260 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Other marks contained birds of excellent quality as regards fat- 

 ness, etc., but badly bled, and packed before the carcasses had been 

 cooled right through, and badly graded and unattractive when 

 opened up. These are faults that must be remedied, and no doubt 

 will be, as packers get better acquainted with ui)-to-date killing 

 methods. 



The area from which the poultry came is very general. Some 

 of the very best turkeys examined were Orange Free State bred and 

 Johannesburg killed and packed. The quality of these birds left 

 little to be desired. Xatal was responsible for some very nice parcels 

 also. Johannesburg on the whole sent forward the greatest number 

 of uniformly good quality ; Capetown sent one or two marks of very 

 fair quality. 



Poultry Prices. — Average per lb., 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d. for turkeys; 

 Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. for geese; Is. 6d. to Is. lOd. for ducks; and Is. 2d. 

 to Is. 4d. for fowls; according to grade and appearance on opening up. 



On the whole it is thought that South African shippers are to be 

 congratulated on the year's export trade. 



Regarding future shipments of poultry, the following is advised : 

 Kill properly by " bleeding," do not break the neck, grade to uniform 

 size and weight, thoroughly cool before packing, pack in standard 

 boxes, tie up each bird attractively, wrapping the head in grease 

 paper, also each bird wrapped separately. Stencil plainly on case 

 the number and sex of birds, gross and net weight, for example: — 



Mark -,?f 

 o.A. 



Turkey Hens. 10. 



Net Weight. 80 \h. 



Gross Weight. 95 lb. 



Remember always that when taking the net weight of birds 

 at time of packing to allow 2i to 3 lb. for shrinkage when freezing ; 

 if this is done, the "net" stenciled weight should fairly represent 

 the contents. Alwaj's pack poultry for freezing in a way that when 

 the case is opened up, the contents are shown in the most attractive 

 manner possible. Given this attention the future of our export is 

 assured. 



The Danger of Rats. 



The attention of maize and grain growers, dealers, and others 

 engaged in the handling and storage of grain, forage, and foodstuffs 

 is drawn to the outbreak of bubonic plague in the Hoopstad District. 

 The disease is primarily a rat disease and infection is carried from 

 rat to man by fleas. There is serious danger of spread of the disease 

 by sick and dead rats in broken maize sacks, forage, etc., and as 

 maize in the affected area is now being collected, no time should be 

 lost in starting an anti-rat campaign by all persons concerned. Rats 

 and mice are a serious menace both as carriers of plague and as 

 destroyers of agricultural production, and farmers throughout tbe 

 •country are advised to keep their farms clear of them. 



