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Chapter XV. 
BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES DERIVABLE FROM SHOWS. 
In touching on the subject of the benefits and advantages derivable from Exhibitions of Show Poultry, we 
are strongly opposed to the making of new recruits by the wholesale to Poultry culture, such a plan being 
baneful in its effects, but we should like to see more useful and helpful information given to those who keep 
Fowls, so that it would secure a profit rather than a loss, or, even if they are successful, that they may secure 
a still further increase of success, and to this end (although the Poultry industry in Australia is gradually 
becoming a question of national importance), there is ample scope and reasonable possibility of developing 
and encouraging this to a practically unlimited extent by the aid and co-operation of the different Poultry 
Societies. The first step would be to teach the Farmers and Poultry-keepers the fundamental principles of 
profitable Poultry management ; secondly, show them, and fully explain which are the best breeds to keep to 
secure the various products ; thirdly, advise what the market requires, when their products should 
be placed on the market, and how the stock should be prepared that it will command and be sold at the 
highest rates, by this means making known to the majority who keep Poultry that which is now known by a 
small minority. The first principles of Poultry Societies should be to give beginners some insight and 
instruction on Poultry management. As it now stands most beginners have to pick up the information here 
and there, which of necessity is a long and unsatisfactory method. This offers a golden chance to any 
Poultry Society to better the condition and opportunities of Poultry-raisers, whether for pleasure or profit, 
and no insurmountable obstacles bar the path of a system of instruction on Poultry questions which would be 
of invaluable benefit to beginners in the Business or Fancy. 
We are aware that there is such a system in existence in Great Britain — that provided by the Royal 
College of Agriculture, with Professor Brown at the head of affairs, who devotes himself to these subjects, 
but our Poultry Societies here could take up in a great measure this urgent work, which would naturally be 
of great benefit to the country at large. 
As is well known, the Poultry Farmer, if desirous of success in the undertaking, must have a general 
practical knowledge of the feeding and management of the various breeds or varieties of Poultry ; and this 
is, in fact, compulsory if reasonable returns are expected. Individuals certainly obtain much of this from 
different works on Poultry, but this knowledge could be better given to the general public- by the aid of the 
leading Poultry Societies representative Poultry Breeders and Exhibitors, which would be of far greater value 
(being practical experience) as a reliable source of instruction than any other. 
Exhibitions of Show Poultry undeniably have great value from an educational point of view, as at these 
the various breeds of Poultry may be inspected, and the observer thus becomes familiar with the size, shape, 
and feather-markings of the different varieties, but scarcely goes far enough in guiding the beginner as to 
which breeds are thrifty and profitable, which delicate and unprofitable, or only beautiful or ornamental. 
Poultry Shows, as at present arranged, are generally a union of Fanciers (those who breed and exhibit birds 
from a love of trying to excel), and their efforts, without doubt, have done much towards improving and 
perfecting the different varieties of Poultry. Fanciers, i.e., Exhibitors of Show Poultry, purchase the best 
specimens, study the laws and principles of breeding, and make careful and studied selection to produce the 
highest types, so as to excel in their particular varieties, and to bring the choice selections of the season's 
■breeding before the public, spend a vast amount of time, energy, and money in supporting Poultry Shows, 
the general public by this means becoming the greatest gainer. 
