110 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



than one dollar to each hen. Mrs. C. W. Farrington has a 

 stock of about fifty hens : most of them are of a cross breed. 

 Sells all of the eggs to consumers, thereby receiving the 

 retail price of from four to six cents per dozen more than 

 the grocers pay. This will nearly pay the cost of keeping, 

 leaving a profit on the capital invested of nearly seventy- 

 five per cent. Will other business with the capital invested 

 pay any larger per cent than this? Mr. Chester B. Wilbur 

 of Raynham is extensively engaged in raising poultry for 

 the market. By hatching the chickens in February and 

 March, they command a larger price than late fall birds. He 

 did not give the amount of profit on his stock, but reported 

 satisfactory results. If space would permit, we would men- 

 tion many more that are engaged in raising poultry and egga 

 for the masses to consume, with as satisfactory results as 

 those that we have reported here. 



The number of coops of poultry, this being less than last 

 year, seems to indicate that the interest in poultry is on the 

 wane, especially by the farming classes, taking into con- 

 sideration the pleasure as well as profit in this branch of 

 agriculture. How much easier to give the poultry the little 

 attention required, than is the trouble of raising, and the 

 care of cattle, which no thrifty farmer ever complains of! 

 When we pass a neat-looking farm, the buildings in good 

 repair, the cattle and sheep fat and contented, and the home 

 of a nice flock of Plymouth Rocks, Brahmas, Leghorns, or 

 some other varieties, is not there, something is wanting to 

 make that farm complete ; for where is the individual that was 

 brought up on a farm where poultry was kept, that does not 

 remember the happy hours feeding the chickens, and hunting 

 eggs in the hay-loft in his boyhood ? No farm is complete 

 without a well-regulated poultry-yard of thoroughbred poul- 

 try. How surely they pay for every kernel of corn they eat ! 

 In consideration of the importance of poultry to us, the ques- 

 tion presents itself. What breed should we keep? 



If raising poultry for market, we recommend Light Brah- 

 mas, Dark Brahmas, Plymouth Rocks, Houdans, and White 

 Cochins. These are quick to grow, take on fat at an early 

 age, and are of excellent color when prepared for market. If 

 eggs only are wanted, then some of the small varieties are 

 recommended, White and Black Leghorns, Brown Leghorns, 



