POULTRY. 107 



account from eight to twelve barrels of solid hen-manure, 

 which was pulverized, and diluted with red sandy loam, and 

 which served as compost in the hill for three or four acres of 

 corn and vegetables, and which would well-nigh pay for the 

 actual labor of this young man during the whole operation. 

 Thus your committee have endeavored to point out the lead- 

 ing essentials in the management of fowls, believing that this 

 is only a fair average of the profit of keeping fowls, if man- 

 aged under a regular system, somewhat in this manner. This 

 young man often affirms, that were he possessed of two thou- 

 sand fowls, with ample room to keep them, he could in a few 

 years, with life and health, make a fortune. He raised a 

 few early chickens, watched the markets, and sold some of 

 his large hens for a good price for the table, a little before 

 early chickens were ready to kill, and after these hens had 

 laid through the spring ; and then stocked up again a little 

 later. Yes, your committee believe that fowls thus man- 

 aged are very profitable ; and that a large number, if kept by 

 twenties in different apartments, and each lot managed in 

 the same way, would pay equal profits in proportion to their 



numbers. 



J. H. Heko, Chairman. 



HAMPDEN EAST. 



[From the Report of the Committee.] 



The exhibition of poultry was very fine this year for this 

 society, — much the largest and best we have ever seen ; there 

 being forty-three entries. It is encouraging to see the grow- 

 ing interest shown in this locality in breeding fine poultry ; 

 for we believe, if properly managed and bred, that fowls are 

 among the most profitable stock the farmer can keep. And 

 we venture to offer a few suggestions, and point out a few 

 errors that we presume some exhibitors entertain with regard 

 to breeding " pure-blood fowls." In the first place we would 

 say there is a vast amount of ignorance, both with regard to 

 the course to pursue to produce good fowls, and also with 

 respect to the points of shape, color, &c., which constitute 

 or distinguish any given breed. Man}' labor under the mis- 



