8 March, 1907.] Ex-port of Eggs. 161 



has been in this Hne for many years, and his success is too Avell -known 

 to need any comment. His system of feeding is a little more expensive 

 than that of the first-named breeders, but, on the other hand, the results 

 are better. Although the figures given are for the rearing of pure .stock 

 foi exhibition and breeding purposes, they can be applied eciuallv in the 

 case of rearing crossbred birds for table. The cost of feeding the duck- 

 lings reared by Mr. Briggs up to ten weeks old is estimated to be 2s. 6d. 

 per pair. The weight would average about 6 lbs. each, valued at 3s., at 

 6d. per lb. This amount, less the cost of eggs, feeding, attention, &c., 

 would leave a very satisfactory margin over the outlay. Wx. Briggs keeps 

 and feeds his stock on the most approved and up-to-date lines. The food 

 given is somewhat similar tO' that given by Messrs. Goldsmith and Coleman, 

 with the exception of blood meal, also lucerne and young green maize 

 chaff. The blood meal is used when they are three weeks old, and pro- 

 duces excellent results. A pound of blood meal mixed in the soft food 

 is given to each pen of twenty ducks about three or four times a week. 

 The lucerne and young green maize chaff are added regularly to the daily 

 food. All food is scalded and mixed with separated milk. Shade and 

 regularity in feeding are, in the opinion of Mr. Briggs, the most important 

 points in the rearing of ducklings, and he attributes his success, to a great 

 extent, to careful attention to these points. 



A Warning to Breeders. 



In conclusion I would call attention to the deterioration of ducks for 

 table purposes through being crossed with the Indian Runners. The 

 latter are certainly good layers, especially in the winter months, but they 

 are altogether a failure from a table point of view, and are sold at auction 

 for verv low prices. They are also useless as a cross with the larger 

 varieties, and breeders should be careful not to introduce an_. of their 

 blood ijito stock intended for breeding ducklings for table purposes or 

 export. 



EXPORT OF EGGS. 



The following report relative to the consignment of 305 cases of eggs 

 fiom Victoria, which arrived at London, per R.M.S. Britannia, in Decem- 

 ber last, has been received from Mr. P. T. Peppard, Inspector of Products, 

 through the Agent-General. A quantity of eggs from South Australia was 

 also carried by the same vessel: — 



" The e-^'-o-s were in cases containing 20 dozen each, and were packed 

 m cardboard'fillers and paper shavings. The South Australians substituted 

 kiln-dried husks for the paper shavings. The eggs were graded mto four 

 classes, namelv:— i. large brown; 2. brown; 3. large white; 4- white 

 In the South ' Australiian consignment the infertile eggs were packed 



separately. 



The eggs were carried between 33 and 38 degrees Fah., and there is 

 every reason for shippers to be pleased with their condition on arriynl. 



1315. 



F 



