94 
The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
Altogether more than 300 copies were despatched, of which nearly 250 copies were addressed 
to the secretaries ol the societies described ; and the mere broad result is significantly indicative of 
the business apathy of farmers as a class, and of their societies. Although stamped and addressed 
envelopes were enclosed in each case, from the 250 societies only about 70 replies were received ; 
the remainder evidently did not think the subject worth any trouble, or else the secretaries were 
too indifferent to matters generally to take any trouble about anything. In 11 cases the letters 
and circulars came back through the dead letter office ; a fact which simply means that so many 
Clubs or Chambers had either died a natural death, and appointed no successors to secretaries who 
had died or left the neighbourhood ; or else that they had never taken the trouble even to notify a 
change of secretaryship to any of the recognised organs of farming information. From information 
received in answer to personal inquiries, we are afraid that our experience in this particular matter 
is only too typical of a state of things that could scarcely be paralleled in any other industry. 
In the answers which were received there was a very striking and interesting variety, both in 
matter and tone. A few expressed simply an utter inability to afford any information. In a 
proportion, the usual contempt of farmers for poultry, amounting almost to impatience of the 
whole subject, was obviously reflected ; but the fact stood out clearly that most if not all of this 
was mere general impression, while, on the other hand, a good opinion of the profit from poultry 
was in proportion to actual experience of them. It also clearly appeared that while in general 
apathy and neglect prevailed, in some neighbourhoods there is movement and progress, and a clear 
desire to find methods which may overcome the present obstacles to development. Lastly, there 
appears a very great difference in the prices to be realised, according as matters are left to the 
mercy of the wholesale or local dealer, or enterprise is shown in finding new methods and markets. 
1. This question was answered in the negative by all but 15 out of the replies, but both sets 
of answers showed some confusion between answers to this and to No. 5 ; very few testifying to 
any direct trade, or even supply to dealers expressly for such trade. From Wadebridge, however, 
it was replied that some farmers sent “ direct to customers ” in London, Reading, Plymouth, &c. 
A clergyman in Kent, whose proceedings will be further referred to, does the same; and one small 
occupier at Chesterfield sends about 50,000 eggs to London per annum, direct to consumers. He 
had intended to supply through a dairy company, but the price offered was not sufficient. His 
case also will be referred to again. From near Chippenham two farmers also send eggs to London 
dairies, and a few from Boston, and there are one or two other cases. 
2, 5. Answers to both these covered much the same ground, and also very largely the previous 
question. Almost every reply made it clear that all eggs produced were consumed “ in the neigh- 
bourhood,” but this often included the large towns. The answers resolved themselves in nearly 
every case into three systems : — (a) Dealers attend weekly markets, and there buy from the farmers 
or their servants, sending them away : as from Ross to Cheltenham, Oswestry to Birmingham and 
Wolverhampton, and Beverley to Hull, and so on. This was reported in 10 answers, (b) Travelling 
carts with dealers variously called hucksters, higglers, regraters, &c., collect eggs from the farmers, 
disposing of them variously. This system was reported in 27 answers, and is evi-dently on 
the increase, and is the most distinct sign of “ movement ” these inquiries have brought to light. 
(V) Farmers exchange eggs and poultry with grocers and their other tradesmen ; in some cases 
taking them in their own carts, in others the tradesmen making country rounds in theirs. This 
appears to be the old-fashioned system, and was reported in 11 answers. It appears now chiefly 
prevalent in the most rural districts ; and wherever access to large towns is convenient, to be giving 
place to a or b. A few report a and b in operation together, chiefly in the Midland and Northern 
districts. In some cases the country carriers act as collectors, generally selling to dealers at a 
