1907.] Transport of Sussex Poultry. 



473 



fattening process the fat birds, which constitute the finished 

 article, must be conveyed to market at a further addition to- 

 the supplementary cost. 



The conduct of this section of the work is almost entirely 

 in the hands of two hrms of carriers, working from two 

 centres of railway departure. The dead poultry is forwarded 

 in " pads " or crates made with willow frames and staves and 

 lined with deal board ; the usual sizes are to hold 12, 16, 20,. 

 or 24 fowls. The pads are strong and not unduly heavy for 

 their purpose and constant transit, but the consignor does not 



"flat" and "top" used for conveyance of poultry. 



concern himself with the question of weight, paying for the 

 carriage to market according to the number of fowls sent. 

 The carriers charge a uniform rate of id. per bird, this charge 

 covering the transport by road and rail from the fattener's 

 establishment to the salesman's stall in the market, and the 

 return of all empties. As a matter of fact this charge is not 

 paid by the consignor direct, but is paid on his account and 

 deducted, together with the commission, by the market salesman. 



The carriers have an arrangement with the railway company 

 by which special poultry vans leave the local stations attached 

 to passenger trains, and the railway charges are settled between 



