1908J 



Miscellaneous Notes. 



631 



p. 181). The main difference is that no straw is used. The lowest layer is formed 

 of dry lime, quicklime if possible, to prevent roots passing upward through the lining. 

 The thickness is about 3 in. On this is laid about 1 in. of fine gravel, and a bed of 

 about 9 in. of well-tempered clay forms the water-tight lining. It is covered by 2 in. 

 or 3 in. of gravel, on which is laid stone pitchers. The joints of the stones are 

 carefully filled with gravel, and the " mere " is complete. It is stated that there are 

 dozens on the hills, and that they appear to be efficient. 



State Assistance to the Poultry Industry in France, Belgium and Denmark. — The 

 Board have received through the Foreign Office some information obtained by Consuls 

 with regard to the assistance afforded to the poultry industry in several foreign 

 countries. 



No subventions are given to model poultry farms in France, but there exists a 

 Government Poultry School at Gambais. This school, besides giving instruction 

 in poultry-keeping to young farmers, &c, is intended specially to train men 

 qualified to undertake the management of poultry farms which will serve as 

 examples to other farmers and as centres for the encouragement of the poultry 

 industry. Three courses are given annually, each extending over three months, male 

 and female pupils being received at alternative courses. The charge for instruction, 

 including board and lodging, is £i\ for the period of three months. Two lectures 

 are given weekly, while the rest of the time is devoted to practical instruction in 

 incubation, breeding, fattening, packing, marketing, &c. 



No other special encouragement is given to poultry-keeping, but this industry 

 shares with other branches of agriculture the advantages afforded to societies in the 

 way of prizes, loans, &c. Some of the railway companies have granted special rates 

 for poultry. 



Apart from some educational facilities, very little is done for the poultry 

 industry in Belgium. Subsidies are given to poultry societies amounting to about 

 ^"400 a year, and a few provincial societies distribute pure-bred stock and sittings 

 of eggs, but the practice has not proved successful. A sum of about ,£220 is 

 granted each year by the State for the purpose of giving lectures to farmers on 

 questions relating to poultry. These lectures are free, and are arranged for locally 

 by the poultry societies as provided in the Regulations of the Department of 

 Agriculture. Courses in poultry keeping are also given at the agricultural schools. 

 A large number of exhibitions are organized annually by poultry societies, and the 

 State bears one-third of the cost. 



A sum of ,£666 was granted by the Danish Government in 1906-7 for the develop- 

 ment of poultry-keeping. This amount is distributed amongst three societies, who 

 have altogether 8,000 members. These societies arrange the distribution of pure-bred 

 stock and sittings of eggs to the members who are generally people of small means in 

 the country. The societies issue fortnightly periodicals to their members, and each of 

 them keeps an instructor. The State grant was formerly £"500, but has been 

 increased owing to the growth of the industry. As regards transport, eggs are carried 

 by express trains at the rate charged for slow trains. 



Agricultural Machinery in Btdgaria. — H.M. Vice-Consul at Sofia states that a 

 considerable quantity of British machinery for agricultural purposes was imported in 

 1906, and, as the State now helps the peasant to purchase up-to-date machines for 

 reaping, threshing, &c. , by making him advances on his land, produce and stock; it 

 may be hoped that there will be a still greater demand for this class of goods from the 

 United Kingdom. {Board of Trade Journal, 28th November, 1907.) 



Importation of Hams and Bacon into Brazil. — H.M. Consul at Santos (Mr. R. 

 Casement, C.M.G.) reports that hams are imported into that port chiefly from the 

 United Kingdom, and that an opening certainly exists for the extension of this trade, 

 wherein Irish dealers might profitably share. So, too, with bacon, which at present 

 is chiefly imported from the United States. There is, adds the Consul, a distinct 

 want of food-stuffs of this kind in Santos and Sao Paulo. {Board of Trade Journal, 

 28th November, 1907.) 



