338 Bureau of Fakmers' Institutes. 



Is poultry, as It Is usually kept on the farm, profitable? If not, how 

 Bball it be made so? 



Mr. Stevens. — I do not know any branch of stock farming 

 more protitable than poultry, nor of any better markets than 

 those along this river — the Hudson. We are sending money to 

 Europe for most kinds of stock, which ought to be kept at 

 home. Select the best breeds for eggs, care for them well, feed 

 them properly and you will reap profit from poultry. There are 

 several good breeds. The white and brown Leghorns and the 

 white and barred Plymouth Rocks are among them. 



Which is the best pattern of incubator? 



Mr. Converse. — There is but little difference between the values 

 of three or four varieties. The " Prairie State " is a good one, 

 but there are others just as good. They are very much like the 

 mowing machines; as a rule, all are good. But there are some 

 cheap incubators being advertised. Don't buy one of them unless 

 some one whom you know has experimented with it. Go slow. 

 Buy the best. 



Which is most profitable to use in hatching chickens, the hen or Incu- 

 bator? Which is best? 



Dr. Smead. — When we kept Brahmas we had no difficulty in 

 finding a sitting hen. The Leghorns will not stick to the nests. 

 If one is going to make a business of raising chickens on quite 

 a large scale, I would buy an incubator. Sometimes, I think I 

 will buy one for the neighborhood and let everybody use it. An 

 incubator, however, will not run itself, so it must be looked after 

 by someone who will follow the directions of the maker, and it 

 costs no more to run one having a capacity of 200 eggs than one 

 of a less number, and I believe that the incubator is the coming 

 " hatcher,'' whether for a large or small number of eggs. There 

 are several patterns, all which are good, the " Prairie State " 

 being as good as any. 



Mr. Rice. — All will depend. If one is engaged quite largely in 

 poultry-raising, and will give proper attention and care, use the 

 incubator and brooder. If only in a small way, say 50 or 100 

 chicks which are to be given the usual farm care, get a few good 

 old fashioned Barred Plymouth Rocks, and give them the job of 



