1921.] Breeding and Rearing of Turkeys. 1129 



fatten easily, might clearly be claimed as a purely English 

 variety of the turkey, but owing to lack of care in breeding, 

 very few specimens of this breed are now to be found. While 

 the White turkey alternately termed the " Austrian," and in 

 America the " Holland," is to some extent bred in this country r 

 it does not enjoy the popularity of the Bronze. It has 

 frequently been stated that the White turkey is delicate con- 

 stitutionally, but this is largely prejudice, and the real explana- 

 tion of its lack of popularity is probably to be found in its 

 smaller size compared with the Bronze. In reality it is a 

 hardy bird of very good table quality. The Buff turkey has no 

 special claims for the attention of breeders for market purposes. 



The Present Position. — Turkey breeding has been slowly but 

 steadily increasing in England and Wales, but to meet the 

 growing demand the increase of imported birds from Ireland 

 and from Europe has been far greater in proportion. During 

 the war period the breeding of turkeys declined, both in this 

 country and in Europe, indeed in some of the southern 

 countries it must have almost ceased, and until the past 

 season of 1920 the importation of foreign turkeys for the 

 Christmas markets was at a very low level. Rapid recovery 

 in breeding can be made as with all classes of poultry stock, and 

 although there was no evidence of a renewal by a return of 

 Italian and Austrian turkeys to our markets, the supplies from 

 France last Christmas exceeded early expectations. In 

 England there was evidence of a considerable increase in 

 rearing during 1920. Large quantities of birds came from 

 Ireland last Christmastide, although the unsettled conditions 

 in that country upset and probably decreased the supplies. 



The uncertainty of the supplies available, and the inflated 

 ideas of values resulted in the fixing of a higher value on the 

 turkey last Christmas than the public would pay, and in spite of 

 their popularity at this season, the high price seriously affected 

 the demand for turkeys. The producers had been misled to some 

 extent by the buyers who were anxious to ensure supplies for 

 their more wealthy customers irrespective of cost. The sudden 

 fall in price at the last moment was due largely to the holding 

 up of supplies for the sake of the high prices, and the result 

 was unfortunate for some, while others reaped the benefit. With 

 the gradual return to more normal conditions and prices, it is 

 to be anticipated that the demand will become more measur- 

 able and steady, and the apparent slump which occurred this 

 season cannot be taken as an indication of over production. 



