Missouri Home Makers' Conference. 621 



are required to make a success of it. It may be combined with 

 housekeeping without detriment to either, is a healthful as well 

 as a profitable occupation and surely lies within woman's sphere. 

 It has many and interesting attractions and is peculiarly adapted 

 to women. 



While poultry on the farm can be made to play an im- 

 portant part in producing a living, and on many farms is the 

 main and on some the only source of income, too many of us 

 are still satisfied to go on in the same old way year in and year 

 out — some through necessity and others through lack of interest 

 or indifference. 



Every farm in the State should be stocked with pure-bred 

 poultry, and it is just as important as thoroughbred horses, 

 cattle, hogs and sheep, and for the same reason, it gives one more 

 pleasure and profit. 



Many feel that the cost of getting started with pure-bred 

 poultry is too great, but it is unnecessary to pay exorbitant 

 prices for either stock or eggs or to raise fancy stock. You 

 will, however, find much greater profit in disposing of all 

 mongrels and investing in some one good variety. 



The surplus poultry and eggs shipped in this State during 

 the past year amounted to over $50,000,000. It has been said 

 that if the surplus eggs produced in Missouri for one year were 

 laid in a row, end to end, they would extend more than twice 

 around the earth. 



From the standpoint of breeding, the old belief that "eggs 

 are eggs" no longer prevails; but by selection of both the quality 

 of our breeders and the size and shape of the eggs we incubate, 

 we are each year making progress and stamping size and quality 

 in our flocks. 



There is no "best breed," and it is true that more depends 

 upon the strain or breeding of a variety as to the number of 

 eggs it will produce than upon the variety itself. You have only 

 to choose the variety and color that most appeals to your fancy 

 and then breed them up in quality and productiveness to the 

 highest standard possible. 



A good egg laying strain is necessary for successful pro- 

 duction, and we should exercise great care in the selection of 

 our breeders. 



You cannot expect high egg production unless you breed 

 from only the best in the flock, and to me the trap nest plays 

 the most important part in discovering the best. By this 



