Poultry Production in Ireland. 
99 
Only five returns to our questions were received from Ireland ; and it was noticeable that as 
regards the more considerable farmers, the report was the same mainly as in England — no system, 
no care of stock, no regarding poultry as stock. An “ increase,” however, is reported, and especially 
near what are recognised as regular markets ; and among the small tenants their poultry is of 
course regarded as of more importance. At Fiddown, on the Waterford and Limerick line, is 
a fortnightly market, where Waterford buyers attend to buy and ship fowls for London, and from 
which go every market about one hundred loaded cars. Generally the produce is, however, collected 
by dealers at the small towns on market days. The poultry are considered the property of the 
women, who complain that they are at the mercy of the dealers. On April 7th, 1887, the price paid 
to the producers by the dealers for eggs was 7d. per dozen. The dealers as a rule sell for 9d., some 
contracting direct with infirmaries and other places in different parts of England. This system is 
noticeable as an example of nearly direct trade through only one middle dealer to the consumer. 
A farmer near Fenagh rears large turkeys for Christmas, chiefly for the gentry round, who give 
him orders for one or two birds to send to England — any over he sends to market. : but his 
name is English, and it is noticeable that the same example of enterprise grows largely straw- 
berries and raspberries. Many eggs go to the shopkeepers in towns for small bills. One is not 
surprised to find it reported that poultry “trespassing ” from one small holding to another is a 
constant source of quarrelling and threats of legal proceedings. A “great improvement” is 
reported in the size and quality of the poultry wherever shows have been held, and regret is 
expressed that they have been mostly discontinued of late, owing to the disturbed state of the 
country. Owners of land, also, who were at one time largely giving better stock to their tenants, 
have discontinued such efforts. It is agreed that nothing would do so much for Ireland as the 
distribution through the country of the more improved breeds of all kinds of stock, and of proper 
methods of management. 
A very interesting letter was received from Mrs. F. C. Smith, Clogher, Ballaghaderine, respect- 
ing the district surrounding the Belfast market, a portion of the facts being supplied by one of the 
largest Belfast dealers, and from which the following paragraphs are chiefly compiled. The Belfast 
district is the most famous in Ireland for market poultry, which are reared in large numbers by 
small farmers, who prepare them for market, but without the aid of the fatter, a poisonage unknown 
in Ireland. These fowls are very similar to those of Sussex, but have moie perhaps of distinct 
Dorking blood and some a dash of the Brahma. They are nevei put up, but simply well fed fiom 
the shell, and sold as they become fit for table. There aie vaiious maiket towns in the distnct to 
which the farmers send, where the fowls are bought by dealcis, who sell again to the Belfast houses. 
Those exported to England are sent by Belfast firms to English salesmen, who sell them again, so 
that such birds are sold four times before they reach the consumer ; but a few London houses order 
direct from Belfast, in which case the London “salesman ” is dispensed with, and the fowls only sold 
three times. The' net prices paid to the raisers in July and August are from 24s. to 30s. per 
dozen, but that is the cheapest time of year. When the Belfast dealers have no orders, the surplus 
is generally mixed with a cheaper class of fowls, and sent to London on commission ; otherwise 
they are not sent to the open market or except on order. There are maikets daily in the distiict 
round Belfast commencing with Saintfield on Monday, Lisburn on Tuesday, and so on ; and this 
poultry is in reality as fine and good as can be found anywhere, and not at all to be classed with 
the small fowls shipped from other parts. They are in fact sometimes sold in London as Surrey 
and Sussex fowls to the consumer, and the fact that London salesmen seldom return other than 
“ Irish” prices to the senders, however good they may be, causes very strong feeling, and checks 
enterprise as regards the London market. Nevertheless, the Belfast market disposes of from 
