97 
Poultry in Westmoreland . 
way with other stock. Only three questioned this, two of whom pointed out that different kinds 
ofland affected the number, which is true. No one questioned it from personal knowledge, whereas 
from personal knowledge several of the affirmatives corroborated it. The question itself will be 
refen ed to again , heie we are only giving the results of the replies. 
. . I3> As t0 Peking any distinct market for new-laid eggs as such, there were 41 uncon- 
ditionally negative replies, and only 18 affirmatives, mostly of a very qualified kind. Fully half 
of them were simply to the effect that “all farmers’ eggs ” sold in the markets were “ supposed 
to be new-laid. Only ten replies seemed to convey any idea of real attempt to sell new-laid 
eggs at special pi ices, and half of these referred to the writers’ own personal experience. 
14. It was lathei surpiising, with 42 negatives, to find 13 affirmatives referring to “poultry- 
farming” of one sort or other. Half of these referred to “failures,” and most of the others were 
based on veiy indefinite notions, one mentioning as the example two farmers who each kept about 
200 io\vls on their faims. These leplies were all followed up, but practically with no result, every- 
thing of the nature of a puiely poultry farm, except one on a very small scale, which will be 
refened to fuither on, having to do with pure-bred fowls, and nothing at all with this question. 
Seveial attempts were made to obtain something like a combined report from various parties, 
of districts wheie small holdings were known to prevail, as it was believed that poultry production 
in such distiicts would show a higher standard. In all but one case, however, such attempts were 
baffled by the apathy and indifference which have been already referred to. The sole exception 
was owing to the exertions ot the Countess of Bective, who collected seven or eight returns from 
the neighbourhood of Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale, including one from Mr. Punchard, agent to the 
Underley Estate. The first five questions were answered in the negative by practically all, and there 
was also a general agreement amongst the farmers themselves that many eggs could be collected, 
but that there was no machinery for doing so. Some added that the tenants would be very glad 
indeed of any “ opening ” for the better sale of eggs, and that in such case the supply would be 
largely increased, but one or two referred to the market at Kendal as sufficient. There was a 
general disbelief that more than one fowl could be run on an acre of land without damaging the 
grass or crops ; but here, again, there was some misapprehension, as one or two referred to disease 
breaking out “ when large numbers are kept in proximity,” with which this question has nothing to do. 
The general opinion was that in spring and summer, when eggs were plentiful, they were too cheap 
to pay; and the same with chickens, which are sold in July and August at from is. 3d. to is. 6d. 
each. Regret was expressed that this should take place “at the time when the farmer or cottager 
must sell” apparently in utter ignorance of any possibility of breeding for a time when better 
prices are obtained. So far as regards the present, the increased production had brought new- 
laid eggs down in the spring of 1887 to from fourteen to eighteen for a shilling. Every farmer 
without exception regretted the want of a “ direct demand,” and of some agency for selling direct. 
All the returns without exception, however, agreed in reporting a “ large increase in the attention 
bestowed upon poultry in the district during late years, and that any London dealer who desired 
could easily arrange for a regular and considerable supply from it both of poultiy and eggs. The 
most noticeable feature is, that in the neighbourhood of Kendal faimeis aie placing fowl -houses 
about in different parts, and on some farms it is common foi each son and daughtei to have one of 
these houses with a dozen to fifteen fowls, taking the pioceeds as a peiquisite. Anothei fact 
appearing in one report is that while chickens sell generally low, as above stated, those nicely 
fatted and dressed for cooking “sell readily at about 9d. per lb-., but few know how to do it.” One 
report, however, states, “ I know one farm of eighty acres where 100 hens aie kept, and about 150 
chickens reared with profitable results.” There is, moreover, a large import of eggs from Ireland. 
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