ioDec, 1908.] Bacchus Marsh Poultry Fann Competition. 763 



dry litter and it is here tliat the birds have to work for their food. In 

 the other corner is seen a neat house in which sand and ashes are placed — 

 this is the winter dust bath. 



The breeds kept consist of Silver and White Wyandottes and Black 

 Minorcas — all useful birds for utility purposes. They are a nice, even 

 lot of good type and fair colour and are healthy and vigorous. During 

 the spring and summer, access is occasionally given to a strip of lucerne 

 which, being irrigated, provides the necessary green fodder. 



To sum up Mr. Alkemade's farm. It is an ideal spot, is easy to 

 drain, is replete with almost every detail, is scrupulously clean, everything 

 is in its place (except in the first pen), and the houses and utensils are 

 well made. Above all, Mr. and Mrs. Alkemade are enthusiasts. The 

 area is scarcelv large enough to accommodate sufficient fowls to carry on 

 poultry farming as a distinct calling. I understand that with the owner 

 it is more of a hobby than a business concern ; at the same time, great 

 credit is due to him and the farm is worthy of a visit from those inter- 

 ested in poultry culture. It is admitted that many keep poultry as a hobby, 

 but what better tonic can a man or woman have than the care of farm 

 animals? To the housewife, it breaks the monotony of indoor life; to the 

 children, it fosters a feeling of love and svmpathy, and makes men and 

 women of them. Would that the average farmer encouraged his boys and 

 girls to make home life more acceptable by Aviculture or floriculture. 



Returning from Coimadai, and close to Bacchus Marsh, we drew up 

 at Mr. Casper's homestead which would not be classed with the one 

 already described, althoug^h the methods adopted aie somewhat new. 

 The pens are made on the hurdle principle, with neat portable hou.ses 

 which are easily moved on sledge skids. The space occupied by each 

 pen is 20 X 20. It is wired in top and bottom and as there are 16 birds 

 kept in each enclosure little or no food is picked up, so they are fed twice 

 daily. With 50 birds of a first class laying strain of Brown and White 

 Leghorns, a profit of 40 per cent, on the food cost is being made. Adjoin- 

 ing the farm is half an acre under crop which will be a great saving 

 should feed remain at present prices. 



Mr. Casper has commenced well. His system is a good one, permittirig 

 the birds to have a change of ground. Tainted soil usually results in 

 trouble, and this is obviated on the farm in question. 



On the outskirts of the town, Mr. E. E. Palmer occupies a small 

 area. The accommodation is as yet very primitive; in fact, not fit to be 

 considered with the others, save for the fine specimens of Black and 

 Buff Orpingtons and old English Game found there. The latter are of 

 fair size and in good condition. Although only fair layers, thev make 

 large plump-breasted table fowls, especially when crossed with Dorking 

 or Bufl" Orpington hens. It is understood that Mr. Palmer intends re- 

 modelling his yards. If so, it will be distinctly advantageous to remove 

 the large shed^ otherwise vermin will be troublesome for years to come. 

 Large buildings are not required— small flocks and small houses (well 

 ventilated and facing the east) are requisites when poultry farming. The 

 more cumbersome the house, the greater the difficulties. 



To the south-west, in beautiful undulating country and surrounded by 

 huge gums, is the farm of Mr. Robert Dickson. It is a pretty farm, greatly 

 in advance of most of those in the competition. ^\r. Dickson farms 

 poultrv for profit and he has succeeded admirably, by a wise selection of 

 site — gentle easterly slope with well laid out pens of 70 x 30 each. 

 Uniformity has been his watchword and the result is excellent. A feature 



