POULTRY. 393 



importance to the American farmer, and if exact statistics of 

 the value of poultry raised in the United States could be pro- 

 cured, all would be astonished. In Massachusetts alone, the 

 annual value of poultry and eggs is several hundred thousand 

 dollars. Poultry is raised at a very little outlay. Two-thirds 

 of the year their food is gleaned from the fields ; during the 

 winter, it is true, they have to be fed, but usually before that 

 sets in, the greater portion of their number have met a violent 

 death. 



Your committee would strongly urge the farmers' wives of 

 Essex county, to raise poultry ; it is a profitable and pleasant 

 pursuit, attended with little expense and considerable income. 



Robert Brookhouse, Jr., Chairman. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Previous committees have enumerated the advantages of 

 keeping poultry. The profit derived has been shown to amply 

 repay the slight inconvenience and expense of raising. It has 

 been demonstrated by frequent experiments that domestic fowls, 

 when skilfully cared for, are no small source of gain to the 

 farmer. The high prices of poultry and eggs, show that the 

 supply is fast falling short of the demand, and that a much 

 greater number might be raised with advantage. 



The farmer should endeavor to combine the ornamental with 

 the useful, and we know of no better way by which he may 

 beautify his farm-yard, than by stocking it with selections of the 

 best varieties of poultry, such as the Bolton Greys, Golden 

 Pheasants and Black Spanish, which have the advantage of being 

 both good layers and " good looking." Poultry, by long custom, 

 have become an essential part of a New England farm, and 

 have thus an established right to its hospitality. A good rooster 

 is cheaper than an alarm clock ; for he needs no winding up ; 

 and rain or shine he will crow in the morning. 



Speaking of crowing, your committee can do nothing of the 

 kind over this exhibition. When they consider what a fine dis- 

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