1909.] The Poultry Industry in Germany. 



23 



condition that they are used for four months in the year and 

 a report supplied on the results. 



Plans of poultry houses, rearers, &c, and also account 

 books, egg records, &c, are published by many of the 

 Chambers. The formation of utility poultry clubs and shows 

 is encouraged. 



An interesting type of association has been introduced in 

 Saxony and Baden for the co-operative sale of fowls and 

 eggs, together with the supply of pure-bred fowls to members. 

 The essential feature, however, of these societies is that the 

 members strictly confine themselves to one breed of fowl, in 

 the belief that by the uniformity thus obtained greater 

 facilities for sale will be obtained, as well as a general im- 

 provement in other ways. Uniform rules for breeding, 

 feeding, and management are laid down, and the co-operative 

 purchase of feeding stuffs, implements, &c, is undertaken. 



In this connection it may be noted that the introduction 

 of societies of this kind is regarded as the best means of 

 promoting the fattening industry, which at present is not 

 very greatly developed. As is well known, success in poultry 

 fattening on a large scale can only be attained by a division 

 of work, and in many districts the foundation for successful 

 fattening does not exist, that is to say, a suitable breed is not 

 kept in the adjoining districts in sufficient numbers to provide 

 a fattening establishment at all times with a regular supply 

 of young fowls. The establishment of societies such as those 

 mentioned above is suggested as the best means of organising 

 a fattening industry in any locality. 



Co-operative Egg Societies. — The poultry industry in 

 Germany has undoubtedly been very greatly stimulated by 

 the successful formation of co-operative associations for the 

 sale of eggs. There were, in 1907, 314 of these associations, 

 besides a number of societies not exclusively egg societies. 

 The sales in 1906 by these 314 associations amounted to 

 41,219,000, the two main districts being Hanover, where 

 the sales amounted to 22,100,000, and Oldenburg, which 

 accounted for 12,657,000. 



The first Egg Association in Hanover was formed in 1895, 

 and in 1907 there were 138 such associations. The main 

 points insisted on are : (1) Each member is bound to supply 



