118 Missuuri AgrivuU nral Repurt. 



In this competitiou for the markets of the world, like all competi- 

 tions in the great battle of life, the fittest survive. Fittest is frequently 

 determined by education. The trend of the battle in each state will be de- 

 termined eventually by the educational policy of the State. The victory 

 will gradually but surely go to the State, other things being equal, that 

 most wisely and most liberally educates her farmers. 



Thirteenth — ]\Ioney expended by the State to educate farmers to a 

 better knowledge of the best methods of handling poultry is a good busi- 

 ness investment. It will pay splendid interest on the investment. A 

 state could well afford to borrow money to educate her people. For ex- 

 ample, if by better methods of feeding, breeding, housing and the rearing 

 of poultry the 30,000,000 hens in this State should be induced to lay one 

 more egg each per year, and these eggs should sell for two cents apiece, 

 Wiis would increase the gross income $60,000 per year. If, then, to this 

 the poultrymen, by better methods, should be able to decrease the cost 

 of producing poultry one-fourth cent per pound, this would mean a sav- 

 ing of one cent per four-pound fowl, or .$300,000 per year. If, by better 

 methods of breeding for constitutional vigor, better sanitation, more de- 

 sirable poultry houses and better methods of rearing, the mortality in 

 our mature flocks would be decreased two per cent, this would make a 

 net saving of at least $300,000. All this is not only possible but prob- 

 able, if the proper methods which are known at the present time, but 

 which are not generally understood, should be practiced by a large pro- 

 portion of the farmers and poultrymen throughout the country. It is 

 within the province and power of every state to bring all this about. 

 Is it worth while ? 



Fourteenth — Poultry husbandry should be given attention, because 

 less has been done for it in proportion to its value than for any other 

 agricultural industry. It is now a question of restitution for previous 

 neglect on the part of the State. Ever since the agricultural colleges 

 and experiment stations were founded the dairy, horticultural, crop 

 growing and general live stock interests have been given serious and ex- 

 tended attention, and as a result they have been vastly benefited. The 

 poultry interests, because comparatively small in the value of individual 

 holdings, though as large or larger in the aggregate value than many 

 other branches of agriculture, have been overlooked and ignored, and as 

 a result poultrymen have been seriously handicapped. The poultrymen, 

 until very recently, have been obliged to hol)ble blunderingly along in 

 the darkness of ignorance, while the dairyman, horticulturist, gardnor, 

 stock raiser and all have Ijeen working in the light of knowledge shed by 

 experiment stations and agricultural colleges in every state in the Union. 



