1 May, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 357 
than 3 inches, with the sharp corners bevelled off; and they should not be 
placed at too great a height from the ground. The heavier the breed the lower 
must be the perch, or bumble foot and corns will be quite common among the 
fowls. It is not good, either, for laying hens to have to jump down from a 
high spar. If very high, it sometimes causes rupture of the ege organs. For 
heavy breeds the perches should not be higher than 18 inches from the ground, 
while, in the case of light breeds, it does not very much matter if they are 1 foot 
higher. But beyond this they should not go. 
All perches should be so fitted that they can be taken out any time and 
cleaned. A. socket can easily be made to provide for this. Some kinds of 
vermin hide in the crevices during the daytime, when they are never seen, but 
come out in full force during the night and prey on the birds. If the perches 
get an occasional brush over with carbolic acid, and a little run into any 
crevices, there will be none of the little destructive red mites left to flourish ;. 
or paraffin may be used very effectively for the same purpose. No pains are 
too great to root out all vermin pests, and prevent their ever getting a foothold 
again.— Furmer and Stockbreeder. 
POULTRY FOR FARMERS. 
At the meeting of the Murray Bridge Branch of the Bureau of Agricul-. 
ture, held on 26th January, the chairman (Mr. R. Edwards) read a paper on 
the above subject, as follows :— 
The farmer should first learn how ‘to manage poultry by starting with a 
few birds and giving them every attention. He should increase his flock each 
year until he has as many as he can properly keep and attend to. He should 
provide proper houses and yards for the birds. Itis a great mistake to allow 
them to roost and lay about where they please. Every egg laid should be 
secured fresh. If the fowls are running at large, nests are often found 
containing a number of eggs, some of which may be several weeks old. These: 
cannot be used if the farmer is honest. Often, however, they are included 
with others and sold to the hawker—an action that is sure, sooner or later, to: 
| tecoil on the farmer, as well as on those who are innocent of fraud. Poultry 
must be properly attended to if they are to be made to pay. No farmer would. 
expect to get a profit from his cows or sheep if he neglected them as he 
usually does his fowls. See that the chicks get the proper food, and feed them. 
where they cannot be molested by the old birds. Give them every care when 
young, and you will find them to mature into strong healthy birds. or laying 
purposes a quick-maturing bird that will lay at least twelve dozen eggs a year 
is wanted. There is a remunerative market for good table birds all the year 
| Yound, and a certain market for eggs; but you cannot get a champion layer 
and a champion table bird in one. There are, however, some birds that by 
careful selection and breeding now possess both qualities in a high degree, one: 
of the best of these being the Orpington. Of the purely laying strain, 
probably the Minorca takes first place. In selecting birds for improving his 
flock, the farmer wants pure-bred birds, sound in health, and possessing the: 
characteristics desired--not necessarily fine feathers and large combs and 
exhibition birds. Utility before mere beauty should be aimed at. A few 
Years ago most poultry fanciers bred for fancy points ; but this is not the case: 
how, as most breeders devote attention to egg production or table birds, 
according to the class, besides working to standards of appearance. Many 
rmers appear to hold the opinion that one fowl is as good as another, which, 
of course, is a mistake. Each of the breeds has some special quality. The 
Same farmer would think it absurd to talk of using a thorough-bred horse in 
the plough, or a draught horse for hunting or riding ; yet they fail altogether 
to see that the breeds of fowls differ equally in their uses. Every farmer can,. 
if he will, rear good birds that will bring in a fair income. One thing must be 
