable by road fiom Adelaide and the Port, the north-eastern district, 
 and all the Lower North out towards Salisbury, Bolivar, Virginia, Mallala, 
 Wasleys, Roseworthy, Gawler, and the Barossa district generally. 
 
 Loss ON Bad Eggs. 
 Another matter requiring attention is how best to secure economy in con- 
 nection with the loss on bad eggs. Some stringent enactments are required 
 to cleanse the plague of these bad eggs. I believe the estimate to be well 
 within the mark of a loss to the State through these bad eggs alone of from 
 £50,000 to £60,000 a year. Who can calculate the loss on food fed to 
 thousands of head of poultry long past the profitable age, or the loss on dead 
 poultry consigned to market in all manner of unsuitable coops, and the loss 
 
48 
 
 from deficient housing and under feeding ? These losses must amount to 
 thousands of pounds yearly. They could be considerably minimised by 
 competent poultry inspectors periodically visiting farms in their allotted 
 districts. On the question of how to meet the requirements of country 
 egg-producers I am strongly of opinion that they would be met by the forma 
 tion of affiliated local co-operative bodies State controlled. 
 
 Complete Sblf-Government. 
 Progress can be facilitated if complete self-government is accorded the 
 local co-operative bodies acting under the guidance of a central organisation. 
 To those who argue that the State is interfering too much with private enter- 
 prise, I ask, would the individual effort of private enterprise develop any 
 industry to the fullest extent possible with the object of the greatest good 
 to the greatest number ? No. The best way in which the poultry breeders 
 and producers of South Australia can thank Major Norton for his splendid 
 achievements and battles won on our behalf in the oversea markets is by each 
 of us doing our fair share of duty here, by supplying him without fail with 
 thousands of cases of eggs and thousands of choice fattened poultry. It. 
 is recognised that the Poultry Expert cannot be everywhere, and as he has 
 more than enough to do already I think two inspectors are needed to give 
 practical instruction in the north and south. I suggest we should meet 
 annually, say in June, in conference with Mr. Kinnear. 
 
 THE SINGLE-COMBED BLACK ORPINGTON. 
 
 Mr. F. C. Lampe read the following paper : — 
 This popular breed is of comparatively recent origin, and owes its birth to a 
 remarkable cause. Some 25 or 30 years ago the bitter opposition of a powerful 
 cli(jue of poultry fanciers and judges in England wiped out the old Croad type 
 of Langshan — probably one of the best fowls the world has ever seen — and 
 substituted in its place the long-legged, ungainly bird still seen on the show 
 bench. That astute breeder, Mr. Cook, of Orpington, Kent, with wonder- 
 ful foresight, realising the superior merits of the discarded bird, stepped in 
 and practically appropriated the Croad type for a new breed — the so-called 
 Black Orpington. The breed originated by him was pushed with great 
 energy. By the time the founders of the long-legged type of Langshan 
 awoke to the utter uselessness of their bird from a commercial stand- 
 point it was too late to reclaim the old Croad type. The latter differed 
 so little from the breed originated and popularised by Mr. Cook as Black 
 Orpingtons that it would have been useless to attempt to make a division 
 between them. Sucli difference as did exist was strongly in favor of the 
 Black Orpington, by reason of its clean legs and more perfect contour. 
 
49 
 
 Pounding the Orpington. 
 The method adopted by Mr. Cook in founding the Black Orpington breed 
 is stated to have been as follows : — A large Black Minorca cock was crossed 
 with black sports from Plymouth Rocks. Pullets from this cross were 
 mated with clean-legged Langshan cockerels, and the produce was bred 
 to the short-legged, deep-bodied type so much admired in Black Orpingtons. 
 The result was a black fowl, with a green sheen, clean black legs, plumper 
 than the average Langshan, white skin and flesh, well-shaped carcass, 
 and, above all, an excellent winter layer of brown eggs. One of the chief 
 components of the Plymouth Rock breed being probably the black Java 
 fowl, which in its turn had much in common with the Langshan, the double 
 Langshan element gradually overpowered the Minorca element until Black 
 Orpingtons reverted to little else than clean-legged Langshans. The eggs 
 lessened in size as the Minorca element lost power, and the color of the eyes 
 — often then red — reverted to the black or brown of Langshans. Later on, 
 in about 1891, Mr. Joseph Partington introduced what was considered an 
 improved type of Black Orpington, and provided practically new blood. 
 It is supposed that he utilised none of the cross used by Mr. Ciook, and that 
 the strain probably contained Cochin blood. Mr. Partington's birds being 
 bigger, more fluffy, and all dark-eyed, found greater favor on the show bench, 
 and he completely scooped the pool. The type has imdcrgone a little change 
 since then, but the following is the generally recognised standard : — 
 
 Cock Bird. 
 
 The head must be small, neat, and fairly full over the eye, and carried 
 erect. Many show judges pay too little attention to the head of the Orpington, 
 and coarse-headed birds frequently occupy prominent positions on the exhi- 
 bition bench. The importance of a small head cannot be too strongly empha- 
 sised ; it generally accompanies all the excellent qualities that formerly 
 belonged to the Croad Langshan. The eye should be dark-brown, or even 
 black, in color, and should be full, bright, and intelligent. An eye with all 
 these characteristics is seldom found on a very coarse-headed bird. The comb 
 should be of medium size rather thin than otherwise ; erect, evenly serrated, 
 and free from side sprigs. The wattles should be of medium length and well 
 rounded, and the ear-lobes rather long, thin, and fine in texture. The comb, 
 face, ear-lobes, and wattles sliould be a bright red color. The beak should 
 be short and strong, nicely curved, and of black or very dark horn color. 
 The neck should be not too long, well curved, and with full hackle. 
 
 The Body. — The breast should be broad, deep, and full, and carried well 
 forward ; the breast bone straight and fairly long, the whole body looking 
 massive and solid, and set fairly low. Particular attention should be paid 
 to preserving the correct shape. The back short, with broad strong shoulders, 
 the saddle rising slightly, with full hackle ; tlie wings well formed and carried 
 
50 
 
 close to the body ; the skin thin and fine in texture and white in color ; 
 flesh white and firm. The tail should be of medium size, not too large by any 
 means, and inclined backwards and slightly upwards. 
 
 The Legs and Feet. — Thighs and shanks should be short, powerful, and well 
 apart ; the shanks free from feathers, black in color, turning lighter after 
 the first moult ; toes, four in number and well spread. General shape and 
 carriage should be cobby and compact, ej'ect, and graceful. The plumage 
 should be close. It is impossible to pay too much attention to this point. 
 It is to be deeply deplored that so much encouragement is given by a certain 
 section of show judges to birds showing an extraordinary amount of fluff. 
 The breeding of birds for fluff tends to decrease the layingpowers of the hens, 
 and flufi generally accompanies an uncommonly thick skin, loose, ungainly 
 body, coarse head, general sluggishness, and lack of vigor and stamina. 
 iSuch birds are useless from the commercial standpoint, and are an eyesore 
 to all practical breeders. The plumage should be black in color, with a green 
 sheen or lustre, and the weight should be about 91bs. to lUbs. when fully 
 matured. 
 
 The Hen. 
 
 Practically the same characteristics apply to the hen, with one or two 
 exceptions. The cushion should be small, but sufficient to give the back 
 a curved appeai-ance ; weight about 81bs. or 91bs. when matured. In iSouth 
 Australia the Black Orpington threatens to rival the White Leghorn in 
 popularity. It shows remarkable adaptability to an}' sort of climate, and 
 though it flourishes in mnter better, probably, than any other breed, it still 
 withstands the summer heat almost as well. It is a docile bird, verv easilv 
 handled, can fly very little, and stands confinement well, though, if allowed 
 free range, it is a vigorous forager. For these reasons alone it is an ideal 
 home bird. The plumage being of .self color, the bird always looks and 
 wears well. Nothing could be more beautiful than the rich beetle-green 
 sheen or lustre of its plumage. There are no markings or lacings to breed 
 for, and whereas other birds mostly deteriorate in color or markings after 
 their first season, the Black Orpington tends to improve in the richness of its 
 plumage color. As a table bird it is one of the best, with its white skin of 
 fine texture and its tender, white, juicy flesh and big. well-shaped carcass. 
 In this State it is opposed by no absurd prejudice against its black legs, and 
 readily commands top market prices by reason of its size and quality. 
 
 There is a particularly good local demand for the cockerels at prices re- 
 munerative to breeders, and the hens, even with their second season, are 
 ea,»erly snapped up. Apart from its selling value, the Black Orpington 
 breedci' has the satisfaction of never being without a delicarv for his own 
 table ; for. the person who is de,sir<nis of biceding crossbreds for table purposes, 
 there is no better cross than a Black Orpington lien mated with anv variety 
 ol' (jume cock. 
 
Laying Oapacity. 
 
 The Black Orpington hen, moreover, is unexcelled as a layer oi brown- 
 tinted eggs. A strong point in its favor is its ability to lay in the coldest 
 of weather, when eggs are scarce and bring high prices. Even as an all-thc- 
 year-round layer it is by no means to be despised, though its tendency to 
 broodiness renders it unable to cope with the best of the light breeds during 
 summer months. Owing to the abnormal craze for records as regards mere 
 number of eggs the commercial value of the Black Orpington as a layer stands 
 in danger of being overlooked. It must not be forgotten that a big percentage 
 of its eggs are laid in the dear season ; hence the total yearly value of its eggs 
 is much greater than appears at first glance, and at the present day it stands 
 at the top of the heavy breed class as a layer. The brown tint of its eggs 
 is a strong point in its favor as a back-yard bird. It is certain that among 
 housewives there exists a very strong prejudice in favor of brown-shelled eggs 
 against white-shelled eggs. By the opponents of the Black Orpington it 
 is urged that its egg is smaller than one would expect fi'om such a big bird, 
 .ludicious selection on the part of every breeder would, in a couple of seasons, 
 greatly increase the average size of the egg. The system adopted by the egg- 
 circles in this State of grading eggs according to size, together with the action 
 of the Poultry Expert in raising the minimum average weight of eggs at 
 tlie laying competitions to 24ozs. per dozen, should stimulate every Black 
 Oipington breeder in default to breed for a better-sized egg. 
 
