124 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



costs the farmers were returned i^ cents per lb. in addition to the 

 8 cents advanced at purchase. This system had been successfully 

 established in other districts. Alberta has now engaged an expert 

 to devote his whole time to the development of poultry-keeping in 

 the Province. Throughout the whole of the North-west Provinces 

 poultry stock keep remarkably healthy. The wet weather in the 

 hatching season, particularly in June, is probably the worst handicap 

 the farmers have to contend with, but this might probably be 

 obviated by earlier hatching and by a little more attention to 

 housing. 



In British Columbia the opportunities for poultry-keeping are 

 most inviting. In fact, almost ideal conditions exist for this 

 industry in the fine climate, associated often with excellent soil and 

 unlimited shelter. When to these natural advantages is added 

 a splendid home market for the produce in the mining districts and 

 in Vancouver, the wonder is that much more is not done in this 

 direction. As in Nova Scotia the fruit orchards might most judi- 

 ciously be more extensively used as chicken nurseries. Feed is 

 certainly higher, but this only relates to grains, and after all, fowls 

 in such conditions as usually predominate in British Columbia can 

 be kept at a moderate cost. At Agassiz Experimental Farm there 

 is a poultry branch which distributes a considerable number of eggs 

 and cockerels. In Vancouver Island, where fruit-growdng and 

 market-gardening are extensively gone into, it is the custom to keep 

 flocks of fowls in conjunction with these two industries. The 

 Okanagan Valley and other districts of the same kind present most 

 favourable opportunities for the development of this industry. 

 Looking at all the circumstances there seems no reason why British 

 Columbia should not supply her own markets with poultry produce 

 as well as export a surplus, rather than have to import it as at 

 present. 



Housing 



The united testimony gathered from all experimental farms, 

 and other reliable sources, agrees in the essential principles of 

 housing. It must be borne in mind that the winter over the greater 

 part of Canada lasts at least four months, and that the tempera- 

 ture falls occasionally to 40 or 45 degrees below zero, while the 

 thermometer often registers 100 degrees in summer. The variations 

 of temperature are accordingly much greater than in Britain. The 

 housing problem is, therefore; one of the utmost importance. One 

 of the recognised essentials then is light ; at least one -third part 

 of the south, or front end of the house, should be of glass or open to 

 the sun. Abundance of fresh air is of equal importance ; this is 

 secured by having the front of the house almost entirely open, 

 but protected in extreme weather by cotton curtains or sliding 

 glass windows. The open front with sides, back and roof tight, 

 gives plenty of fresh air without draught or through ventilation. 

 The minimum depth of a house of this kind should not be under 

 8 feet, with the perches low and close to the back. An additional 



