POULTRY. 301 



gradually came to know more of his feathered friends by reading 

 and observation, the more pleasant and profitable it became. At 

 first, some mongrel bird with brilliant plumage was the acme 

 of perfection ; then, as he learned that shape was of importance, 

 and that the best results in that respect as well as color could 

 only be produced with certainty by pure-bred birds, he sought 

 some established breed. No matter which he selected, he found 

 a new source of pleasure. If beautiful plumage was his ambi- 

 tion, he had the pleasure of knowing he could produce it and 

 the mongrel was dethroned. Or if he sought substance, sym- 

 metry or prolificacy, he soon learned where it might be found. 

 The more he learned of poultry, the better selection could he 

 make for his own yards ; the greater care and skill used in 

 breeding, the greater the reward. 



If a person is about to commence keeping fowls as a new busi- 

 ness, and wishes to understand it thoroughly, let him first of 

 all get an insight into the principle;; of breeding. Let him lay 

 the foundations of his poultry education broad and deep by 

 studying as thoroughly as possible whatever bears on this point ; 

 now let him read all the poultry books procurable ; I say all, 

 for although some are not very good guides alone, each contains 

 something it is well to know, and the diligent student will soon 

 ascertain which is good authority. He will find, too, that he 

 must use his own judgment, and not follow any one writer in 

 all things implicitly. The next step is to become acquainted 

 with the different breeds. Poultry shows afford the readiest 

 means for this, and a visit to the yards of a fancier, with a quiet 

 chat with the owner, affords a pleasure unknown to the un- 

 initiated. It is best not to commence with too many breeds, as 

 there is yet much to learn, and unless one can devote his whole 

 time to it, things may go wrong ; inexperience makes bad worse, 

 and the result may be disgust with the whole business. 



Something substantial in the way of returns, would, I appre- 

 hend, be the object of most who should engage in poultry keep- 

 ing. That some find it profitable there is no doubt. That those 

 who do not might with benefit look carefully at their own 

 management and that of others, may be equally true. 



Joseph P. Clark, Chairman. 



