328 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 June, 1918. 



Queensland. He says, " The type of the competing hirds was most 

 variable, and shows most emphatically that severe steps must be taken 

 to save some of the breeds from losing every resemblance to the standard. 

 A number of the competitors seem to be under the impression that when 

 more size and closer approach to the standard were asked for, Avhat was 

 required was the biggest, and often the coarsest birds they could find 

 in their yards were sent along. The consequence has been more broodi- 

 ness, bad laying averages, and keen disappointment." 



Price of Eggs and Poultry. 



The price of eggs is now very high, but as the season advances, large 

 flocks of pullets and hens will come into full profit on the poultry- 

 farms throughout the State. Almost every year, during the spring 

 and summer months, the supply of eggs produced here is in excess of 





Flock of Utility Pullets, hatched in September in order to avoid Second 

 Moult and to insure Winter Eggs. 



the quantity required to meet local normal needs. The graph on page 

 327 shows the highest wholesale price per dozen during the period of the 

 last competitions at Burnley. From it the reader will see at a glance the 

 high price of eggs from the beginning of the competitions in April, and 

 during the month of May, and the gradual decline in the month of 

 October, when eggs were worth only Bid. per dozen. 



The problem to be solved is how to dispose of the excess at a rate 

 that will be satisfactory to the poultry-farmer. "With new-laid eggs 

 selling in England at 5d. each at present, it would seem that there is 

 a market for Victorian surplus eggs; but, owing to the difficulties in 

 transport now obtaining, the question of selling in the markets of the 

 Mother Country must be held over. However, when peace once more 

 returns, the matter of sending eggs overseas in cold storage is one that 

 is certain to come up for consideration. 



