562 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dec., 1899. 
A LARGE DUCK FARM. 
Tuk ordinary English farmer considers that a dozen or two dozen ducks about 
the farmyard are quite enough for his tastes, and too much if they are not 
strictly looked after. Of course, on poultry farms considerable numbers are 
kept, but as far as magnitude is concerned, anything on this side sinks into 
insignificance in comparison to some American duck farms. In Massachusetts 
there is a farm on which it is said 30,000 ducks are hatched and raised annually. 
‘There are many large farms in the same State, but this one carries the palm for 
size.— Harmer and Slochbreeder. 
INDIAN RUNNER DUCKS. 
Mr. 8S. H. Prrraan says:—My nine Indian runner ducks are still doing justice 
to their reputation, having laid 216 eggs for the month ending 20th October, 
making a total of 2,888 eggs for seventeen months’ Jaying—an average of 321, 
each. - 
; A PORTABLE POULTRY HOUSE. 
Mr. Joun Maton, Principal of the Queensland Agricultural College, forwards 
the accompanying illustration and description of a portable poultry-house, two of 
which have been constructed at the College from designs supplied by him. We 
heartily second the hope he expresses that Queensland “will eventually secure 
some considerable part of the trade at present confined to Russia, France, and 
other egg-producing countries.” Victoria is now coming to the front in exporting 
eggs, as will be seen by the note we publish in this issue of a record shipment 
ot eggs Jrom that colony. > 
The illustration of a portable poultry house is taken from one of a number 
of photographs of buildings, &e., at the Gatton Agricultural College. 
The cheapness and the simplicity of its construction are a recommendation in 
its favour, apart from the advantages it possesses. ‘hese advantages may be 
brietly stated to be—(1) portability, (2) cleanliness, and (3) ventilation. 
The house is built in the form of a cube, excepting the roof, lis 
dimensions are 6 x 6 x 6 feet clear on the inside. ‘The roof is of galvanised 
iron, painted with white refrigerating material The walls are lined with 
chamfer boards to within 18 inches from the top; and, to secure ventilation, 
lattice work is filled in here, as shown in the illustration. 
The floor is laid with 1 x 1 inch hardwood fillets three-quarter inch apart. 
This arrangement partly obviates and greatly facilitates cleaning. . It also renders 
circulation of air from below complete, as may be experienced by entering the 
house on a hot day. ‘The door is latticed, commanding a view of. the greater 
part of the inside space, where the roosts are arranged with sufficient apage to 
prevent interference. ‘Three bars placed horizontally, and nailed to a slanting 
board attached at each end, carry about 40 fowls. 
A small sliding door is seen in the illustration, which if closed at night 
sseryes to protect the chickens until the attendant opens it next mornine,, 
The house is placed on a frame or under-carriage made of timber, 4 x 4 
inches, to which are bolted the axles, made from round iron (1 inch diameter), 
flattened, and carrying four 9-inch diameter cast-iron trolley wheels. ‘The front 
piece of the carriage swings on a kingbolt, enabling a driver to turn shortly 
without upsetting, when he wishes to remove the house from the poultry- 
yard to a stubble field for feeding purposes. 
In cold weather the attendant may shut off the under circulation of air 
by boards fixed around the lower part of the house, and secured by angle 
brackets (angle bracket fixed to the lower boards), the necessary ventilation 
being supplied through the latti¢ework above.. 
