1920.] Distribution of Sittings of Eggs. 



857 



of eggs, but there is evidence that an increased effort is being 

 made in many counties to cope with the demand. 



The prices of eggs and chicks and the subsidies to Station- 

 holders were fixed by the County Committees, and varied in 

 different counties. The highest and lowest prices charged are 

 stated in Table IV. The majority of the counties distributed 

 sittings at the minimum figure, and except in a few instances 

 the premium paid was 2s. The general price for chicks was 15s. 

 with a premium of 5s. 



In previous years a flat rate over the whole county was fixed 

 by the Ministry, but owing to the varying values in different 

 areas this did not prove altogether satisfactory. A price suitable 

 in the more progressive counties often proved too high in back- 

 ward areas, where education in the value of keeping better 

 quality poultry has not been widely diffused. 



An important result of the Scheme has been the greater atten- 

 tion given to the fact that the services of an Instructor in Poultry 

 Keeping, appointed by the County Council, are available for those 

 who require advice on the management of poultry. The possession 

 of poultry of better quality leads to the desire for knowledge of 

 better methods of management, and many poultry keepers are 

 glad to take advantage of the services of the Instructor in an 

 advisory capacity. 



The effect of the Scheme, therefore, has been, not only to 

 increase the numbers and improve the quality of poultry kept 

 throughout the country but also, by the encouragement given 

 to better methods of management, to increase production and 

 give larger financial returns. 



It is optional on the part of Local Authorities to put this 

 Scheme into operation, but where adopted the Ministry has 

 contributed two-thirds of the approved expenditure by the Local 

 Authorities on the Scheme. 



