364 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W, [Alay 3, 1920. 



Certificates. 



For groups of six pens laying 1,300 eggs or more during the twelve months : — 

 J. J. Vaughan (White Leghorns), 1,488 eggs ; E. T. Rhodes (White Leghorns), 1,43(> 

 oggs ; A. Drayton (Black Orpingtons), 1,428 eggs ; H S. Lewis (Black (Jrpingtons), 1.415 

 eggs; G. A. Baxter (White Leghorns), 1,359 eggs ; C. Judson (Black Orpingtons), 1,353 

 eggs ; A. E. Brown (Langshans), 1,345 eggs ; A. R. Kennedy (Black Orpingtons), 1,33* 

 eggs ; W. H. Whittorn (Black Orpingtons), 1,331 eggs ; L. K. Pettit (White Leghorn^,), 

 1,318 eggs: P. C. McDonnell (Black Orpingtons), 1,317 eggs; A. Gliddon (White 

 Leghorns), 1,316 eggs ; J. Waterhousc (Rhode Island Reds), 1,314 eggs ; A. Messervy 

 (White Leghorns), 1,304 eggs. 



THE POULTRY EXPERT'S REVIEW. 



Til the competition just concluderl there is a notable absence of any 

 outstanding record, either in groups, single hens, or general averages. As a 

 matter of fact, the general average has slipped back to very close to that of 

 1916. It should be remembered, however, that in that year a big advance 

 had been made from 184, the previous highest (made in 1910}, to 192 eggs 

 per hen, the improvement having succeeded upon the minimum weiglit 

 regulation. This average was followed by 205 in 1917 and 206 in 1918; 

 last year (1919), notwithstanding some high records in the different sections, 

 the general average slipped back to 195, and this year it has recovered a 

 little to 197. Although retrogression has taken place to that extent, we are 

 still above the point where the improvement took place in 1916 and onwards 

 for the following three years. However, the large number of rejections 

 made at the incoming of the birds at the commencement of last competition 

 did not augur well for the success of the 1919-20 test, nor did the incidence 

 of so much disturbance in the penning help matters. 



During the closing days of tlie competition more than ordinary interest 

 was aroused owing to the close running of the leading groups and single 

 hens for first place in practically each section. In the case of the light 

 section, this continued right up to the morning of the last day of the test, 

 when Messrs. Rhodes and Vaughan's groups wcjre tieing for first place. 

 During the day the position was determined in favour of Mr. Vaughan's pen 

 by his birds laying five eggs and Mr. Rhodes' only three, leaving a win liy 

 two eggs for the former. Much the same position was occupied in the 

 single hen test between Messrs. Vaughan's and Baxter's hens. 



In the heavy breed gi'oup section, the position was sufficiently determined 

 some days before to make it plain that Mr. Drayton would beat his 

 opponent. But in the single hens a close finish for first prize took place 

 between Mr. Drayton's and Mr. Durrington's birds, ending in favour of the 

 former by one egg. 



During the whole test Mr. Messervy's group in the standard section (light 

 breeds) was running between third and fourth place. 



Remarking in my last report on the (]uality, it was pointed out that it 

 was only to be feared that the lack of quality as indicated by so man\' 

 rejections was possibly a reflex of what was taking place on some of our 

 farms. This is a feature which should occupy the very serious attention of 

 competitors, because if the retrogression continues we shall soon fall back to 

 the average preceding the high tallies that have been made in recent years. 

 The most notable falling off in recent tests is in the Black Orpingtons, and 

 the question arises has this breed passed its zenith like so many other bi-eeds 

 have done, or is the decline due to instability of type and character ? 

 However, judging from the birds just passed into the 1920-21 test, T am 

 hopeful that next year's results will show some recovery in all sections. 



