10 June, 1916.] Fifth Egg-laying Competition, 1915-16. 



335 



a keen interest in the various tests, keeping a complete record of the 

 eggs produced daily irom the different pens, as well as putting down 

 many other important particulars in connexion with the tests. In this 

 way he supplied a fund of useful information of mucli value to poultry- 

 keepers generally. 



Although the competitions at Burnley have been very successful so 

 far as they have gone, there is one point in which an improvement might 

 be made. It is tlie indicating of the highest egg producing birds in any 

 one pen. When six birds are penned together, there is certain to be a 

 diffei'ence in their egg j^roduction, and as under the present system the 

 whole of the eggs from each pen are averaged, the best layer cannot be 

 indicated. This, in my opinion, is a mistake which should be remedied. 

 I would suggest that trap-nests or single pen testing be given a trial. 

 To instal the latter right through the whole of the tests would, perhaps, 

 be too costly, but it might be suggested that a few pens should be kept 

 under these conditions. The trap-nest system would not be so ex- 

 pensive, and it would, I think, be advantageous in many respects to give 

 this method a trial with portion of the competing birds in each test. 

 It would then be easy to indicate the best individual layers and make 

 a selection of the highest grade egg producers to improve the stock. 



In conclusion, I would again bring under notice the very favorable 

 conditions under which poultry-keeping can be carried on in this State, 

 either as an adjunct to farming, dairying, or fruit-,£frowing. At present 

 we are producing very little more eggs and poultry than is required for 

 Victoria's consumption. This is influenced to a great extent at the 

 moment by existing war conditions, but under normal conditions there 

 should be a very big surplus of both eggs and poultry in our State which 

 would be available for outside markets. The demand in England is 

 practically unlimited for these products. Witli suitable conditions in 

 packing and shipping, Victoria should, in the near future, participate 

 largely in the big yearly amounts which are distributed to other colonies 

 by England for both eggs and poultry. 



Owner. 



Total 

 numl)or of 

 esRS liiid. 



Average 

 number 

 per bird. 



Average market 



value at Is. 7d. 



per doz. 



£ s. 



LIGHT BREEDS. WET MASH. 



1. G. McDmncIl 



2. H. MoKciizic and Son. 

 :{. \\. M. Bivlcs 



1. \V. n. R .1)1. ins 



2. H. M(Ktiir/,i(! and Son. 

 .■{. A. A. Sandland 



1. (". E. < Iraliam 



2. Marvilli^ I'oiiltiv Kaiin 



3. E. W. Hippo 



