172 Agricultural Joiunial of Victoria. 



Other Classes of Poultry and Game. 



For all classes of poultry there is a good and constant demand, 

 and I am glad to report that the ducks received from Victorian 

 shippers give every satisfaction. Everywhere I have called I have 

 enquired the opinion of these, and in every instance it was of a com- 

 plimentary character. Our turkeys are also well regarded, and a 

 bigger trade should be done in them. The trade at all the leading 

 African centres is large and increasing, and in Johannesburg there is 

 a big demand for ])0ultry and game of all kinds. I think a fair 

 business could be done from Victoria in pigeons well packed in cases 

 of say 50 or more each. Wild duck would also command a ready sale. 



The trade in hares and rabbits has not yet attained very large 

 dimensions, but there is a fair demand, and it will steadily increase. 

 Victorian shipments arc well regarded, and we should always be able 

 to maintain a fair share oi the trade. 



How to Improve Our Position. 



In this poultry trade of Africa fowls are, of course, much the 

 biggest item, and they frequently form the criterion of value of all the 

 other items. Whoever does these well in point of quality, condition 

 and price, is pretty certain to secure the clients orders for his require- 

 ments in other lines, but to fail with fowls, for any reason whatever, 

 means frequently barring the door to other business. 



I sincerely trust Victorian farmers and other poultry breeders for 

 export will attach due importance to the immense held that exists for 

 their products here, and that they will, by breeding a good and suit- 

 able class of poultry, and by feeding and fattening them on some 

 recognised plan, enable the shippers to secure a much larger share of 

 the trade. 



The ship|)er must see to it that the prices are such as will enable 

 us to successfully compete with other countries, and the experts of 

 the Department must see that the other points in which we are at 

 present deficient are remedied, viz. : — 



(a) Closer attention to grading, with the view to securing, as 

 far as possible, uniformity of weight. 



(h) More careful plucking and cleaning, together with more 

 effective bleeding, to improve the apj)earance of the 

 birds. 



(cj Better cases, ventilated in the way I have described. 

 As regards packing, 1 feel sure that any firm who will go to the 

 small expense of wrapping each fowl in thin white muslin, such as is 

 used for inner meat wrapping, will find it greatly improve their 

 appearance when opened here, and repay them for the trouble. 



I think, also, it would be an advantage to use a distinctive brand 

 for poultry as is done for butter. 



