280 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



disappeared. The producers have taken notice of the object lessons 

 placed before them, and the result is very creditable, both to the 

 producer and the Department. The egg filler, lined with tasteless 

 paper, brought out by the Department to suit any box similar to 

 kerosene cases, is now becoming universally popular. Its cost is only 

 trifling, being 7 id. for the box. This will allow 25 dozen eggs to 

 be securely packed, and kept free fi'om taint of any kind, and it 

 should certainly be recommended as the best method of packing for 

 cool storage. 



Although the past season has been a very prosperous one as regards 

 the storage of eggs, it cannot be expected that this state of things 

 will continue in the future, unless attention is directed to foreign 

 markets. The egg production of Victoria will no doubt increase, and 

 this will necessitate the exportation of our surplus to other colonies. 

 To compete successfully in exporting eggs to foreign markets, it must 

 be borne in mind that the different points in connection with this in- 

 dustry must receive special attention. The introduction of cool 

 storage chambers on shipboard would be conducive to success. 

 Trouble may even then arise through one producer not being able 

 to take- up the amount of space offered by the shipowners. A full 

 chamber is the smallest space that will be allotted, which may be too 

 large for one exporter. This might be got over by the Department 

 securing a full chamber, and then allotting space according to the 

 requirements of shippers. No trouble should be experienced in making- 

 this arrangement, and the Department would suffer no loss whatever. 

 This would also be the means of assisting and developing the egg 

 trade between Victoria and South Africa, United Kingdom, etc. 



The great benefit to be derived from cool storage would be the 

 regulation of prices. No glutted markets would give the middleman 

 the chance he has had in the past, and the producer can always rely 

 on securing the best market value for his products. 



Poultry Classes. 



The Poultry Classes, which were given under the guidance of the 

 Director of Agriculture, were well attended, and it was gratifying to find 

 so much interest taken in the valuable object lessons afforded by this 

 means. During the past year demonstrations and lectures were given 

 at the most important agricultural shows throughout the State, and 

 great interest was evinced in the various phases of the work. The 

 whole of the different branches were thoroughly explained, including 

 the best and latest improved methods of killing, dressing and market- 

 ing the poultry. Full explanation was also given as to the best breeds 

 and crosses of poultry for table or egg production ; and care, feeding" 

 and attention to the stock was also dealt with. Exhibits of the 

 different breeds of poultry suitable for export and egg production 

 were shown alive and dead, and samples of grain, meal, shell and grit 

 suitable to the requirements of poultry were also included. Models of 

 troughs, dustbaths and all other appliances of the latest approved 



