8 



It is upon the farm, the orchard, the vineyard, &c., that poultry 

 raising will be found to pay best, for no extra ]a,bour has to be 

 employed. 



For instance, the best breeds have first to be selected, whether 

 they be for eggs or table purposes ; then proper attention has 

 to be paid to feeding, hatching, raising, fattening, &c. 



One of the principal points which the inexperienced breeder 

 must have impressed on his mind is- the necessity for economy in 

 every department of the poultry yard. 



Perhaps no department of the farm takes less capital to begin 

 than poultry, yet the returns are rapid, and, to the small farmer, 

 this is a matter of much importance. 



Teiai Shipments. 



The three trial shipments of poultry, sent to London under the 

 surpervision of the Department of Agriculture, have proved that 

 our produce will command a ready sale so long as it is of good 

 quality. Very short notice was given to breeders that the 

 Department of Agriculture intended to supervise the shipments 

 of dressed poultry, consequently none of the birds sent home 

 were specially prepared or fattened, and the three trial shipments 

 caH be set down as ordinary farm or market poultry. 



When Victorian farmers are thoroughly alive to the importance 

 of poultry as an industry, and have grasped the methods used in 

 breeding, the shipments which leave our shores should be superior 

 to those which were sent to test the English markets, and which 

 realized the following prices : — 



Ducks ... ... ... 10s. per pair. 



Chickens ... ... ... 8s. „ 



The farmers have an unlimited {[market in England, and they 

 have a great future before them in the poultry industry. 



Housing and Accommodation. 



The first consideration is to select a good dry position, with as 

 much fall as possible, on which to erect the poultry-house and 

 breeding pens. 



Good dry runs are a necessity, especially in the winter months, 

 and are of as much importance as shelter in the hot summer 

 weather. 



