Nov. 2, imH.\ Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 893 



that they did not consider themselves born poultry-farmers, but com- 

 menced in a small way; had another occupation from which they made a 

 living; gradually increasing their stock, thus gaining experience until 

 the present time, when, witli good, hard, constant work and long hours, 

 they are making a living solely from the fowls- 



I have had letters from numerous people in employment, l)ut who de- 

 sired an out-door life, asking about the possiliilities from a poultry-farm ; 

 in one or two instances actually asking from how many fowls thev coiild 

 make a living. Such were always told that it all deiJends on what ihey 

 call a living. Some people live on less tliun a £1 a week, while to others 

 this amount would be starvation. Perliaps the most remarkable of these 

 communications was tliat received a few months ago, and on a post card. 

 It was dated from another State — a Melbourne suburb — and is certainly 

 unique, as showing the ideas held by even well-informed people. The 

 communication was as follows : — " In the interest of my health, I iiavo 

 been ordered to give up my present position in favour of an out-door 

 life. Will you please inform me how much money is required to com- 

 mence poultry-farming in your State ; tije best locality ; and how to 

 succeed ?" 



Here was a man who, probably, had served five years' apprenticeship 

 to a busii:ess ; was obliged to give it up, and really expected to become 

 proficient in iinother one at the expense of a postage stamp. Of all 

 businesses poultry-farming is one that cannot l)e taught by jiost. 



Like instances are of regular occurrence. The widow of some city man, 

 with a few hundred pounds, inquires as to the profits from fowls. At 

 times the shopkeeper thinks the strain of over-keen competition is too 

 much for him ; the prosperous mechanic, and sometimes a newly-married' 

 couple with nothing definite about the futiire, have all thought of poultry- 

 keeping, and in too many instances have indulged in it to satiation, i.e., 

 till their all was spent. 



My point in introducing the above matters is to dispel some false 

 notions about the poultry business, and to disabuse the mind of many 

 erroneous ideas about it. To make a living from fowls only, i.t., ])oultry- 

 farmiiig, re(]uires a special education <iiid personal knowledge more than 

 any other l)usiness ; and such can be acquired neither by post card or 

 other corresTTondence, but by actual practice and experience. Reading 

 even the best poultry literature available will not make up for the lack 

 of personal knowle<lge of tlie many details necessary to success. 



One other error should be pointed out. Those desirous of going in for 

 poultry-farming fre(juently thiid\ it is a nice easy business; just the 

 thing for a ladv ; nothing to do l)ut throw tlie urain to the fowls and 

 gather up the eggs ; it being often forgotten that tlie corn has to be 

 purcluised, and that even on the best-regulated farms there are many 

 times when the eggs gathered will not pay the feed l)ill. 



Strictly speaking, poultry-farming is a twelve or fourteen hours a -lay 

 Avork, and seven days in the week. Withal this, like other businesses, 



