462 Economic Position of Poultry Industry. [Aug., 



eggs or table poultry. Its weakness is in its low winter output of 

 eggs, but all the signs indicate that farm poultry will be more 

 profitable in the future than in the past. 



One of the effects of the War has been to stabilise commercial 

 poultry farming for egg production. This branch of the industry 

 has now assumed a firmer position, owing to the more general 

 r.doption of proper methods and to the enhanced prices which 

 are obtained for produce. Great progress has been made and 

 will most likely continue to be made, but there is yet much to 

 learn. Many problems are unsolved. Results will largely depend 

 upon a higher average production. The principal difficulty 

 for those taking up the business at the present time arises from 

 the high cost of equipment, and until prices of materials fall 

 very considerably capital expenditure will be heavy. Domestic 

 poultry, whether owned by residents in towns or country, have 

 increased largely of late years. Small individually, in the 

 aggregate this source of supplv is very appreciable, and is capable 

 of enormous extension. Economically, this aspect of the industry 

 is one of the most promising. 



The hif(h prices obtainable for stock may be held to have 

 considerably strengthened the position of breeding farms. 

 Prices have increased by 200 to 400 per cent., and there is a 

 considerable demand. Poultry breeding, which was always the 

 best paying branch of the poultry industry, has during the last 

 three years attained still greater importance. The day-old chick 

 trade has also increased very largely, and more breeding farms 

 and hatching stations are likely to be required as poultry keeping 

 increases. It may also be mentioned that the importance of 

 paying regard to utilitarian qualities in exhibition poultry is now 

 recognised to a greater extent. 



During recent years knowledge of the principles underlying 

 poultry breeding and management has been acquired as the 

 result of wider experience and more careful study of the problems 

 involved. There is, however, still a comparative lack of know- 

 ledge, and in particular there is need for the extension and 

 development of scientific experimental work, and inquiry into 

 the causes and prevention of disease. The two main purposes 

 of the promised National Poultry Institute should be (1) experi- 

 mental work of the nature indicated : and (2) the training of 

 Instructors, who in turn will be able to teach farmers and 

 managers of, or workers on, larger poultry farms advanced and 

 more profitable methods. Efficient training and instruction 

 among our rural population, both men and women, as assistants 

 to farmers and others, is required. 



