10 Dec, 1918.] Docs Poultry Farming Pay? 753 



63. 8d. per bird, however, is not net profit, because the cost of rearing 

 to the laying stage usually exceeds the market value of the light-breed 

 birth after her laying year, and no allowance has been made for interest 

 on capital expended on house, land, shedding, and equipment, nor, in 

 the case of light breeds, for the cockerels, which at times fail to realize 

 the actual expenditure upon them. Probably, therefore, it is much 

 more reasonable to assess the real profits at 5s. per bird over the entire 

 aock. 



This estimate will eventually prove of greater value to the industry 

 than any higher one that could be made, as it should not only act as a 

 wholesome check upon the inexperienced speculator, who is easily 

 carried away by incorrectly worded pamphlets, but also act as an 

 inducement to every one to keep, at least, a few fowls, if only for the 

 profitable nature of this undertaking. The suburban dweller using 

 household scraps can materially reduce the feed bill thereby, and no 

 farm should ever be considered complete without, at least, 100 or 150 

 fowls. There are a large number of suburban homes which are actually 

 being paid for by the profits made from poultry, while the wages earned 

 are meeting household expenses. 



When the United States of America declared war, the sum of £30,000 

 was at once appropriated for itinerant lecturers to develop the poultry 

 industry alone, which was then worth £140,000,000 per year, or, roughly, 

 28s. per head of population. In Victoria, the industry is worth about 

 £2,146,000, or, roughly, 30s. per head of the population, and the expenses 

 connected with the industry have been drastically curtailed since the 

 war. 



{To he continued.) 



Eczema in farm horses is a non-parasitic disease of the true skin, 

 caused by pressure or chafing of saddle or harness, especially at the 

 time of change of coat; extremes of heat or cold, exposure to wet, want 

 of cleanliness, bad feeding, and constitutional disturbance. These 

 produce inflammation of the underskin or dermis, as distinguished from 

 the outer skin or epidermis. The symptoms are small nodules on 

 which the hair stands upright and becomes knotted; scabs form, which 

 become detached, and leave bare patches; the irritation is great, and 

 rubbing makes it worse. Eczema may attack the mane or tail, while 

 grease and mud fever are simply forms of the same disease. The 

 scabs should be softened with glycerine, then washed with warm water 

 and hard soap. After drying thoroughly, a lotion composed of one 

 part each of lead acetate and zinc sulphate in 40 parts of water should 

 be applied. If this does not cause a change, an application of oil of 

 tar is recommended by a veterinary surgeon. A change of food and 

 provision for shelter should be made. As the system is generally out 

 of order, a ball should be given and followed up by soda hyposulphite 

 i oz. twice a day. If the system is badly deranged, Fowler's solution 

 of arsenic, 2 to 8 drams, may be given, and sulphur, 2 oz. to 4oz., 

 added to mash of gruel once a day. The horse should be kept clean 

 during treatment by grooming. — The Australcbsian. 