 Public competitions have proved that it is possible, by careful selection, 
 to produce a Black Orpington well up to the standard weight that can, in a 
 j^ear, l.ay a good number of eggs of a high monetary value and of more than 
 avei'age weight. 
 
 A.S A Sitter and Layer. 
 
 As a sitter and mother the Black Orpington hen is hard to beat. Even 
 in these days of extensive artificial hatching there is, during certain months, 
 an extraordinary demand for broody hens. The practical breeder with a few 
 dozen Black Orpington hens in his yard is seldom short of a broody hen, 
 even in the depth of winter, and can always obtain a remunerative price for 
 such a treasure. The excessive tendency to broodiness is a great weakness 
 in some strains, but, if desired, it can be gradually bred out. To do so necessi- 
 tates a lot of work in keeping complete records of each bird, but it is worth 
 the trouble. Black Orpington chickens are remarkably hardy and easily 
 reared. They grow quickly and fledge well, especially the pullets. The 
 best time to hatch them in this State is during the winter months from May 
 to August. They flourish in the open in the coldest and wettest of weather 
 as no other breeds seem able to do. They are wonderful foragers and do well 
 with a free run for the first four months. They are black and yellow or white 
 when hatched. The chickens showing least black generally turn out the 
 most brilliant birds when matured. 
 
The Culling Period. 
 
 At from four and a half to five months old it is advisable to cull out the 
 cockerels and market those not up to standard type. At that age there is 
 a handsome profit in them. They should average about 51b. in weight, and 
 about 7d. per pound live weight can be obtained locally for them. They can 
 bring even better money exported oversea. The early pullets come into 
 lay when about five months old, and the later hatched ones at about six and 
 a half months. Although a big bird, the Black Orpington is not a big eater, 
 and does well on a moderate ration. If heavily overfed, particularl}'' in the 
 second season, it is liable to put on too much fat, and deteriorate in laj'ing. 
 To sum up, briefly, there is no better all-purpose fowl in Australia to-day 
 than the Black Orpington. It is exceptionally hardy, a good sitter, a splendid 
 table bird, an excellent layer, a moderate eater, docile and easily handled, 
 while it does well either in confinement or on an open run. 
 
 VOTE OF THANKS. 
 
 Mr. V. Kappler — " I think we ought to show our appreciation of the Chair- 
 man's courtesy this evening. We ought to congratulate ourselves on having 
 been able to secure the services of gentlemen at these sessions who are keenly 
 interested in the industry. Mr. Caterer has done a distinct favor in taking 
 the chair this evening." 
 
 Mr. Craig — " I second the motion, and would like to include in it those who 
 have given us such excellent addresses this evening. It is a great pleasure 
 and instruction to the poultry breeders of the State to come here and hear 
 papers road that would do credit to an)^ part of the world." 
 
 FOURTH SESSION, ETC. 
 
 Mr. G. Fowler Stewart, who presided over another excellent attendance, 
 in opening the session said — I was exceedingly pleased to be asked to take 
 the chair to-night, because I, in common with you all, am always interested 
 in anything tending to increase the productiveness of Australia, and more 
 particularly anything likely to increase our exports. I want to direct your 
 special attention to a little item which I took from the latest history of the 
 United States of America — the " Cambridge History " — which is a recognised 
 authority, and a classic of its kind. It contains a very remarkable statement, 
 as follows : — " The money value of the dairy products annuallv produced in 
 this country is greater than that of the value of the total wheat crops, and 
 the value of the poultry and eggs is greater than that of the production of 
 
n.j 
 
 gold, silver, and copper combined." That article is from the pen of Professor 
 H. P. Emery, Professor of Political Economy at the Yale University. I 
 commend it to South Australia for encouragement. 
 
 FEEDING AND HOUSING FOR EGG PRODUCTION. 
 
 Mr. \\'. R. Day (Superintendent at Roseworthy Government Poultry 
 Station) contributed the following upon the subject of " Feeding and 
 Housing for Egg Production " : — 
 
 In responding to the request to be here to-night I do so the more readily 
 because I realise I am in the presence of those who know the industry from 
 A to Z, and from the point of view that I am trying to gain knowledge rather 
 than attempt to impart any. I note with pleasure the progressive step whicii 
 has been taken by the body responsible for the organisation of this first 
 poultry Conference in South Australia. They appear to have found the egg 
 all right, to have watched over the period of incubation, and to have effected 
 a successful hatch ; and I sincerely hope the chicken maj' grow and become 
 such a power that this hall will not be large enough to contain those who may 
 wish to be here next year at the first anniversary of the chicken's birthday. 
 
 Feeding. 
 In dealing with this, to me the all-important question of feeding and 
 housing for eggs, I wish to point out that so much has already been said and 
 written by authorities capable of dealing with the subject that I realise the 
 question is one still largely governed by individual opinion. Every person 
 who may indulge in the work of breeding fowls has his own methods of rearing, 
 and the majority are of the opinion that their idea of feeding is the correct 
 one. Perhaps they are justified in so thinking, as after all every person has 
 a right to an opinion of his own, and he is quite justified in holding to it 
 until he is convinced that he has been following wrong lines. 
 
 RE^rEMBER THESE THINGS. 
 
 The question of feeding for eggs is one which calls for some consideration 
 and observation. My remarks are in connection with a large number of hens 
 of various breeds, as in an egg-laying competition of, say, 100 pens or over. 
 A great deal of the future success of a layer largely depends upon the early 
 stages of its existence, and as its life is generally of short duration it is well 
 to take in all its phases. A great deal of a layer's success must originate 
 with the parent stock. If these have been selected by the breeder for their 
 strong, robust constitution, full of energy, perfectly healthy, with an entire 
 absence of hereditary complaints — such as roup, diphtheria, chicken pox, or 
 other ailments which poultry are subject to ; if also they are free from 
 
54 
 
 vices sucli as featlicr or egg eating, and kept free from vermin — like tick, 
 lice, mites, &.c. — and an absence of broodiness (alwa3^s, of course, selecting 
 and breeding from the best layers), then the breeder may confidently expect 
 to rear chickens which should do him credit as egg-producers. These are 
 points wliich I consider go far towards making the egg-laying competitions 
 the successful ventures which tliey have been during the last few years. 
 
 C'lUCKEN.S. 
 
 \\'e will now deal with the chickens produced under the above conditions. 
 For the first few days we will give them dry warm quarters (not hot), plenty 
 of dry sharp sand to scratch in and pick over. Feed them on finely-cracked 
 wheat, from which the meal has been sifted through a piece of wire gauze 
 to prevent waste, and after the third day give finely-chaffed green feed — such 
 as fine grass or other small stem and blade feed. From then on for a month 
 they may have plenty of chaff in their house to scratch in, and fine soil or 
 sand in their outside run. Their feed may now be larger pieces of grain, 
 mixed witli small quantities of canary seed and linseed, and should be given 
 at different periods of the day, as the chicks will thrive much better if fed at 
 intervals and a little at a time than they will if food is always before them. 
 They might always be kept a little on the hungry side, but not starved, and 
 see that they go to sleep at night with full, tight crops. Alwa3's have fine 
 sharp grit available. Now they may be asked to shift for themselves a little, 
 and be fed somewhat on the same lines as it is intended they should take in 
 the future. 
 
 A Practical C!ouese. 
 
 During their period of egg production the following course has l)een found 
 the most practical from an all-round point of view. From April to September, 
 inclusive, provide a warm breakfast composed of two parts pollard and one of 
 bran by bulk, and mixed with hot soup prepared for the purpose, or by heating 
 the scraps from the house, sucli as meat and vegetables, &c. It is essential 
 that this mash be prepared in such a manner that if a handful were dropped 
 upon the ground it would break into numerous crumbs ; not dry, so that it 
 would blow away in the wind, but break into pieces about the size of a pea. 
 Any appearance of sloppy or soft c(mditions in mash-feeding must be care- 
 fully 'avoided. From October to Marcli, inclusive, the mash may be mixed 
 with cold water, in which has been soaked over night the bran, meat meal, 
 and lucerne chaff. The ijuantities of these ingredients used will be sufficient 
 to absorb enough water to enable us to mix the required quantity of pollard 
 without any further addition of moisture. Ha,viiig added a little salt to give 
 it a flavor, this meal is served out at 7 a.m. This is the earhcst it can be done 
 under our existing conditions, but individuals who feed only a few may feed 
 earlier if they choose ; the earlier the better for the birds. Where a number 
 are to be fed the feeding cannot be caTried out in any haphazard manner. 
 
Appetites must be studied. Fowls differ in tliis as much as do human beings, 
 aniit becomes necessary to give as much us is wanted, and no more or no 
 less. 
 
 Quantity of Feed. 
 The (juantity to be given may be found out by observation, and it will be 
 necessary to go the rounds of the yards at least twice euc-h morning for a 
 few days at feeding time, and add feed to some pens and take away from others 
 until the wants of the respective pens of birds are ascertained. Especially 
 is care needed in the feeding of young growing pullets, as it is at this time that 
 one is likely to overfeed, and thereby produce the too-fat theory one hears 
 of occasionally. I do not think a bird will become too fat after she has settled 
 down to consistent good laying, but this trouble may be courted in the early 
 stages, especially with the heavy breeds. Always feed the mash in clean 
 vessels, eithei- tin or earthenware — the latter preferred. This ensures cleanli- 
 liness of food. The food must not be thrown upon the ground, as the birds 
 would be likely to contract disease through picking up excrement with the 
 moist food so distributed. At about midday, during the period of hot break- 
 fasts, give a quantit}' of chaffed green feed. About 2ozs. per bird may be given 
 of either of the following varieties : — Lucerne, rape, kale, thistles, silver 
 beet, or cabbage and cauliflower leaves, but the latter, unless well mixed 
 with other greenstuff, is likely to cut into long strips of leaf arid help to cause 
 " crop bound " among the more greedy fowls. It is better where it can be hung 
 in bunches on the fence and the fowls made to jump and pick at it. During 
 the remainder of the year I prefer to add the green feed when possible. After 
 using a good substitute in the form of lucerne chaff in the morning mash, 
 at such times as advisable, I would give a few grains of wheat in the litter 
 at midday ; as it is only waste to throw green feed about in the yards during 
 the extreme heat of a summer's day, as the fowls will not leave the shade 
 to eat. At evening, feed grain, and, taking everything into consideration, 
 there does not appear to be a better all-round grain feed than wheat. As 
 a change is advisable at times, I would recommend feeding the short white 
 oat, peas and maize (both crushed), during the colder part of the year, and 
 I would use, wheat exclusively during the remainder of the year. 
 
