1920.] 



DlSTRIBrTION OF SITTINGS OF EgGS. 



855 



county. The supply is mainly intended for small holders and 

 cottagers, but distribution may be extended to other persons 

 engaged in rural pursuits. 



Breeders of pure bred poultry resident in the county are 

 appointed as Stationholders annually, to distribute from 

 selected stock to applicants within the county areas. In addition 

 to the price paid for eggs or chicks, the Stationholder receives 

 from the Local Authority at the end of the season a small subsidy 

 per dozen eggs and chicks sold. Stationholders are selected by the 

 Local Authorities, following a preliminary inspection of stations, 

 but the sanction of the Ministry to the appointments is required. 

 The County Instructor is responsible for selecting and approving 

 the birds from which distribution is permitted, and for the 

 regular supervision of the work of the Station. 



Apphcations for a supply of eggs or chicks may be forwarded 

 either to the Agricultural Organiser for the county or to a 

 Stationholder direct. Under the conditions of the Scheme no 

 applicant is permitted to receive more than 4 dozen hen eggs, 

 4 dozen duck eggs, and 2 dozen chicks ; in some counties a lower 

 maximum is fixed. 



Full details of the Scheme in each county are issued in the 

 form of a leaflet, and particulars are advertised by County 

 Council. 



Distribution in 1920. — Distribution of eggs began on 15th 

 January and of chicks on 15th February, and concluded on 15th 

 May in the case of eggs and 31st May in the case of chicks. The 

 largest demand occurred from March onwards, the majority of 

 applicants being dependant on natural methods for hatching and 

 rearing. 



Although the total number of Stations had been augmented 

 only by 12 over last season, considerably more eggs and chickens 

 were distributed. The number of sittings of eggs supplied has 

 nearly trebled, while the supply of chicks has increased seven- 

 fold. This improvement is no doubt due in some measure to 

 the removal of the restriction limiting the supply from individual 

 Stations and to the extended facilities provided for the distribu- 

 tion of chicks, but it may also be attributed to a growing appre- 

 ciation by poultry keepers of the benefits of the Scheme. 



The figures in the following tables will enable an estimate 

 to be formed of the work of the Stations during the season 

 1920 :— 



B 2 



