Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1909 — Poultry Show Wes A Great Success. [ARTICLE]

Poultry Show Wes A Great Success.

The poultry show closed Saturday night, even a large crowd being there after supper that evening to witness the last part of the perfoimance. the awarding of the fine incubator, which went to W. D. Bona, of near Pleasant Ridge. A pair of light brahmas, the Alfred Peters kind, went to Dave Hines. Tne attendance at the poultry and baby show Saturday afternoon was mure than 400, and the last day was by far the most successful. The attendance up to that time had been somewhat of a disappointment but for the week it ran. almost as large as did' the show held two years ago. The total number of paid admissions for tne week were I, making $128.10. Two years ago it was $l3O. There were probably a large number of people who would have liked to have attended the show but did not get to do so on account of other attractions, and the poultry management hope to strike a date next year that will not conflict with any other show. It was worth the while of any person to attend, particularly those people who raise chickens or ducks or geese. The persons who were exhibitors there are getting the best results out of poultry. Their bhdr are larger, better layers, mature earlier add at less expense thqn the scrub kind and the exhibitors were ready to explain their methods to help the beginner along. There were all the best verieties on exhibition, and the beginner could see what kind of chickens he wanted to raise. The one kind breeders are the most succesful, and the farmer or his wife that trusts to the common dung hill variety is not getting the lest results. Some of the growers told us so and we believe them. Persons who raise hens that weigh from 4 to 6 pounds should see those that weigh from 7 to 9 or even 10 and learn that it costs less to raise them than it dees the mixed varieties, and that the meat is much better for eating, the eggs larger and consequently better ateliers, and the hens better layers. It would be difficult to de’ermine from the statements of the bre.deji just what kinds are the Lest layers. Every fellow bragged on his-own particular variety. But it is quite certain that those who raise scrub chickens are getting only about three-fourths the eggs that the thoroughbreds lay. When all know this there will be a greater demand for better chickens, and in uruer to knew it, every farmer and bis wife should have attended this show. Trey did not all get here, but the and interest was sufficient to make the associate n members feel good and to deteimine upon holding another show next year. ~ Accordingly the association elected new offi.ers and decided on me second week of January, 1910, -for their next show. The new officers are: B. D. Comer, president; Everet Brown, vice-president; Bert Brenner, Secretary and treasurer. Tne new executive board is composed of toe following member's, J. H. Holden, C. D. Norman, Emmet Pullins, Hairy Murray, wnii m Hashman and Alfred Peters. Among the birds on exhibition were a pair of wild turkeys hatched ~by tame hens from wild eggs. The birds have always been very shy, although feedtag with the native birds on Ute Pullins Bro.’s farm, north of town. They were very restless, espeiajly the male, while at the show, and tofused to either eat or drink. Friday night the owners decided to take them back home, but the male bird died as a result of his exposure and exci tern ent Among the other birds that attracted attention was a Klondike hen. which was covered with hair instead of feathers. The wingless goose, the property of George Daniels of Barkley township, attracted Considerable attention. The game breads were not In such profusion as they were two yean ago. The barred Plymouth rock, the acknowledged leader for all purposes, was not so largely shown, probably owing to the fact that the leading exhibitors in that line have been cleaning the platter so completely as to make Jhe ordinary breeder believe he Had no chance. But there are some other fine birds that are taking the place of the barred rocks, particularly the black langshans, light brahmas, white rocks, black minorcas, buff rocks, white wyaadottes, Rhode Island reds, and dthera. All are good and worth experimenting with. " The several exhibits of incubators and brooders and other appliances for the care of poultry was another interesting feature of the show. One firm exhibited meal nests, drinking vessels, sanitary coops for the young and other things. Then there was the cream separators, and other things that the farmer is interested in. The golden pheasants owned by Mrs. W. H Eger also attracted much attentldn. It was a fine show and it la very pleasing to know that it paid Its way and that it will be an annual feature in the future.