 Grain. 
 I am not in favor of the method of continually changing the variety of feed 
 to be given to fowls, as each one variety will take some time to work on the 
 system ; and this alteration in the gear is not desirable when the question 
 of eggs is under consideration. The average quantity of grain necessary 
 is about 2ozs. per fowl. These varieties and quantities of feed have been 
 found to keep the fowls healthy and in good condition, and provided at least 
 a fair supply of eggs — an average of 186 from 678 birds — which was sufficient 
 to pay for feed and leave a profit of 8s. 4d. per head. 
 
56 
 
 Sy.s'J'E.M OF Feeding. 
 
 The system of feeding referred to also complies with that reconimeffded 
 bj' the State authority, the Poultry Expert, on feeds and their uses. He 
 gives the proper feeding ratio as 1 to i to 1 to 4|, and 1 to 5 in cold weather ; 
 that is the proportion of albuminoids or flesh formers to fats and oils, carbo- 
 hydrates, &c., (heat-producers), or 1 part to 4, -4^, or 5 parts by weight. The 
 ratio, quantity, and quality of feeds used for eggs at Roseworthy is as follows : — 
 Bran, 1 to 4-30; pollard, 1 to 5-10; lucerne chaff, 1 to 3-33; meat meal, 
 1 to 0-27 ; peas, 1 to 2-70 ; maize, 1 to 11 ; wheat, 1 to 6-75 ; oats, 1 to 4-50. 
 
 The above gives us a mean feeding ratio of 1 to 4-75, which is, approximately, 
 the standard ratio as defined by the recognised authorities on feeds and 
 their uses, and one which also gives a good commercial profit when fed to a 
 laying-strain flock of fowls. Any feed which may be purchased for the 
 fowls should always be of the best market quality, as there is nothing to be 
 gained, but a lot to be lost, by purchasing cheap or second-rate foods. 
 
 Grit a\d Chakcoal. 
 C4rit and charcoal should always be placed within reach of the fowls, as 
 should also a supply of clean, cool, water. Charcoal is an excellent aid to 
 digestion, and helps to keep the fowls health)'. Any hard, sharp-edged 
 grit is useful, and very necessary where fowls are confined in small runs. 
 It helps to ensure digestion of the food, thereby keeping the fowls in health 
 and proper working order. If the foregoing simple methods are adopted 
 
 I feel confident it will not be necessary to trouble about a medicine chest. . 
 This might be useful for some of the more serious complaints from which 
 some valuable stock bird may bo suffering, and by proper attention may be 
 induced to recover ; but for layers a supply of Epsom salts, salad oil, and 
 eucalyptus, for use when a slight cold or some other minor ailment shows itself, 
 should meet all requirements. Anything unapproachable by these remedies 
 should be dealt witli by the axe. Where the breeder has to purchase every- 
 thing he requires at market rates, at the present time it will cost approxi- 
 mately 5s. 6d. a year per bird ; but where the person concerned can grow 
 the amount of general feed he is likely to require, as would be possible with 
 
 II farmer, I should say the cost could be reduced to 4s. 6d. a vear. Under the 
 existing good opportunities to obtain fowls of a good laying strain there is 
 no reason why a profit of 8s. per head per year cannot be obtained. This 
 should be sufficient inducement for a considerable increase in the numbers of 
 the supporters of such a lucrative industry as that of the co-operative egg 
 circles 
 
 HousiN'o FOR Layers. 
 This subject is of next importamc to that of breeding and feeding for layers ; 
 and, I think, next to breeding, it is equal in importance to feeding. With 
 poor housing a lot of tiie results aimed at by judicious feeding would be lost. 
 
Therefore, as it is essential that every inducement should be provided for the 
 fowls to do their best, it is absolutely necessary to provide proper quarters 
 for them to roost in, and also to accommodate them in their desire to lay 
 their eggs in a nest properly placed for the purpose. Shelters and shade 
 from the storms and heat of the sun must be provided. I do not recommend 
 luxurious quarters. At Eoseworthy Poultry Station we have houses of five 
 different sizes, as follows : — Three-feet single testing or mating house ; the 
 6ft. competition house and scratching houses of 9ft., 12ft., and 15ft. The 
 first, viz., the 3ft. house and small run is very handy, as it can be used for 
 testing layers, single mating, cockerel pens, or for a hen to rear a clutch 
 of chickens. The second, or 6ft. by ift. by 5ft. by 4ft. is a very suitable 
 house for the purpose for which it is being used, viz., for competition work; 
 but I would not recommend it to breeders on the same scale as it is now 
 used — that is, to accommodate six hens. The other houses referred to are 
 very useful, and are quite up to requirements in every way — the competition 
 house, with a 6ft. by 4ft. floor space, 5ft. high in the front and 4ft. at the 
 back, with half the front closed, behind which the birds roost, admits of 
 plenty of light and ventilation. The house should face north, and open into 
 a run 40ft. long by 10ft. wide, with 6ft. wire-netting fence. This house and 
 yard could accommodate nine hens and one male bird, and a handy man 
 could build house and yard for £3. With this number of birds every atten- 
 tion would have to be given to details, such as windbreaks, shade, and 
 patches dug to providis dust baths, and green feed supplied. It is always 
 the details which count. 
 
 Cost. 
 
 The business doe's not finish with the erection of the house, but for all- 
 rounfi general purposes I think the scratching house is the better one. This 
 can be built on any dimensions required, but a handy size is 15ft. by 6ft. 
 floor space, 5ft. high in front, and 4ft. at the back, with hood and gate on 
 front of house, thus enabling one to close the stock in the house during wet, 
 cold weather, when the opportunity to scratch in dry chaff or straw will be 
 much appreciated by the fowls. This house, with yard 50ft. by 30ft., would 
 cost, approximately, £5, and accommodate 30 hens. The swinging hood is 
 optional, but with it the house can be aired and the strength of the sun 
 admitted when required, and shelter and shade provided when and as re- 
 quired. On housing will to a great extent depend the financial position of 
 the builder, who is sure to have views of his own. 
 
 Suggestions. 
 
 Therefore I will not attempt to do more than make a few suggestions, as 
 follows :^The house should be tight and warm, no draughts allowed to play 
 upon the fowls, but yet airy and well ventilated. There is no need to make 
 
58 
 
 a hot-house for them. It must be well situated, facing the north or north- 
 east, so as to admit the morning sun as early as possible, and to protect the 
 fowls from the bad weather conditions which usually come from the south 
 or south-west. The floor of the house should be somewhat above the level 
 of the surrounding ground, thus ensuring its being dry and well drained. 
 This will be found to be a very necessary precaution to take in the winter 
 time. The perch might be 12in. above the floor for the light breeds, and 
 9in. for the heavy breeds, and the birds should be allowed at least 8in. of 
 perch space each. They seldom occupy so much. The nest might be so 
 arranged that the birds may lay their eggs upon clean straw or dry grass 
 which has already been placed upon the ground. This can be done by 
 fastening some of the odd pieces of plain sheet iron which will be lying about 
 after building the house on to the inside of the house in the form of half a 
 circle, about 6in. high, with the edge turned down so as to prevent the fowls' 
 feet being cut when stepping in or out of the nest. These pieces can be made 
 to hook on, so that the nests can be easily cleaned out when required. I 
 would suggest that the house be constructed with stout flat iron ends and 
 back and half front, with corrugated iron roof, and all wood possible on the 
 outside. This should be well oiled to withstand the weather. Whatever the 
 notions of the builder may be in regard to the house, I would strongly recom- 
 mend that it open to the north or north-east into runs of not less than 40ft. 
 per bird. A grass run is a great advantage, and should not be less than 
 00ft. per bird. If confined in one run, which should be kept covered with 
 a good supply of litter, artificial shade should be provided where the natural 
 shade is absent. 
 
 Windbreaks. 
 
 If yards be constructed in open country, windbreaks will be found useful 
 and necessary. A good plan upon which to build, where space will permit, 
 is to build the house in the middle of the piece of ground and divide off from 
 the centre of house ends to side fences. Use one half of block for run and 
 cultivate and sow the other half with some quick-growing fodder, such as 
 rape, kale, or mustard. This can be cut for some time for feeding purposes. 
 Then the fowls may be turned into that yard, and the one which has been 
 used as a run may then be cultivated and sown. This ensures plentv of 
 green feed, and at the same time is sweetening and prevents the soil from 
 becoming foul. A small hand plough is obtainable, with which a fair-sized 
 yard can be ploughed and sown, and with a rake worked down in a couple 
 of hours. 
 
 A Plan. 
 
 I realise the building and construction of houses and yards will largely 
 depend upon circumstances, and I will therefore state briefly the following, 
 which will be found to be conducive to good laying : — A tight, dry, warm 
 house, well ventilated, \vitlinut being draughty ;■ low perch ; vermin-proof 
 
nest ; double jaids, viz., dry run and green feed, where possible, otherwise 
 plenty of green feed to be given ; plenty of scratching material ; at all times 
 plenty of shade in the summer time. While it is well to see that every fowl 
 should get a necessary supply of good wholesome food, ,it is just as necessary 
 to see that every fowl makes proper use of the house provided for it, viz., 
 to roost inside and not outside of it. General requirements needed in con- 
 nection with feeding and housing of layers are regularity in attention, cleanli- 
 ness in habits, observation, and energy. If these are always mixed with a 
 judicious expenditure of capital and general care of poultry for profit, I fed 
 confident the owner will be well repaid for his time and labor. 
 
 COLD STORAGE OP EGGH. 
 
