1910.] Poultry Industry in Belgium. 



1017 



horse; and 9 head of poultry. These were duly delivered 

 during 1909, and on September 30th, a new contract was 

 signed with the same firm for the further supply of 530 Indian 

 animals and about 200 European animals to be delivered 

 during the year 1910. The conditions of these two contracts 

 are specially favourable to the farmers, who have only to 

 deposit the initial purchasing price in the country of origin, 

 the State Government undertaking to pay all transport 

 expenses, afterwards recovering the same from the Federal 

 Government according to the laws respecting the importation 

 of cattle for breeding. 



The dairy industry, which has been for some years rapidly 

 increasing, may now, with every confidence, be stated to be 

 the chief business of the State and it would be difficult to find 

 a single farm of any importance where a really modern dairy 

 with up-to-date machinery does not occupy a prominent place. 



The increased importation of agricultural implements into 

 the State has been phenomenal. These goods come almost 

 exclusively from the U.S.A., partly in consequence of the 

 greater adaptability of the American implements. The Ameri- 

 can firms usually make very large consignments of ploughs and 

 similar goods to some firm on the spot, sending with the 

 goods an expert who travels through the country showing the 

 method of working and seeing what alterations are advisable 

 in existing patterns to suit local conditions. 



The National Poultry Organisation Society have recently 

 published a Report (price is.) by Mr. Edward Brown, F.L.S., 

 on the Poultry Industry in Belgium, 



Poultry Industry w hich is of considerable interest in view 

 m Belgium. 



of the similarity of conditions in 

 Belgium to those existing in the United Kingdom. 



Belgium is a densely populated country with a large home 

 demand for food, so that, as is the case in the greater part' of 

 England and Wales, the producing districts are near to the 

 consuming population, thus affording facilities for sale with- 

 out transit over long distances. Belgium, however, differs 

 from England in being practically self-supporting as regards 

 eggs and poultry, and Mr. Brown observes that as an example 



4 B 



