Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-08
EGG LAYERS AND PETS
ANNUAL POULTRY, PIGEON AND
SMALL STOCK SHOW.
Belgian Hares and Aristocratic Cats to
Be Seen-Appliances and
Devices.

the Importance of the poultry industry to
this country. To say that the aggregate IN
come to the poultry raisers OF the United
States from eggs and fowls was greater
than that from any other industry-iron,
oil. coal and railroading not excepted
would surprise many. But, it is said, such
is in fact. - .-.-..--
The poultry industry is divided into three
branches-commercial fowl raising for
meat, commercial egg production and fan
cy poultry raising. The two first mentioned
are frequently combined on the broiier and
capon farms. The poultry shows, like the
horse and dog shows, are devoted to the
fancy side of the business. but by, their
influence in raising the standard Of per-
lection through competition and careful
breeding. the commercial side is naturally
benefited.
The poultry show to be held in this city
this week in Masonic Temple, beginning to-
morrow and lasting through Saturday, Is
expected to prove of interest to Washing
tonians. The exhibit will be conducted I'M
der the auspices of the Washington Poul-
try. Pigeon and Pet Stock Association, as
sisted by the Washington Cat Club. 1t is
promised that there will be displayed the
several varieties of fowls. from the dininu-
tive bantam to the vain peacock: pigeons of
every kind and water fowl. including ducks,
geese and swans
Other things besides poultry will be ex-
hibited. The Belgian hare will be on hand.
Mother hareS with -litters of young in all
stages of growth. from three days old up
will be shown. There will be cats in the
collection. from the fireside tabby, whose
only ambition in life seems to be to lap
milk catch mice and snooZe in some warm
spot, to the fancy Asiatic felines. with
long, silky fur and varied style whiskers
and tails not fuffed with rage or fear, but
naturally: In fact 1t is promised that there
will be shown cats from whose filters of
kittens no one with any idea of cat values
would refuse choice pick. if to be had
without cost, as the price of mother pussy
may range anywhere from S. up to 81 600
A cat of the latter. it is promised, will be
on exhibition.
Poultry Appliances and Devices.
In addition to the display of hundreds of
Individual exhibits of fancy poultry, cats,
Belgian hares, guinea pigs, guinea hens,
and the like. there will be an up-to-date
showing of poultry appliances. Incubators
and brooders will be in full operation, and
arrangements have been made to hatch
eggs during the show. Among the appli-
ances and devices designed to save labor
and assist poultrymen to accomplish the
most desirable results are portable poultry
houses, brooder houses. patent nests for
ascertaining who laid the egg, vermin ex-
terminators, vermin proof percheS, bone
ing fountains and feed hoppers, leg bands
and foods. all these will be open for in
spection by the visitors The hall will be
open every day and evening during the
week from Tuesday morning to late Satur-
day evening.
The interest in poultry raising through
out the country, is said to be increasing
every year. and a large number Of people
enter the business merely for the pleasure
of 1t. This has resulted in elevatng the
or Sbar rd
hen Is fast being replaced by the more
elegant and more useful fancy fowl, bred
true to standard. it has been proved
that thoroughbred fowl is superior in
egg production and quality of meat, to the
scrub.
The fancy fowl furthermore has an in
trinsic selling value when disposed of for
breeding purposes. 1t costs no more to pro-
duce and maintain a fancy fowl 1t is said.
The output in eggs of the great American
hen last year. 1t is explained, was greater
than the postal service and large enough
to have paid the entire expense of the
War Department. According to the Depart
ment of Agriculture, the American hen in
1880 furnished 10000, SOC, coo eggs. Yet in
that year the United States imported &c.
OOO,O0O eggs. If the number Of eggs the
American hen laid in 1901 should be
dropped on the United States navy, they
would sink all the battle ships, it is de,
clared. There are sufficient hens and roost-
ers in the United States to set one every
four feet along every railroad track in the
country, it being estimated that there are
2S4 100000 chickens in the United States
and 191 600 miles Of railroad. In 1901 the
hens laid 10, GOO, coo 600 eggs, 1t being only
an average of thirty-eight eggs a year per
hen. The average seems low, but Is ex-
piained by the fact that some chickens do
not lay all the time. If an equal division
among the people of all the chickens in the
United States should be made there would
be about three and three-quarters chickens
for every man. woman and child. and in
addition about 142 eggs each The eggs laid
in the United States last year would weigh
about C55, 900 tons. or about four times the
tonnage of the United States navy. If all
the hens in this country were rolled into
one, fowl weighing 1000 goo tons would
be the result
Show to Civilized World.
The poultry show has become an annual
event in this city, occurring in December
or January. Washington affords many at
fractions that cannot be had in any other
city, and 1t is said that as a show center
1t is destined to become one of the great
est in the country. A show at the capital
city of the nation is in reality a show to
the civilized world, and If continued year
In and year out will open up an extern
sive foreign trade for American birds
that would be of great benefit to the poul-
Try interests OF the country. A poultry
show is described as the poultryman's
Mecca. 1t serves several purposes. 1t gives
him an opportunity to show his stock and
win przes-cups, medals and ribbons
These become part of his advertising am
munition. He makes sales, he compares
notes, learns what his competitors are do
Ing, what they have and how their stock
compares with his own. He not only makes
sales and purchases, but gains new friends
and prospective customers. The public at
tends the show to see and to admire. The
poultryman participates to conquer or to
be conquered.
During the month Of August last there
were eighty-two poultry displays scheduled
for England alone, not counting those held
in Scotland. Wales and Ireland. These
displays are usually in connection with the
Agricultural Society meetings, at which all
Of every kind are shown. The gatherings
last usually one. two or three days.
In England every locality has it's agricul-
tural society and they each have a show
every year from July to the end Of Novem-
Der; after which entire attention Is given
to breeding By January the whole Of Eng
land is crowded with young chicks. The
bulk are Matched by the end of March, but
they continue to appear until early sum-
mer.
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