106 REPORT OP THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



Considerable improvement has taken place by the introduction of 

 the Indian Kunner variety of ducks, which give such a good 

 return in eggs, and which so readily forage for themselves. The 

 general housing could be improved, and much greater advantage 

 taken of the colony system. Although this colony system of 

 putting birds out in movable houses in the fields and beside 

 hedgerows has not made very rapid progress, in some counties 

 there is evidence of steady advancement. 



Whilst saying that Ireland has still a great deal to do, it must 

 be admitted that she has done a great deal. There seems a 

 general tendency in most counties to improve the type of fowls 

 kept, and the varieties selected for this purpose are the White 

 Leghorn and Minorca to improve the laying breeds, and the Buff 

 Orpington and Plymouth Kock for the general purpose breeds. 

 Faverolles and White Wyandottes are also a good deal used and 

 have given good results. To assist the development of the 

 poultry industry the Department of Agriculture and Technical 

 Instruction spent last year £9915, distributed as follows : — 



£9,915 



The scheme approved by the Department and carried out by 

 the County Committees for the encouragement and development 

 of poultry-keeping is briefly as follows : — 



Itinerant Instructor 



The Department is prepared, provided a suitable instructor in 

 poultry-keeping be obtained, to approve of at least one such person 

 for each county in Ireland, whose duty it will be to deliver courses 

 of lectures on poultry-keeping, including the selection of breeds ; 

 the hatching and rearing of chickens ; the feeding, housing, and 

 cramming of fowls ; the plucking, trussing, and preparation of 

 them for market ; and the grading, packing, and marketing of 

 produce. The instructor will visit poultry runs in the district in 

 which he is lecturing, and give such information as the circum- 

 stances may suggest. He will also visit all egg distribution 

 stations in the county, at least four times between October and 

 April. 



Distribution of Settings of Eggs of Pure Breeds 



Hens and Ducks 



In counties where an instructor in poultry-keeping has been 

 provided, the Department is prepared to sanction a limited number 

 of premiums of £5 each being awarded to selected applicants who 



