Poultry Keeping in Ireland. 



383 



in Scotland, but the remaining seeds and artificial manures 

 were purchased in Ireland. 



The provision of even a small supply of good seeds and 

 manures is a very great benefit to small occupiers in remote 

 parts of the country, where good fresh seed can hardly ever 

 be procured, and where good artificial manure is equally 

 rare. Where inferior manures have been sold the action of 

 the Board will probably cause traders to sell manure of 

 better quality and at more reasonable prices than have 

 hitherto been charged. The Board supply each purchaser 

 of manure from them with an invoice ^setting forth the 

 guaranteed minimum percentage of nitrogen, of soluble and 

 insoluble phosphates, and of potash contained in the 

 manures sold. 



In the last report of the Congested Districts Board for 

 Ireland it is stated that during 1895-96 

 Poultry-Rearing the number 0 f the Board's poultry farms 

 and Bee-Keeping ., 



in Ireland. for the dlstributl0n of the e gg" s of 

 pure - bred fowls was increased from 



thirty to fifty-two. In most instances birds of the 

 Minorca and Plymouth Rock breeds are supplied, the 

 former where fowl are kept wholly or mainly for egg- 

 laying, and the latter where a breed is wanted that is fairly 

 good both for laying and for the table. The number of 

 eggs given out from the poultry farms during the year was 

 very greatly in excess of the number distributed in the 

 previous year. A poultry-fattening establishment having 

 been started in Killarney, the Board supplied a large number 

 of birds of breeds considered suitable for the production of 

 chickens for cramming to persons living in neighbouring 

 congested districts. Grants to the value ot about ^190 have 

 been made to the Sisters of Mercy at Claremorris and Swine- 

 ford to assist in providing (for educational purposes) fowl, 

 poultry-houses, runs, and other appliances for rearing and 



fattening poultry. 



In accordance with arrangements entered into by the 



Board with the Irish Bee-Keepers' Association, an expert 



