1920.] 



Incubating Stations. 



1227 



per acre. Long Red^^rnangolds, however, are more difficult 

 to remove from the ground, owing to the greater depth of the 

 roots. 



About I J acres of mangolds are grown annually at Cockle 

 Park, and are found of great value for ewes and lambs during 

 the months of April and May. While mangolds are not quite 

 so suitable for our northern cHmate as are swedes and turnips, 

 their value for the purpose indicated and their keeping propsr- 

 ties make them a very useful crop when a small area can be 

 grown successfully. 



Mr. H. C. Pawson has given much help in the preparation 

 of this report. 



INCUBATING STATIONS. 



The five Breeding or " Incubating " Stations which form part 

 of the Ministry's Scheme for the Improvement of Poultry 

 Stock were established in 1916 or 191 7,* and the time has 

 now arrived, therefore, when it is possible to review with 

 advantage the results which have been obtained. The sites 

 for the Stations were selected in the following counties : — 



Anglesey, at Lledwigan, near Llangefni. 



Carnarvon, at Madryn Castle Farm School, near Pwllheli. 



Denbigh, at Lleweni Hall, Denbigh. 



Cheshire, at HenhuU Hall, Nantwich. 



Cornwall, at Kernock, St. Mellion. 



The main purpose of the Stations has been to distribute day- 

 old chickens to small holders and cottagers, and, in addition, 

 to supply applicants with sittings of eggs and stock birds from 

 any surplus not required at the Station. Consistent with 

 rendering the Station self-supporting the price of stock was 

 fixed as low as possible, so as to encourage applications from 

 poultry keepers who were unable to appreciate the value of 

 better quality poultry. 



The sites chosen were in districts in which this work would 

 be likely to meet the greatest need and where facilities existed 

 which allowed an economical arrangement to be made. 



The Stations were placed under the supervision of the County 

 Council Authorities, to whom a grant was made annually for 

 the employment of an official to take charge of the work and 

 to make any special arrangement which might be necessary 



* Particulars of the Scheme and of the Incubating Stations u-cre published 

 in this Journal, April, 1916, p. 72, and O-tob.r, 1916, pp. 685 and 70^, and 

 an account of the working of the scheme during 191 7-1 8 in the issue for 

 December, 1918, p. 1106. 