 Mr. C. ¥. MoCann, Acting Manager of the Government Produce Depot, 
 stated- - 
 
 The promoters of this Poultry Conference are to be congratulated upon 
 the attention to detail which has characterised the selection of subjects to 
 be dealt with in the shape of papers to be read at the several sittings of 
 this reunion. The history of poultry-keeping and its attendant products 
 has been traced throughout the different stages, and incidentally it may be 
 remarked that the title of the paper which has been allotted me, viz., " The 
 Cold Storage of Eggs," exemplifies how keenly alive the authorities responsible 
 for this C'onference have been to still further enlighten the poultry-keepers 
 generally regarding the method of treatment eggs undergo after passing 
 beyond their jurisdiction. Before, however, starting to read my paper I 
 would like it to be distinctly understood that the cold storage of eggs, as far 
 as South Australia is concerned, is to a very large extent experimental. I 
 do not in any way wish to convey the impression that very excellent results 
 have not been achieved by many firms engaged in the work of storage ; but 
 the point that I clearly wish to emphasize is that the impressions which I 
 am giving to-night are those of my own experience, which have extended 
 over a period of some seven years. Storage has been carried out with various 
 successes for a number of years, but, the business did not assume very large 
 proportions until the question of London shipment was first mooted. Ex- 
 periments had from time to time been carried out, but the work in earnest, 
 as far as the Government Produce Department was concerned, began with the 
 home shipments. The first consignment for export storage arrived at the 
 Government Freezing Works in September, 1906, and some idea of the rapid 
 increase of business will be gauged from the fact that since that date the 
 Department has successfully stored 6,292,164 eggs. 
 
 The first essential to the storage of eggs is a rigorous testing, with a view 
 of rejecting all eggs excepting those absolutely sound, fresh, and thick- 
 shelled. It pays better to cull out the lightly-shelled eggs, as the amount of 
 
60 
 
 handling which, eggs intended for storage must be subjected to naturally 
 tends to a higher percentage of cracks if the eggs with thin shells are included. 
 This point is one which the poultry keepers present should note, and in the 
 feeding of poultry ensure that sufficient shell-forming matter is included in 
 the fowls' diet. 
 
 Testing. 
 
 Various methods of testing have been tried, and where eggs have to be 
 tested after a hot spell it has been found that the only safe method is to resort 
 to the old system of testing by passing the eggs individually before a strong 
 enclosed light in a dark room. Where electricity is available, the installation 
 of 16-candle-power lamps (partially enclosed in a wooden case in order to 
 concentrate the light to a small aperture) is recommended. This light is 
 considerably improved by the addition of a reflector, by which means the 
 power of the light is accentuated. 
 
 Packing. 
 
 The process of grading having been disposed of, the eggs are packed loosely 
 in small 20doz. cases, the construction of which is such as to permit of a 
 perfect circulation of the air ; and the timber used in the construction of the 
 cases must be as light as possible, as it must be remembered that the larger 
 the timber employed in the manufacture of cases the greater waste material 
 which has to be cooled down, and, of necessity, the greater space of time 
 elapses before the actual cool air reaches the egg itself. Experience has 
 taught me to recommend the use of 20doz. cases, with a depth not greater 
 than 6in., my reason being that not only does the shallowness of the package 
 lead to quick action from a refrigerating point of view, but it also assists 
 materially in the rapid evaporation of sweat when eggs are removed from 
 cold storage and brought into contact with the hotter temperature of the outer 
 atmosphere. On no account should anything but thoroughly seasoned timber 
 be used in the construction of egg cases, otherwise the eggs will become 
 tainted by the smell of the wood. 
 
 The next proposition is the selection of a freezing-room. The essentials 
 necessary to ensure safe storage arc many. The room, if possible, must bo 
 situated within close proximity to the engine-room, in order that during the 
 opening stages of the storage the engineer can conveniently watch the gradual 
 settling down of temperatures. The strictest attention is necessav}' until the 
 exact amount of refrigerating power to keep an even temperature has been 
 arrived at. In no other class of produce to which cold storage has boon 
 applied is it so necessary to absolutely seoire an even degree of temperature 
 all over the room ; and only when this has been attained will good results 
 follow. The question of correct temperature of egg-rooms is one open to a 
 groat deal of controversy, and it is difficult to arrive at a temperature which 
 
61 
 
 meets with the general approval of all engaged in the trade. liocal con- 
 ditions and the situation of the room play a most important part in the regula- 
 tion of temperature. If the room, for instance, in which it is intended to 
 store eggs is situated over others which arc held at a very much lower tempera- 
 ture for the storage of different classes of produce, of necessity, witli only the 
 floor insulation intervening, fluctuations of temperature are sure to ensue ; 
 but where the relative surroundings are of equal temperature, my experience 
 favors the keeping of the room at 33° F. Eggs can safely be kept, and per- 
 haps with greater economy, at a higher temperature for short periods, but 
 when long storage and frequent access to the room is required the temperature 
 quoted is safer. The danger in keeping eggs below 33° F. is that there is a 
 tendency for the yolk of the eggs to become semi-fi-ozen or hard and the white 
 to become thin or watery — two features which tend to rapid decomposition 
 when the eggs are removed from storage. Whilst on the subject of tempera- 
 tures it might be of interest to mention that experiments conducted have 
 proved that rotten eggs freeze at a temperature a little under 32°, whilst 
 fresh eggs do not reach the frozen stage until they have been subjected to 
 a temperature of 26° or 27°. The process of refrigeration condenses tlie 
 moisture in the atmosphere of the freezing rooms, which is collected on the 
 refrigerating pipes in the form of snow, and whilst the action has but little 
 significance regarding the storage of most other produce, it plays a most 
 important part in the storage of this commodity. Eggshells are composed 
 of carbonate of lime, deposited in the form of prisms, which so placed form 
 countless pores, and so, consequently, when the action already referred to 
 above has exhausted all the moisture of the atmosphere, that contained in 
 the eggs itself is gradually drawn off, with the result that, if not checked, will 
 result in dry cavities between the shell contents, and result in the shell and 
 contents adhering to each other when cracked for culinary and other purposes 
 after thawing out. To guard against this, it is necessary to introduce sufficient 
 moisture to ensure oi a humidity temperature sufficient to counteract the 
 natural action of refrigeration. The degree of humidity temperature re- 
 quired varies with the degree of temperature approved for storage, and my 
 experience proves that for the rate of storage which we are working on 75° 
 of moistu.re is ample. The egg itself gives of! a considerable portion of foul 
 smelling gases, due to the very large extent of decomposition of the tissues 
 of the inner membrane of the egg itself. This fact is emphasized by the 
 smell of all badly-ventilated egg-rooms, and if the refrigerating action is not 
 sufficient to absorb these gases by condensing them on the pipes the gas is 
 held in suspense in the room, and immediately sets up a propitiation of the 
 germs, which produce mould and tend to decay the egg. 
 
 Question of Odor. 
 The porous nature of the eggshell previously referred to, ;ind the sus- 
 eeptibility of the contents to absorb the slightest taint, render it imperative 
 
62 
 
 that the room in which the process of storage is carried out should be absolutely 
 free from smell. This is a very serious matter to overcome, and requires 
 very careful attention. Prior to being stowed with eggs, the walls, if painted, 
 should be absolutely cleaned of all paint smells and thoroughly formalined. 
 I do not think it advisable to paint rooms used for this work, but to give the 
 ^\'alls, floor, and roof a good coating of whitewash in which a liberal supply 
 of oil or tallow has been included. In the actual stowage of the egg cases 
 in the room care should be taken to allow ample ventilation, in order that 
 the gas given ofi by the eggs during the process of cooling can be readily 
 drawn off from the room. Perhaps the best aijd safest means of getting rid 
 of gases generated, apart from the action of the refrigerating coils, is by means 
 of the suction fan working on an air shaft ; but where the room used is entirely 
 enclosed an air-lock, hatch ventilation, aided by the agitation df an ordinary 
 electric fan can be resorted to, but care must be exercised that all outer air 
 is excluded. However, this is a matter upon which no fixed rule can be laid 
 down, as the local conditions governing the situation of the room nearly always 
 vary. Experiments have also proved that eggs kept in well-ventilated rooms 
 are clearer and stronger than those kept where the question of ventilation 
 has not been attended to. In many instances the necessity of ventilation is 
 rendered greater by the fact that many storers use fillers. It has been proved 
 that the process of evaporation goes on from the time that the egg is laid, 
 and this process is hastened to a very great extent by the action of the cold 
 air ; consequently it is only reasonable to argue that cardboard fillers must 
 become the absorbents of the evaporated moisture, which, unless under 
 exceptional circumstances, immediately set up the breeding of fungus growth 
 and mould. 
 
 Most iMroRTANT Subjec't. 
 
 Unless absolutely odorless fillers are obtainable, my experience has been 
 that it is infinitely cheaper and safer to store loosely. ^Vith a view of ascer- 
 taining the exact amount of moisture evaporated by eggs during a period of 
 storage, interesting tests were carried out by Mr. D. F. Laurie and myself at 
 the Government Freezing Works, Port Adelaide. The eggs were selected 
 from a room set apai't for the purpose of egg storage and kept at a 
 temperature of 33°. The humidity of the air in the room registered T."")', 
 and the average loss from shrinkage due to evaporation was 7\ per cent, of 
 the weight of each egg. Two interesting features were noted in the weak- 
 shelled porous egg. The evaporation was excessive, reaching in some in- 
 stances 10 per cent. In the out-turn the infertile egg opened up infinitely 
 superior to the fertile egg, not only in brightness of appearance but in fresh- 
 ness, and kept for a, much longer period when removed from storage. I have 
 touched briefly upon the points most pertinent, without wading too decplv 
 into tlie technicalities surrounding this business ; but I can assure the 
 audience here to-night that cold storage, as applied to eggs, is not only one 
 
63 
 
 of the most difficult to handle ; but it is rapidly becoming one of the most 
 important, even in this State. The fact of so little information being avail- 
 able on this subject readers it imperative, almost, for each individual engaged 
 in the trade to act upon his own initiative. Hence it is that, on occasions 
 such as we have to-night, the expressions which I have just given going forth 
 may lead to friendly criticism, which will probably result in the interchange 
 of ideas which cannot do otherwise than assist those engaged in the cold 
 storage of eggs. 
 
 QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION. 
 
 Major Norton — " I noted that Mr. McCann said that we have cold-stored 
 some 6,000,000 of eggs in the last few years at the Produce Depot. No 
 doubt that is a splendid thing for him, but I venture to say it is not altogether 
 too good for the producer. It would have been very much better if those 
 eggs had been on the other side of the seas, on the English markets. I should 
 like to know how long li^ has kept eggs in store still fresh enough to be useful 
 for commercial purposes." 
 
 Mr. McCann — " We have kept eggs in cold storage and sold them, after 13 
 months, within a penny a dozen of the market rate. I have some samples 
 here, however, which I would like the audienc;p to examine. They were 
 laid in September, 1908, and placed in cold store at once. They were taken 
 out in May, 1909, and here they are now in April, 1910 — a year and seven 
 months old. They are perfectly fit for eating, except that the evaporation 
 process has absolutely taken all the moisture out of them. Anyone is at 
 liberty to sample them. They do not bear any suspicion of bad odor." 
 
 Mr. Charles Wilcox — "Regarding Mr. Day's references to feeding (o 
 strengthen the shell. What would he recommend in order to bring about a 
 strong-shell layer ? " 
 
 Mr. Day — " One of the chief factors in connection with a hard-shell la\-er 
 is in the selection of the actual bird and breed. Some hens will persistently 
 la}- a thin, porous-shelled egg, but for general use I recommend the constant 
 presence of shell grit for the lime formation of the shells. Where fowls have 
 been kept continually without grit, and forced fed, you begin to get soft 
 shells immediately." 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson — " It is contended by some that oyster shell is better tlia.n 
 shell grit. I have not tried it, but American poultry papers strongly contend 
 that oyster shell is better than the ordinary small sea shells. Last winter 
 the Produce Depot put on the market a bone meal. I used it and found 
 that the shells were mostly of a very fine character. I am sorry the depart- 
 ment discontinued the production of that, because it had a splendid influence 
 in forming the shell and perfecting it for incubation, The eggs turned out, 
 with healthy birds, as smooth as marble. I had been feeding shell grit, and 
 when I took the bone meal I at once noticed an improvement," 
 
64 
 
 Mr. Day — " I am not acquainted with the American ideas, but my experience 
 here on the feeding of layers has been that you certainly must keep a supply 
 of grit always before the birds. The oyster shell must be, of course, a very 
 useful diet, but I think the ordinary sea shell quite serves the purpose, and is 
 much cheaper and, therefore, to be preferred for general use." 
 
 Mr. McC'ann — " Regarding Mr. Tonilinson's references to bone meal, the 
 only reason why that was taken off the market was want of demand ; but 
 should the demand warrant it, the meal will certainly be placed before the 
 public again." 
 
 BIr. Cooke — "As to bone meal, I used to obtain my supply from the agent 
 from whom I also procured bran, pollard, &c. I asked the dealer why he 
 could not supply me with bone meal. He rephed, ' Unfortunately for me, 
 while the Government are rather anxious that I should pay my taxes, when 
 it comes to selling their bone meal they will not allow me to make any profit 
 out of it. Therefore, I do not stock it.' Perhaps that is the answer to the 
 lack of demand. I should recommend that^ even at a small loss, it should 
 be put on again and some margin allowed the dealers and agents for the sale 
 and pushing of it." 
 
 Mr. McCann — " I am glad the subject has been brought up to-night. After 
 putting in about five years making the poultry meat meal, I turned my 
 attention to the bone meal, but I could not get a sale for it. We thought 
 it wise to keep the agency ourselves. We are now prepared, however, to 
 produce it again, and to take on any tradesmen who wish to get the agency." 
 
 Mr. \'on Bertouch — " Has Mr. Day had any experience with fowls that have 
 been always supplied with an ample amount of green feed, so that he can 
 say whether that diet ensures the production of a harder shell." 
 
 Mr. Day — •' I have never undertaken yet to feed fowls without giving them 
 a necessary supply of green feed. I have always considered it essential, 
 just as I have considered the shell grit essential, so I have not tried the experi- 
 ment." 
 
 Mr. A. Ferguson — " I disagree to an extent with what has been said about 
 shell grit. I keep numbers of my fowls without any grit at all. Whether 
 they get any from the soil I cannot say ; but I do not find them laying any 
 soft shells. The only time I got softshell eggs very extensively was where 
 the birds had got exceedingly fat. I will say this, that birds that were 
 deprived of their grit did not lay as many eggs as I would have liked, but they 
 laid a perfect shell, and I could not note any difference in thickness com- 
 pared with the best of hard shells. I maintain they can get all they want 
 in this direction from the food the)' eat, and I do not think it is altogether 
 necessary to feed grit as well. Soft shells are due to fat or fright, or some 
 ovarian trouble. As to cold storafrc, it has been in the past a fairly good 
 proposition, but as Major Norton pointed out, it would have been far better 
 if those eggs had been exported, for the longer they arc kept in storage 
 
65 
 
 the more weight they lose. Another point. Every egg that goes into cold 
 store should not be allowed to emerge again until it has the Government 
 brand on it to show where it has been. These eggs are apt to be put on 
 the market and sold as strictly fresh eggs — not by Mr. McCann, of course. 
 Experiments will have to be made, too, to show that after eggs have emerged 
 from cold storage they are actually fit for consumption. It has not yet been 
 proved that some agency does not go on that will hurt the commodity in 
 cold store. We know now that plenty of micro-organisms will exist below 
 freezing point, and we do not know whether these micro-organisms arc not 
 present to hurt the goods in cold store." 
 
 WHITE LEGHORN BREED. 
 
 A paper on the White Leghorn breed was contributed by Mr. T. B. Brooks 
 as follows : — 
 
 The White Leghorn is the favorite breed in Australia. This has been 
 caused by the breed's breaking all existing records at tlie competitions. 
 The first White Leghorns were imported into Australia from America 
 in about 1880. It is a native of Italy. Years ago casts were discovered 
 in the ruins of Pompeii of birds similar to the White Leghorn. This 
 proves to us that the breed dates back over 3,000 years. Color — white 
 feathers, yellow legs and beak, and yellow skin and fat — yellow being the 
 greatest resistant of cold. This is a good reason why the breed lays a great 
 many eggs during the cold winter months and is always on top during the 
 hottest summer. The English White Leghorn was bred more for the show 
 bench than for egg production, being large-framed birds, carrying a large 
 quantity of meat. During 1902, Mr. R. E. Warren, of New South Wales, 
 imported from America the Wyckoff White Leghorn. These were small 
 birds, weighing -libs, to 5|^lbs., the same color as the English Leghorn, but 
 much more active. These were tested in our Australian climate and found 
 wanting in egg production. When crossed with our bulky white birds, how- 
 ever, a very fine class was secured. Australians were not slow to see they 
 had a good line in this cross. New Zealand buyers were soon on our market, 
 with the result that to-day eight out of every 10 White Leghorns in Australasia 
 are descendants of the English-American cross as first produced in South 
 Australia. They are excellent foragers, small eaters, lay a large white-shelled 
 egg, weighing from 2-lozs. to 29ozs. per dozen ; and they are able to stand any 
 amount of forcing. I know of no breed that will respond to good treatment 
 so readily as the White Leghorn. They also continue laying longer than 
 any other breed. Pullets will commence laying in March or April, and the 
 best birds lay right through the year and continue on to the following May 
 or June, when they go into moult. This moulting period usually takes from 
 
66 
 
 four to six weeks, wlien the bird commences laying again for nine months. 
 During this period single tested birds have laid up to 475 eggs (both seasons). 
 The fertility of White Leghorn eggs is good, 100 per cent, being quite common 
 when hatched by the hen. White Leghorn chicks feather very young and 
 are easily reared. Chicks hatclicd in incubators and roared in brooders 
 are vei-y vigorous, good scratchers, and when propei'ly reared, develop great 
 leg muscle, lean body, and hardv constitution. 
 
 Egg Machines. 
 The fact of the Wliite Leghorn holding the world record for egg-laying 
 for so long proves conclusively that this is the best breed from the commercial 
 viewpoint. During the last few years all the large poultry farms which liave 
 started in Sou.tli Australia have secured White Leghorns as a foundation, 
 or stud from which to breed. The following figures will give some idea of 
 tlie winnings of this breed : — The first world's record was put up by Mr. 
 Williams' birds at Subiaco, Western Australia, with 1,494 eggs. Tliat was 
 beaten l)y Mr. A. H. Padman, with 1,538 at Gratton, Queensland, which is 
 still unljeaten. Jlrs. A. E. Kinnear's birds held the South Australian record 
 for 12 months, when Mr. Bertelsmeier's pen put up the same number, 1,531. 
 The New Zealand record, 1,409, was established in 1906-7 competition by 
 the Ontario Farm (T. B. Brooks), and is still unbeaten in the Dominion. 
 These records are all held by South Australian breeders, and prove beyond 
 doubt that our White Leghorns are really egg machines. 
 
 Mr. Ferguson — " Mr. Brooks's paper says the White Leghorn was imported 
 here about 1880. Well, I thought I kept White Leghorns earlier than tliat." 
 
 Lessons by Competitions. 
 
 Mr. Laurie — "I would like to add a few words to that paper. Mr. Brooks 
 gave interesting information about the records put up by individual hens. 
 I give the results of tlie laying of flocks of hens. In the 1907-8 competition 
 at Roseworthy there were 204 White Leghorns, the average per hen was 
 197-4 eggs. Americans say it is ridiculous to talk about a 200-egg strain. 
 Well, there you liave it, nearly, and not for one hen, but for 200 odd. In 
 the competition just terminated there were 390 Wliite Leghorns, and the 
 average was 198-7 — still closer to the 200, you see. In 1908-9 competition 
 there were 150 White Leghorn hens (this may be taken as a representative 
 number for a private breeder), and they laid the record of 2()8 for eacli. I 
 think that i-ecord has just about choked our friends in the land of the Stars 
 and Stripes. They frankly did not believe it. It means that for tliese three 
 competitions over 700 White L(>nhorns have put up an average of over 200 
 piT hen per annum. 
 
