INTRODUCTION. V 



by greater attention to details, by promptitude in getting his 

 goods before the consumer, has succeeded in estabUshing a trade 

 which must now be reckoned in millions of pounds annually. 

 The foreign systems of management, of packing, of marketing 

 will be fully explained, so as to indicate wherein they are superior 

 to those in vogue here ; and from visits paid to these countries 

 whence we receive our greatest supplies, we shall be able to say 

 much that should be of value in developing this industry. The 

 appetite of Britain for eggs and poultry seems to be omnivorous 

 and ever-increasing. When Ireland is within three and a-half 

 hours of English ports, and the producer closer to the great 

 markets than is any foreign rival in point of time, it is surely a 

 serious reflection that money goes abroad to the extent of 

 ;^io,ooo per diem for eggs alone, almost all of which Irelana 

 might have secured if this question had been taken up a genera 

 tion ago. It is not, however, too late even now. The prices 

 obtained in London and the great English towns for guaranteed 

 fresh eggs are sufficient to make the trade very remunerative, if it 

 is organised; but if, as now, when eggs from Ireland are a week 

 or ten days old at least, ere they are offered for sale, these high 

 prices cannot be secured. We recently made inquiries as to some 

 kinds of French eggs, which are exposed for sale in London on tht 

 fourth day after being laid. If that can be done from Normandy, 

 why not from Connaught? This and other questions shall receive 

 T'lll consideration in due course. 



It is necessary, in approaching this subject of " Irish Poultry 

 Culture," to begin at the very commencement, for unless the fowls 

 used are of suitable breeds success cannot possibly be attained. 

 In this direction there is very much to be done, but unless it is 

 rightly done the full measure of success will not be realised. The 

 introduction of wrong breeds would be most injurious, and one most 

 important part of our inquiry has been to learn what experiments 

 have been made already, and their results. These will enable us 

 to s;»ggest varieties which will fit themselves to the conditions of 



