Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-07-13

quainted and finding out what this
other wants and has. Where could
this be done more quickly and easily
than at egg shows? Not single big
show, but many smaller ones through
out the state.
Would Make Competition Keen.
The present competition between
the breeds and varieties of chickens
is largely confined to the fancy points.
as beauty of marking or elegance Of
type and carriage. In the Saturday
Evening Post recently noticed an
advertisement by the Holstein-F reisian
association setting forth the merits Of
Holstein cows. There was nothing
said about their size or color mark
ings. Instead the emphasis was put
upon the fact that the fat globules in
Holstein milk are much smaller than
those found in the milk of other
breeds and are therefore more easily
digested. I turned over page and
there was an advertisement OF the
American Guernsey Cattle club They
had nothing to say about the beautiful
fawn color or the attractive type OF
the Guernsey COW. Instead they were
harping on the fact that the butter
from Guernsey is so highly colored
that no artificial coloring matter ID
needed as In the case Of other breeds.
In both cases utility points were en-
phasixed. This does not injure the
COW for showyard purposes. IT does
bring before the public the things
they are interested In.
Every breed of chickens lays eggs
that are peculiarly and characters
tically its own. Some are white.
some light and some dark brown.
Some are more even In color than
others. some are larger. some are
more uniform in shape. some have
shells that are too delicate. some too
tough. some Just right. some have
lots of bloom. some are shiny. some
are rough and freckled and some are
smooth and even. These are the
things the great American public 10
anxious to know. They care little
about the type Or color or the prizes
the hen that laid the eggs may have
won. It's the egg itself they are in
terested In. Stimulate the demand
for the product of any breed and the
demand for the breed will take care
of itself. When this fact is realized
by the breeders and these facts are
really put before the public there will
be an Improvement of the breeds. and
increase In business and healthy
competition between breeders that
has hardly been dreamed OF.
What an Egg Show Should Show.
The premium list of a first-class
egg show should include classes for
all breeds and varieties OF poultry
whose eggs are sold upon the open
market. Besides there should be
classes for white eggs, dark brown.
light brown, duck, goose. turkey eggs.
etc. These classes should be judged
according to their weight, shape. uni
formity Of size. shape and color. shell
texture. and condition and quality.
The last named should be valued at
at least 40 in a scale OF 100. 1t is the
quality that holds the trade.
BY way OF adding interest special
prizes might be offered for the larg-
est turkey egg. the smallest hen egg.
the smallest egg Of any bird. etc.
Then there should be prizes for the
best displays. showing methods OF
production. packing. shipping and
marketing. Displays Of dressed poul-
try could be made and eventually
classes for the different breeds put in
the premium list. New ways Of
dressing and drawing as well as bon
ing birds should have place. and q
picking contest would add interest
Exhibits of shipping crates. poultry
boxes. laying houses. egg cartons,
shipping refrigerators for fancy trade.
the market grades Of eggs. and egg
crate machines would be Of interest
and great educational value.
Egg shows In Iowa would mean
more money for eggs. better eggs.
new methods. greater consumption.
more people In the poultry business
and an impetus to the poultry bust.
aess all along the line.