67 
 
 Knowledge of the Breed, 
 " It shows the good efEect of good breeding, and the excellent class whicli 
 our South Australian breeders have produced. No other breeders in the world 
 have done such things. No breeder elsewhere has yet penned six birds of 
 any breed that exceeded 1,500. Mr. Brooks mentions the casts of the birds 
 that were found in the ruins of Pompeii. A few years ago they discovered 
 a mosaic in colors — a most wonderful work of art it was, and it is now in the 
 museum at Naples. It depicts a Brown Leghorn cock, with the colors almost 
 precisely as to-daj''. A year or two after they discovered the mate to it in the 
 shape of a Brown Leghorn hen, with the precise modern markings, except for 
 a few white feathers on the saddle. We look upon the White Leghorn as a 
 Mediterranean breed, and they are really said to be the ancient Egyptian fowl. 
 The family is known throughout Europe as the Italian fowl, but the name 
 Leghorn was given in America. Definite knowledge of the breed in America 
 goes back to about 1853, although it is said they were imported as far back 
 as 1835. In 1870 and 1872 some White and Brown Leghorns went over to 
 London to be painted by the well-known artist Ludlow, to be included in a 
 standard poultry book ; and that type is almost precisely the type we now 
 have in South Australia. 
 
 History of the Breed in South Australia. 
 '' Mr. Ferguson said he had them before 1880. Well, he must have been in 
 America, for he did not have them here. I remember a few as far back as 
 1882. Then the Hart Brothers, of Beefacres, bought some. Later there 
 were birds being kept by the Becks, at Henley Beach, some more at Mitcham, 
 and I also had a few White Leghorns. They were the American fowl, and 
 they were practically the type we have now. There has been so much said 
 about our breeding mongrels, and that the correct type was that monstrosity 
 they are breeding in England to-day. Some time ago Mr. Collins, the well- 
 known South Australian breeder and importer, sent to Toothill, in England, 
 for a selection of that breeder's very best White Leghorns. Mr. Collins paid 
 65 guineas in London for three white birds. I cannot call them White Leg- 
 horns — they were just great v/hite birds. The male bird when it arrived 
 here had to be dubbed, because of his huge comb. He was just like a great 
 White Malay. It is due to Malays, by the. way, that the English Leghorn 
 is said to get its broodiness. 
 
 Australian Leghorns. 
 " There is no English blood in our Australian laying strain White Leghorns. 
 In 1886 Mr. Malcolm, of Gawler, imported a type of White Leghorns, and they 
 had almost white legs and square bodies. That was due to the introduction 
 of White Dorking blood. The English breeders seem always to like some- 
 thing big. The next blood that came out was to Sydney. Twelve years ago 
 
08 
 
 I was jiido'ing there. I judged most of the sections except the White Leg- 
 horns, and some of the committeemen invited me to come and see a mag- 
 nificent White Leghorn hen that was being shown. She weighed lOlbs., and 
 was as square as a Shorthorn bullock. No characteristic type at all. That 
 type gradually came into vogue — in Victoria particularly. I was judging 
 here some 15 years ago, and there were only a few old scrags shown, and they 
 called them White Leghorns. I made special comment of the fact, to try 
 and get the breed taken up again. Then came the hea'vy t}"pe here. About 
 nine or 10 years ago further imports came over from America, and it is the 
 graft of that blood on some of the old stock we had here that has given us 
 the South Australian White Leghorn. 
 
 Wonderful PoprLAiuTY. 
 
 '' Its popularity now is wonderful. Mr. McCann and I were in Brisbane, 
 and we saw some very fine flocks there. They do remarkably well in that 
 State, and a breeder told me he had averaged lis. 4d. a bird net profit that 
 year. Here, some of our breeders must be doing better even than that. 
 The way of judging Leghorns here in the show pen has nothing to do with 
 us as utility breeders. We have been asked why we do not lay down a stan- 
 dard of type. I do not care to do it, or. agree to its suggestion. Every judge 
 seems to interpret his own standard. The foremost breeders here have bred 
 up a type that practically stamps itself. They have made it a science. In 
 all breeds, especially the White Leghorns, if you do not l\ave the right class 
 of stuff it is no good blaming the breed. If you start at all, start with a few 
 good ones." 
 
 VOTE OP THANKS. 
 
 Major Norton moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman. He said — We are 
 pleased to see him here, because he represents a section of the community 
 which is taking a keen interest in the poultry industry. In the past if 
 you wanted to speak to a business man about poultry, you would not 
 get much encouragement. If you started talking wool, wheat, or wine it 
 would be all right. Poultry was too insignificant. Now >ve see our business 
 men beginning to take a,n active interest in the industry. I have said that 
 the egg circle movement is a good thing for the merchants. I do not know 
 Mr. Stewart's feelings, but I do know tliat if he thinks the egg circle move- 
 ment a good business for the country he will sink t]u> personal side and give 
 it his heartiest support. I hope the merchants of Adelaide will give this 
 system a lift, l)ecuuse it means so much to the producer." 
 
 Mr. Stewiirt — "I thank you, Major Norton, and ladies and gentlemen." 
 
69 
 
 FIFTH SESSION. 
 
 • 
 Mr. Charles A\'ilcox occupied thu cliair, and, introducing tlic work of the 
 evening, said — '■' The interest in this subject of utility poultry rearing and egg 
 production is undoubtedly growing. This Conference is worthy of the attention 
 of everyone interested. As 3'et our State has only touched on the fringe of 
 what is going to be worked up to a huge business. It has been too long 
 neglected. I myself had no idea of the importance of the egg and poultry 
 industry until I saw the enornious quantities of imports into England each 
 year. There is a wonderful market for the greatest amount we can possibly 
 produce. There is no fear of our going too far, and I hope this Conference 
 will prove a great stimulus lo our producers." 
 
 DISEASES AND INCUBATION. 
 The Poultry Expert (Mr. D. P. Laurie) gave the following address : — 
 Some people do not know what poultry diseases are until they begin to dig 
 holes and bury their fowls. In England one disease alone, gapes — luckily 
 we Jiave not got it in South Australia — is said to be responsible for a million 
 deaths a year. Loss in South Australia througli disease runs into tens of 
 thousands annually. I have known private owners lose from 500 to 1,000 
 chickens in a. year through disease. They call it " pip," because the}- do 
 not know it by any other name. There is no such disease as " pip." Poultry 
 tick used to give us a good deal of trouble, with the result that Victoria passed 
 laws prohibiting the introduction of poultry from South Australia, notwith- 
 standing that that State was well endowed itself. On various occasions 
 I have known serious diseases to be introduced from the other Sta,tes 
 and from oversea. All other classes of stock have been protected from the 
 introduction of disease for a long time, but poultry only recently. No\^■ a 
 number of diseases have been specified in the Stock Act, and this gives inspec- 
 tors power to deal with them. 
 
 DealinTt with Diseases. 
 I remember two or three prominent members of the Poultry and Kennel 
 Club asked me if I could not do anything to prevent fowls suffering from roup 
 and similar diseases being exhibited. I said, " I have no power, but you as 
 a committee have power to deal with them, but there is no legal authority 
 to prevent it." That was a prolific way of spreading disease. Under the 
 old regime the sale rooms constituted a vigorous source of infection ; but I 
 found when I had authority to deal with them that only an explanation was 
 needed to make the salesmen exercise care. Of course, it was to the advan- 
 tage of the proprietors of auction rooms to follow out the poUcy of close obser- 
 vation, The result has been that, so far as the marts are concerned, during 
 
70 
 
 the last 12 mouths, except on one specinl occasion, there has been only one 
 bird " arrested " for being unfit for sale. This is very satisfactory ; but in 
 regard to private yards there is a deal to be done. 
 
 Private Yards. 
 
 Considerable ^vork lias been performed in suburbs in the direction of eradi- 
 cating tick. When the trouble is pointed out, usually every endeavor is 
 made to wipe out the disease, but some people do not do so. One or two 
 have been slightly rough over the matter. In introducing a new business 
 like the inclusion of these diseases under the Stock Act, I decided to go slow 
 for a time ; but when people begin to flout you, that is the opportunity to 
 put the law into motion. Tick has to be eradicated. 
 
 A breeder — A big job. 
 
 ilr. Laurie — That is my part of the business. I am not afraid of big jobs. 
 I like them. Victoria has taken up the matter with characteristic energ)-. 
 The}' passed special enactments and they started off to infested 3'ards in com- 
 pany with the fire brigade. They put kerosine over the houses. They 
 wrung the necks of the infested fowls and set fire to the houses and fences. 
 The fences of places not infested were covered with tar, and I believe the 
 pepper trees were cut down. A big point here is that no compensation was 
 paid. We have not attempted anything like that. A big Malay breeder, 
 who imported birds of high-class stock, came to me one morning and said, 
 " My neighbor's yard is infested by tick and they have come into my place. 
 They crawl along the ground and visit my yards at night. I have lost my 
 birds. Is there any action at law ? " I said I was not a lawyer, and I advised 
 him to consult one. Nowadays, when birds are imported, a certificate of 
 cleanliness must accompany them, and such troubles as beset the Malay 
 breeder need not be endured. 
 
