1922.] Poultry Keeping in Gloucestershire. 



759 



In the case of young pigs, the chief point that arises is 

 whether it is possible to do without middlings, which prove 

 of such value to young pigs at the time of weaning. For such 

 a purpose a mixture of oats and wheat, half and half, ground 

 to a medium fine meal, might be used to replace middlings in 

 the ration. 



****** 



The following note has been communicated by Mr. J. L. 



Whytehead, one of the Ministry's Inspectors : — 



„ . , The County of Gloucester is rapidly 



Recent Advances . *, • 



in Poultr Kee in im P rovm S position as an egg producing 

 • • district. The breeds of poultry kept are 



in Gloucestershire. ^1-^1. j * 2 r ^ 



either the light breeds for egg production 



or the dual purpose breeds, and purely table breeds are rarely 

 seen. The Ministry's Egg and Day Old Chick Distribution 

 Scheme has been in operation in Gloucestershire for several 

 seasons and has no doubt helped to show the advantages of keep- 

 ing well bred stock. Under the scheme trap-nested stock of the 

 utility breeds, of hens and of ducks are obtainable by cottagers, 

 small-holders and allotment holders. 



Full advantage has been taken of the instruction in poultry 

 keeping provided by the County Agricultural Education Com- 

 mittee. During the last two winters evening lectures in 

 poultry keeping were given by the Poultry Instructor in widely 

 scattered districts, the days being spent in visits of advice. 

 Models of trap -nests, dry mash hoppers and drinking fountains, 

 made from materials which were practically waste, were ex- 

 hibited at every lecture and were often left behind to be copied 

 by poultry keepers in the district. At the end of each lecture 

 the names and addresses of those who wished to be visited were 

 noted. It gradually became known that a whole-time poultry 

 instructor was available, and the number of requests for advice, 

 for lectures, and for judging at local shows rapidly increased. A 

 stand is erected at the more important shows in the county 

 showing specimens of good and bad types of laying hens, good 

 and bad foods, appliances and samples of medicines, and visitors 

 are invited to ask questions. 



One result of the work done during the last two years is that 

 about 5,000 more hens are being trap-nested than was the case 

 previously. In many villages there are poultry keepers who can 

 produce the records of eggs laid by their hens, and in some cases 

 by their ducks. Many of these more advanced poultry keepers 

 are reaping a good reward. 



