Part L] REPORT OF SECRETARY. 35 



poultry line than in the dairy business, and undoubtedly we can 

 recover more quickly. 



The early spring tendency of our poultrymen was to curtail 

 as far as possible in hatching, but upon being urged to increase 

 the stock of birds, many incubator plants, which had suspended 

 operations temporarily, went back to hatching, and about the 

 usual number of chickens were brought out. 



Feed prices did not materially change, however, and flock 

 after flock has been entirely disposed of, while others have been 

 greatly reduced. There are very few flocks in the State now 

 numbering 1,000 birds. On the other hand, dressed poultry in 

 enormous quantities is in cold storage, and is to-day one of the 

 cheapest forms of food. 



Whether or not this policy of entirely retiring from the 

 poultry business is a wise one is very difficult to say. Here, 

 again, the question of costs and profit enters very largely, 

 and it is impossible for us to advocate that this business be 

 conducted at a loss. The outlook for. fresh eggs this winter 

 is not promising, and even the increased prices are not stim- 

 ulating production greatly. It is doubtful if eggs at $1 per 

 dozen would much more than pay costs of production this 

 year. 



The outlook for hatching eggs this coming spring points to a 

 great shortage and consequent high prices, and to those persons 

 who can afford to stand the loss during the winter months, is 

 undoubtedly offered a fair return. 



This year, probably for the first time, eggs have been brought 

 from China in a fresh state, and dealers who handled them 

 say that these were received in very good condition. This 

 brings another problem before our now already overburdened 

 poultryman, in that competition from such far-distant countries 

 is likely to aftect his market. Dried eggs have been coming 

 from China for a good many years, and it may have a decided 

 influence upon our poultry business in the future. 



As a conservation measure, more eggs were put down in 

 waterglass this year than ever before, and this form of preserva- 

 tion seems to be becoming more popular each year. Its effect is 

 certainly to steady the egg market during the season of low 

 prices, and should be commended. The same principle of con- 