 Preventahle Diseases. 
 Nearly all diseases are jircventable. Some are comparatively li,nht, but 
 as a general rule, I may advise, do not breed from birds which have recovered 
 from disease. Keep your places scrupulously clean. Vermin lowers the 
 power of resistance. You hear people say, " Oh, my birds ha'\'e got a few 
 lice." That is what they call them. When birds are sickly that is the time 
 the)' catch any passing disease. Kerosine is cheap, and in the form of an 
 emulsion such as fruitgrowers use, only about two or three times as strong, 
 an efi'cctive method may be adopted to deal with vermin. You must ha"\'e 
 dust baths, but they are not always reliable, for the simple reason that many 
 male birds do not dust themselves. You must examine the birds, and, if 
 necessary, use insect powder. Some people say do not handle them. That 
 is rubbish. Experience has proved it, I used to make a rule of handling 
 niy birds once a fortnight, and I never had disease, I may have been lucky, 
 
71 
 
 but I put ii. lot of the luck down to personal pxiimination. You can often 
 detect incipient signs of outbreak. I have seen some water utensils placed 
 under what is supposed to be the shade of gum trees. Our gum trees, as a rule, 
 arc not shady trees. The result is that the sun strikes the water and warms 
 it into a condition that is a good breeding place for germs. Cold water checks 
 their development. Fowls drink water warmed up to say 90" or VM)" and 
 they are sickly. That is when they will readily take disease. I always 
 advise in summer to use some slight treatment of the water. Permanganate 
 of potash, or, as it is sometimes called, C'ondy's crystals, is very cheap and 
 effective. Use only enough to give the water a slight tinge. Salycilic acid 
 is available for a number of troubles. There is a time when disease burns 
 itself out. That is generally when the last birds are dead. Ovarian troubles 
 are nearly always hereditary. A soft shell egg may be due to over fat or 
 fright, but it is very often due to lack of lime. The hen that persistently 
 lays bad eggs should have her head chopped off, oth(}rwise she will transmit 
 the evil to her progeny. 
 
 How A World's Record was Spoiled. 
 
 What would have been a world's record \^as spoiled the competition before 
 last for this reason. One hen in the pen never laid an egg ; she was tested 
 for months in a single pen, and with the owner's permission and in the presence 
 of Dr. Wigg, Veterinary-Surgeon McEachran, the owner, and Mr. Hart, we 
 made an examination into the cause. We found two eggs in the abdominal 
 cavity. The duct was so paralysed that it could not convey the egg. Another 
 form of disease is the ovarian cystic. " It is only a matter of time before 
 this class of disease will be prevalent throughout South Australia." So 
 say people when they look at the egg-lajdng records we put up. I say that 
 cystic disease is no more prevalent now than 20 years ago, but people are 
 more observant. AVhen they lose a hen they set about ascertaining the cause. 
 At Roseworthy I was told of one bird apparently suffering from this trouble. 
 I thought it was one of the Government birds. We performed an operation, 
 took away a quart of fluid, removed the cj'stic bladder, sewed the bird up again 
 and applied antiseptic dressing, put her back in a coop, and about an hour 
 afterwards she laid an egg. Three or four days afterwards she was all right 
 again. Avian diphtheria is a serious disease. It was a question of scientific 
 debate whether the disease could be transferred to human beings. I do 
 not know for a positive fact that it can be, but nearly every doctor will tell 
 you that there are scores of cases of diphtheria among children which appar- 
 ently have been caught from diseased poultry. My advice is do not let the 
 children go near fowls suffering from this disease or roup, or any trouble, 
 in fact. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to cure diphtheria in fowls. A 
 bird may have the trouble for months and lay and feed well. There is no 
 evidence of toxic symptoms until such hens are about to die, and then it is 
 
12 
 
 found that the system has been thoroughly impregnated. The progeny 
 of any which may recover will be quite unfit to breed from. In the old days 
 the idea was not to keep pure birds because they were delicate. But nothing 
 is so fallacious. Another trouble is due to internal parasites, such as the 
 round worm. It has been exceedingly troublesome this year. The worms 
 produce severe bowel trouble, and the owners think their fowls have cholera 
 or diarrhoea, The cure is simple. These worms distiibute themselves by 
 means of eggs. Tlie eggs pass from the fowls to the soil, and if people throw 
 the food on the ground the birds are likely to pick up the eggs. Birds with 
 this trouble have a vigorous appetite and very soon die. I have proved 
 that the worm powder (areca nut and ssntonine) which I have prescribed is 
 most efficacious, and in any case, if the fowls should prove not to have this 
 trouble, it acts as a tonic. 
 
 Tick. 
 
 Tick {Argas persicus) has been very prevalent in the North and in the 
 suburbs this year. I have proved that the tick often laj's the eggs on the 
 bird. I have here a specimen of this. Ticks cause considerable loss, but arc 
 easy to get rid of. A good eradicating method is soapsuds and kerosine 
 emulsion. The tick dreads anything of an oily nature, and as it breathes 
 through spiracles it is easily suffocated by dust adhering to the oil on its bod)'. 
 
 The time at my disposal is exhausted, and I cannot, therefore, refer to 
 other ailments, pests, &c. 
 
 A large exhibit of various organs of poultry, illustrating diseases, &c., and 
 preserved in formalin solution was on view. 
 
 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 
 
 There arc so many good incubators on the market that a lecturer is saved 
 a deal of trouble in the way of explanation. Makers are now paying more 
 attention to moisture. I have been working in this direction for many 3'ears 
 and I was agreeably surprised to see that at a big Conference held two years 
 ago at Guelph, Cianada, the question was discussed. At that time I was using 
 the wet and dry bulbs at Roseworthj', and people in America were actually 
 making incubator hygrometers. Success in incubation lies outside of the 
 machines to a great extent. You must put good eggs into them and feed and 
 house the birds properly in the first place. The fowl of to-day is the result of 
 generations of work. <^)uality and not quantity must be the object. 
 
 DISCUSSION. 
 
 Mr. Wilcox — " I have listened with deepest interest to Mr. Laurie's address, 
 and, only for these specimens of disease whicli he has shown us, I should be 
 inclined to have to take the matter with just a grain of salt. It is of the 
 very gra.vest importance that we should guard aj^ainst disease. Mr. Laurie 
 
73 
 
 has put forward some simple remedies, and I hope they will react the eyeS 
 of the people whose fowls need them." 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson — " It is quite clear that the tomahawk does not settle 
 every disease. Much poultry literature advises that sort of thing, but the 
 trouble is that the mischief may have been passed on long before the bloody 
 deed is done. Incubating is a matter that perplexes many of us. Thousands 
 of people use incubators and are disappointed almost every time. At the 
 next Conference I would like to hear an authority on the egg, not only from 
 the consumer's point of view, but from the standpoint of the poultryman. 
 We want to know why eggs do not hatch. For instance, I came across an 
 idea only last year ; that was to test the eggs before I put them in the machine. 
 All shells that looked like tapioca when you held them up to the light, and 
 all that had flaws in the shells such as crack marks, and rough and not dense, I 
 put them on one side. And I got 106 chicks from a 120 machine." 
 
 Mr. Craig — " I can testify to the great harm that tick does. It is the cause, 
 perhaps, of most diseases, in that it weakens the bird and thus lays it open 
 to disease. Two of my birds showed very small tick on their bodies. I 
 tried to prize them off their bodies with a penknife. Unfortunately, I drew 
 blood in doing so. Whether it was that I thus assisted the tick, it is a fact 
 that the bii'ds which had been healthily in lay, began to sicken. They had 
 green diarrhcsa and within 48 hours were dead." . » 
 
 Mr. Laurie — " They died of blood-poisoning. The diarrhcea was a sign of 
 septicT-mia, probably caused by a parasite conveyed by the ticks." 
 
 EFFECT OF EGG-LAYING COMPETITIONS. 
 
 The Organising Secretary for Egg Circles (Mr. A. E. Kinnear) read the 
 following paper : 
 
 At the outset it may be said that the laying competitions have been such 
 a feature in Australasia during the past seven years that they have probably 
 done more than all other causes combined to bring about the present under- 
 standing of the financial possibilities in good fowls properly handled. The 
 first competition was held at Hawkesbury College, New South Wales, in 
 1902-3. It was promoted by the Sydney Daily Telegmfh, and the same 
 paper has continuously conducted competitions at this place right up to the 
 present date. In 1903, Victoria and South Australia fell into line and held 
 their first competitions. The other States and New Zealand, in turn, all 
 took up the matter, with the result that— with the exception of Victoria, 
 which dropped out a few years ago — competitions are conducted in every 
 State. Coming to the effects of the competitions, they are many. It has been 
 found in agricultural societies, exhibitions, and schools, that emulation 
 and rivalry have led to the best results. The stress of competition either 
 kills or improves, and for this reason shows and exhibitions are held annually. 
 
74 
 
 It is the same with poultry. Take South Austraha, for instance. The 
 improvement made in the average laying number of hens has been enormous. 
 The first local competition held consisted of 26 pens, with 156 hens. The 
 average per hen on that occasion was 132 eggs ; the average in the com- 
 petitions concluded on March 31st last was 186 eggs, a difference of 56 eggs, 
 which (taking the average price last year) as about Is. per dozen, gives us an 
 increase in cash of 4s. 8d. per hen. Now take the individual scores. The 
 first competition in our State was won with a score of 1,032 eggs. Last year 
 the winning pen of exactly the same number of hens scored 1,531 eggs. At 
 the first competition held at Hawkesbury, the average per hen from 38 pens 
 was 138. The average in the competition just concluded per hen was 181 
 eggs from 60 pens. Taking individual scores, the highest Hawkesbury score 
 for the first year was 1,113 eggs, and, subsequently, the winning score reached 
 1,481. Queensland affords evidence of precisely similar advance. The 
 average per hen in their first competition was 135 eggs ; in the last it was 
 205. Although the last Queensland contest consisted of only 120 hens, 
 which, of course, allowed the conductor to put in much more time with them 
 than was the case at, say, Roseworthy, where the manager had 67B hens to 
 look after, still, the great improvement per hen is marked. In Western 
 Australia a similar improvement occurred. Over there they began later 
 than the other States, and consequently reaped a pretty high average straight 
 away. But the average in the competition which will conclude at the end 
 of the present month looks like being higher than was ever previously obtained 
 in the western State ; also the winning score on the present occasion will 
 probably reach well over 1,500. In New South Wales, at Eockdale, two 
 competitions have been held and the average number of hens ran out at 195 
 and 196 eggs per hen. In New Zealand the climate is colder, but the same 
 improvement is apparent, although the individual scores were not so high 
 as in the drier and warmer chmate of Australia. Other figures could be 
 given to show the very great improvement that has followed laying com- 
 petitions. But sufficient data has been provided to conclusively prove that 
 the effect of rivalry and emulation among poultry breeders throughout the 
 States has resulted in permanent substantial improvement. When I say 
 that to-day an individual hen is worth about 5s. a year more for eggs than 
 her ancestors of seven years ago the point is effectively proved. The experi- 
 ence of the competitions has now so worked out that we know pretty well 
 just how to feed fowls and just how to house them. As will be noticed from 
 the figures giving the averages of the various States are fairly equal, proving 
 that all the breeders are maintaining a similar pace. It also proves that, 
 although feed may be somewhat varied in accord with climatic conditions, the 
 results work about the same. For instance, take the cost of feeding in South 
 Australia over a mean of years. We find tha,t hens cost from 5s. to 5s. 6d. 
 per annum to feed. The same proportion exists in other States, for, although 
 
