104 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



what is good. There is no reason why we of the Old Colony- 

 are not as capable of perfecting as good a breed of swine as 

 they of Chester County, Pennsylvania. All it wants is more 

 attention to the business. If we make more pork in the county 

 than is consumed in it — which according to statistics we do — 

 why should we not exert ourselves more, and raise all our pigs 

 to make the pork from ? By so doing, we not only live more 

 within ourselves, but insure to all lovers of pork a good and 

 healthy article, and thereby keep the hog disease as far West as 

 possible. For the Committee, 



Jos. C. Norton. 



POULTKY. 



MIDDLESEX SOUTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Particular attention is invited to the accompanying written 

 statements. Such detailed experiments are of more value than 

 opinions and essays. They make the best " poultry book " for 

 a beginner in the business. 



It will be seen that profits are calculated at current market 

 prices for eggs and poultry. It is very easy to swell amounts 

 by giving for fancy fowls. But such is not a true criterion, and 

 only discourages the man who has the common breeds and 

 ordinary conveniences. 



The number of eggs laid per hen is the minimum rather than 

 the maximum, varying from 120 to 170 per year ; and yet the 

 net income per fowl in no case is less than $1.37, which is 150 

 per cent, on the investment. 



Probably, if any of our farmers, or any housekeeper who has 

 a quarter of an acre of land, would keep twenty-five fowls, and 

 feed and care for them according to well-established methods, 

 and keep an exact account, they would be surprised at the year's 

 results. There need be no failure. The hen will lay eggs as 

 surely as the cow will give milk, the quanity in each case 

 depending on proper management. With suitable food and 

 drink, and gravel and lime in abundance, and a roost free from 



