1922.] Acuicultural Research Scholarships. 



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Commercial Poultry Farming-. T.W. Toovey.] U is nov three 

 years since the first edition of Mr. Toovey's book was published, and the 

 present edition lias been entirely rewritten and many additional illustrations 

 have been included. A book of this nature cannot fail to be of great value 

 to all interested in commercial poultry farming, as it contains in detail and 

 in a very clear manner the methods employed at the King's Langley Poultry 

 Farm. Mr. Toovey has devoted many years to the study of this branch of 

 agriculture, which is a growing an important one in this country. 



In recent years commercial egg farms have sprung up all over the country, 

 but in nearly every case they have been modelled more or less on thr methods 

 employed in the United States and Canada, altered somewhat to suit climatic 

 variations on this side of the Atlantic. 



Mr. Toovey's system departs largely from the usual practice, and in many 

 ways may be said to be unique, especially so with regard to what are perhaps 

 the two most important branches, namely, hatching and rearing, on which the 

 success of a poultry farm so largely depends. Some 6,000 head of laying 

 stock are run on this farm and the whole of the hatching and rearing is carried 

 out by means of broody hens. To those unacquainted with the excellent 

 arrangements made by Mr. Toovey this method of hatching may appear a 

 difficult task, as indeed it Would be were it not for his system and the fact that 

 a considerable proportion of the stock consists of "heavy" or sitting-breeds 

 and first crosses. 



Two other items in Mr. Toovey's management also differ considerably from 

 the usual practice. The runs are entirely of grass and the soft mash feed contains 

 a high proportion of vegetables, a part of the farm being set apart for their 

 cultivation. The large scratching house system is employed for accommodating 

 the breeding and laying stock, but the unit per house has been kept down to 

 150 head in the case of unmated flocks and 75 for breeding stock. The 

 breeding stock have separate wired -in runs but the laying stock amounting to 

 some 5,000 birds are given free range in one large paddock. Mr. Toovey has 

 rendered great service to the poultry industry in the past by the very frank 

 way in which he has contributed to the Press, relating not only his successes 

 but the failures which he has at times encountered and successfully overcome. 

 In particular the two last chapters in Mr. Toovey's book should be read by 

 every intending poultry farmer. These two chapters deal with the economics 

 of poultry keeping based on the author's experience, and also express his views 

 as to the future part to be played by the poultry industry in general agriculture. 

 These views should prove of considerable interest to British agriculturists. 



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Agricultural Research Scholarships.— The Ministry invites 

 applications for research scholarships in agricultural science. The number to- 

 be awarded will depend upon the qualifications of candidates and w ill not in 

 any case exceed five. The scholarships are tenable for three years from 

 1st October, 1922, and are of the value of .€"200 per annum. 



Applications must be received not later than loth July. 1922, and must he 

 made on the prescribed form, which, together with a copy of the conditions 

 attaching to these scholarships, may be obtained from the Secretary, Mini-try 

 of Agriculture, Whitehall Place, S.W.I. 



