426 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



that we do nothing but simply take what is left and be satisfied 

 that it is not less. 



It takes as many years to learn the principles involved in profita- 

 ble poultry culture, as it does to learn manufacturing business or 

 professional occupations. One of the greatest reasons why people 

 utterly fail when they undertake poultry raising, is because they 

 lack previous experience. The assertion is often made that the 

 "poultry business is an uncertain one." This is absolutely a false 

 impression. It is not the business that is uncertain, but the opera- 

 tor; hence the failure. There is an unlimited and growing demand 

 for the product of the hen. Thousands are marketing this product 

 at remunerative prices. 



People want a fixed ration compounded by some set formula, 

 and then put up in bag lots so that they may be no trouble in the 

 preparation. They overlook the all important fact that something 

 more is needed to supply food elements. The very best egg food is 

 exercise. Not that this supplies the system with all that is needed, 

 but it prepares the way for the food to be taken with benefit and 

 profit. The more active breeds are always the healthiest and most 

 productive, simply and only because the physical exercise keeps their 

 bodies in a normal, healthy condition, and enables them to stir up 

 food for the production of eggs. Activity, then, is one of the essen- 

 tials in the poultry -yard. We cannot turn our domesticated fow^ 

 loose to search after their own living, but we may take a step in 

 that direction and put the food we supply where there must be 

 steady w'ork to find it. 



The real fancier does not estimate the results of his labor wholly 

 in dollars and cents. There is a peculiar charm in the culture of 

 beautiful fowls, and if true pleasure counts for nothing, then w^e 

 may say there is nothing in life of any value. We can get more 

 in the way of enjoyment and healthful exercise from a few hours 

 each day spent in the poultry-yards than can well be estimated in 

 money. From shell to maturity the fancy fowl is a study and will 

 interest every breeder who is as enthusiastic as he should be. If 

 he does not look more to the improvement of his favorites than to 

 the dollars and cents they will bring him, the probability — if he will 

 only be a very ordinary breeder — he will never be a greater one. 

 Money is an object, and gives added zest to even the most pleasura- 

 ble pursuit. 



The point I wish to make is that the true fancier is not a money 

 fancier alone, but loves his business and aims at the highest possi- 

 ble standard for the stock he breeds. To reach this end he keeps 

 his best birds and money won't tempt him to sell them. Neither 

 will money tempt him to sell inferior stock. What we want is more 

 high-minded fanciers and fewer hucksters. I am convinced we have 

 a great many of the former, but we need less of the latter. 



The pleasure we can obtain in the work of making a living is no 

 small part of the compensation to take into consideration, for if 

 we do not enjoy it as we go along and while we are in the work we 

 are very apt to never enjoy it at all. Too many are waiting until 

 they have accomplished some particular object before they expect to 

 enjoy the results of their work, but that is all wrong; their objects 

 are alwavs in the future, for as soon as we have accomplished one 



