8 June, 1907.] Dookie Egg-laying Competition. 359 



there was a variation in price between large brown and ordinary brown eggs 

 of 2jd. per dozen, and between large white and ordinarv-sized white eggs 

 of 2 i-iod. per dozen. The larger eggs of the consignment averaged 

 27 1 oz. per dozen; the smaller ones weighed not less than 26 ozs. per 

 dozen, though the eggs of other consignees may have weighed less. Size 

 also must influence the careful buyer, provided the eggs are fresh and 

 clean, and therefore, though in a general wav size ma\ not appear to 

 influence the price, yet indirectlv it does, esi>eciailv if the eggs are under 

 24 oz. to the dt.-zen. Where white eggs and brown bring relativelv the 

 same price. colo'Ur <if eggs has little influencf, but in England the trial 

 consignment exjjorted has demonstrated that colour is a practical con- 

 sideration, and that it represents an increase of 9 per cent., or 1 1-5CI. per 

 dozen on the prices of each kind. Fortunateh , the laying competitions 

 have definitely pointed out that the breeds laying brown eggs can be 

 brought to a high state of prolificness, and, in fact, hold their own in 

 many instances with the Leghorns. 



The feeding arrangements have been somewhat similar to those of the 

 first competition held here. The meat supplv was not quite so good as it 

 might have been for a part of the time, owing to the difficulty of obtaining 

 it. Dried blood was used in lieu of the meat, but it did not act as satisfac- 

 torily, for the returns during its use were diminished. Hran, pollard, meat 

 scraps and soaked chaffed lucerne hav or ordinarx wheaten or oaten chaff 

 formed the ingredients of the morning mash except in these instances, when 

 dried blood was used as a substitute for the meat. Meat uncioubtedlv is a 

 great stimulant to heavy laving, and there is no doubt with more available 

 there would have been a marked impro\'ement in the totals of some of 

 the pens. The evening meal was essentiallv wheat, but occasional Iv oats 

 and barlev were mixed with it. The cost of food per bird was 4s. gd. 

 The total number of eggs laid by the 53 pens was 50,799, and the price 

 received for them ;^209 5s. After deducting the cost of food, there re- 

 mains a balance of ^133 14s. 6d. as wages and profit. 



The climatic conditions have not been as conduci\-e to good laving, it 

 being a more rainy season, with alternations of cold and heat. The soil 

 being of a somewhat heavy nature, with rather much clav in it, has other 

 disadvantages. However, the heat has not l)een so o])pressive as in former 

 years, and so there were some compensating advantages. The mo-rtalitv 

 Avas less than usual, there being a few from ovarian troubles and a few from 

 poisoned sparrows falling into the pens. Odd birds have suffered from 

 bumble feet, and others again, as I have alreadv notified, were consti- 

 tutionally weak, and though they did not die, never looked well. These 

 latter generally had incipient roup on arrival at the College. Some birds 

 had scalv legs. 



The prizes were distributed as follow : — 



Tlic greatest number of eggs laid during tlie year i st May to 30th 

 A,pril. — TSt prize. jQi2, H. Bunneman ; 2nd prize. ^"8. Ross Bros. ; 3rd 

 prize. ^5, W. Banner ; 4th prize, ^3, W. H. Sherwill ; 5th prize, ^2. 

 E. J. Wheel don : 6th prize, '£1, Mrs. G. Sherwill. 



Winter Test.— -Greatest mimhef of eggs 'laid from i st I\/ay to 31st 

 August. — ist prize, £^, W. H. Sherwill; 2nd prize, ^3. H. Bunneman; 

 3rd prize, £2, P. O'Doonell. 



Greatest zu'eigJit of eggs laid. — ist prize, £4, H. Bunneman; 2nd prize, 

 £2. Ross Bros. ; 3rd [)rize, ^i. W. Banner. 



Greatest market value of eggs laid. — rst prize, ^4, H. liunneman ; 2nd 

 prize, £2, W. H. Sherwill; 3rd prize, Xi, W. Banner. 