7d 
 
 their cost is higher than ours it is more apparent than actual, because food- 
 stuffs are at a relatively higher price. A large number of points have been 
 settled by the aid of these competitions. We have found that the hen is 
 more profitable in her first year than at any other time. Laying fowls fall 
 off 25 per cent, in the second year, and the drop in subsequent years is more 
 marked in ratio. Speaking in money, it is probable that in the second year 
 the eggs laid are worth about 4s. less per hen than those laid in her first year, 
 the reason being that when prices are higher the second year hen is in full 
 moult, and therefore a non-producer. The consequence is that such eggs as 
 she lays are laid in cheap times. We have found also that hens lay better 
 in small pens, in small numbers. In the competition pen there are six hens, 
 and the averages speak for themselves. On a poultry farm it is not practical 
 to run hens in sixes, but no practical man would think of running more than 
 about 25 layers together. This probably is the irreducible limit when profits 
 are looked for. In experience, it has been found that if there are more than 
 six hens in a pen they quarrel, break eggs, and do not settle down. To run 
 more than 25 hens in a pen simply means to lose money. Take feeding. 
 We have found that hens, if bred for laying, will produce well on the simplest 
 food, providing it is properly compounded. In the South Australian com- 
 petitions the food consisted of bran and pollard mash with boiled vegetables, 
 and meat meal at the rate of lib. to 100 hens about three times a week. 
 Chopped feed is given at midday and the staple grain is wheat. In colder 
 climates where the runs are larger, the introduction of maize in the winter 
 months is held to be a benefit, but in South Australia we have no experience 
 of this grain. My opinion is that in our climate it would be a mistake to feed 
 it other than to the light active breeds running at large. The tendency of 
 maize is to lay on fat. As you practical people here to-night well know, good 
 layers should never have acquaintance with fat. 
 
 Housing. 
 We have found that the houses or sheds require to face the north or north- 
 east, so that the sun may drive in during the day. These houses are half flosed 
 in in front. 
 
 Litter. 
 We have found in South Australia that to place large quantities of straw 
 in the pens is to keep the birds in better health, and although it is a vexed 
 point, I do not think there is any doubt that an improved condition of health 
 in the birds is caused by the scratching, and must therefore result in a greater 
 number of eggs being laid. 
 
 Wind. 
 We have found that wind plays havoc among the layers, whether it be 
 hot or cold. One of the most important points with penned layers is to have 
 a windbreak around the pens, say 2ft. high, so that from whatever quarter 
 
76 
 
 the wind may blow, the hens can back up against the shelter. Tree shade 
 is of no use on hot days if there is any wind about. I have seen hens leave 
 the shelter of the trees and crowd into the water pots and nest boxes 
 to avoid the wind. For this reason, at Roseworthy, the houses are half-closed 
 in front. This shield is responsible for the excellent winter laying with which 
 we are so familiar here. On a cold night when the hens are on the perch 
 and the wind gets to them, their digestive functions set up increased activity 
 to convey sufficient warmth to the outer extremities. So it equips them 
 as much as possible against the cold. On a cold night a man puts on his 
 overcoat. The hen has no overcoat, and consequently her machinery has to 
 produce sufficient natural warmth to protect her outer surface against cold 
 air ; and so this wind shield is really the hen's overcoat. 
 
 FiNANfTAL Results. 
 Every competition, wherever it may be held, proves that even though 
 all feed has to be purchased, the hen will return a good profit over cost of food. 
 Take South Australia, with an average of ll|-d. per dozen for eggs, our com- 
 petitions show that the average profit per hen over cost of food is about 8s. ; 
 and somewhere about the same figures are returned by competitions in the 
 other States. So far as the farmer is concerned, he has cheap food, and it 
 is probably correct to say that his wheat produced on the spot costs him Is. 
 per bushel less than it does the poultry-breeder in Adelaide. Therefore, 
 the, farmer is altogether in the best position to make poultry return large 
 profits ; and it is pleasing to notice that the farmers in our State have at last 
 realised this fact, and we may confidently expect in the future a much better 
 class of hens kept on farms, with a resultant increase in the production of 
 eggs. 
 
 Strain. 
 One of the most important things discovered has been that it is strain which 
 tells. We are familiar with the sight of White Leghorns at the top of the 
 list with other White Leghorns at the bottom. It is the same breed, but 
 different men are at the back of the birds, and the superior breeder must 
 eventually triumph. This rapacity to produce a large number of eggs is 
 what is termed strain. 
 
 Breed. 
 The history of all competitions proves that three breeds may be regarded 
 as the practical breeds and the best layers. They are, in order of merit, 
 White Leghorns, Black Orpingtons, and Silver Wyandottes. The com- 
 petitions are slowly eliminating all that might be termed fancy breeds. In 
 these utilitarian days any other than strong, robust, good layers must go to 
 the wall. 
 
77 
 
 Education of Poultry-kbepees. 
 The annual reports of the competitions and the weekly publication of scores, 
 together with the space allotted by the dailies to poultry matters generally, 
 have resulted in a young school of breeders springing up. To-day the class 
 of people who are keenly interested in poultry is very much superior to that 
 of the old days ; and to keep poultry is now looked upon as the right sort 
 of thing. At present some of the best and most intelligent people in South 
 Australia are actively concerned in the industry, and the outlook is distinctly 
 promising. We have the climate, the hens, and best of all, the right class of 
 men. Briefly, it may be said that the educational influence of these compe- 
 titions has been pronounced. 
 
 Climate. 
 
 Broadly speaking, it has been found that climate has practically no effect 
 on first-class layers. As proof. White Leghorns, with 1,409 eggs, hold the 
 record in the cold climate of New Zealand. The same breed holds the world's 
 record of 1,538 made in the sub-tropics of Queensland. Again this breed 
 holds the record in the cUmate of Western Australia, and also in the dry climate 
 of South Australia of 1,531. The breed has also scored in a pen of half- 
 dozen, the high score of 1,457 in New South Wales, the record being 1,481, 
 achieved by Langshans. These figures show conclusively that good layers 
 can rise superior to climatic conditions, although it must be said that in such 
 a cold place as New Zealand the production is checked. Probably the 1,409 
 in New Zealand represents quite as good work as the 1,531 in South Australia. 
 But what I want to drive home is the fact that good layers always come out 
 on top in any climate. 
 
 Animal Food. 
 
 So far as I know the use of meat has come into prominence with these 
 competitions. In the old competition, days, sheep's blood and heads, and 
 boiled plucks, and other animal foods of that kind were boiled and mixed 
 in the mash ; but recently, dry meat meal has been used. This is in a granu- 
 lated or desiccated form, and when used at the rate of lib. to 100 birds, say 
 every other day, it has given striking results. The competitions conclusively 
 prove that meat is a big egg-producer. They also show that light breeds 
 can carry the most meat. As a matter of hard fact, layers actually demand 
 large suppUes of animal food. The farm hens are mostly fed on grain, and 
 this is largely the reason why the production falls off from March to July. 
 
 Green Feed. 
 
 The competitions have proved that a continuous supply of green feed is 
 absolutely necessary to keep the layers in good health. Green stuff acts 
 as a laxative or corrective, and it is impossible to give the layers too much. 
 It has been found again that in those places where the yards are large and 
 
78 
 
 couch grass has got a firm hold the hens do excellently. They pick up the 
 grass at will, and the rootlets involve inexhaustible exercise in digging out. 
 
 Medium-sized Birds. 
 
 Another thing that the competitions have proved beyond doubt is that 
 medium-sized hens laying medium-sized eggs are always found at the top. 
 There is no getting away from this fact, as over and over again the winning 
 birds have been found to weigh about 4^1bs., and the eggs from about 24ozs. 
 or 25ozs. to the dozen. If you have a large amount of meat on the birds 
 you cannot have a large amount of eggs, because the undue development 
 of one attribute is invariably at the expense of the remainder. Therefore, 
 we have found that skinny hens are prodigious layers. Their digestive 
 apparatus converts their food into eggs and not into meat. Conversely, 
 the heavy breeds' digestive apparatus converts the bulk of the food into 
 meat, and there is less surplus from which to make eggs — ^because it is the 
 food that makes the eggs. For this reason it is only to be expected that the 
 natural layers — the light breeds — should win laying competitions, as they 
 almost invariably do. 
 
 Mr. Wilcox — "At the close of this Conference I wish to testify to the value 
 it has been to all concerned. I think we should at least tender our thanks 
 to those who contributed addresses and papers, and particularly to the 
 Government officers, for the valuable assistance they have been here. I 
 would like somebody to move a comprehensive vote of thanks." 
 
 Mr. Kappler — " I do so with pleasure. The inauguration of these Conferences 
 is due to the forceful writings of ' Hardshell,' the poultry contributor to 
 The Evening Journal and The Observer. Our thanks are due to that person, 
 and also to the Poultry and Kennel Club, which promoted this Conference. We 
 desire to tender our heartiest appreciation to the Government officials. They 
 have been of invaluable service, and we can personally never go to them 
 asking in vain for help and advice." 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson seconded. 
 
 Mr. W. H. Milford — " As a member of the Poultry Club I would like to return 
 thanks on its behalf, and to support the expressions of appreciation concerning 
 the others included in the vote. I hope that this Conference will be only the 
 first of an annual series." 
 
 The Chairman replied on behalf of the recipients of the vote, and this con- 
 cluded the Conference,