=s^^ 



47 



REGULARITY COUNTS. — The amateur breeder will have to acquire 

 most of his knowledge regarding the management of the rearing field 

 from experience. Absolute regularity in feeding, and in moving coops, 

 close observance of the chicks and quick action when disease threatens, 

 unfailing vigilance and the application of gray matter in combatting the 

 vermin that always menace game, foresight in avoiding the heavy losses 

 that come so frequently from rain storms — these are some of the things 

 that are demanded of him. Little things, petty details, count doubly at 

 this time. It is not unusual for the keeper to put in twelve or fourteen 

 hours in the rearing field in the course of a day and night and the wonder 

 is that most of them are able to maintain so pleasant a disposition, despite 

 the heavy strain on body and nerves. The man who brings through a 

 goodly percentage of the birds in the field entrusted to him has thereby 

 proved himself possessed of skill and cunning and trustworthiness in the 

 highest degree. Such a feat is no mean achievement and it makes heavy 

 drains on many of the most admirable qualities that man possesses — 

 courage, patience, painstaking attention to detail, faithfulness, industry, 

 intuition, plodding perseverance in the face of a routine that in time must 

 become deadly — all of these, the successful game keeper must possess. 



We have now completed the annual cycle of activities on the pheas- 

 ant farm. Starting with adult birds acquired for breeding stock, we have 

 followed the various developments to the point where the year's hatch is 

 ready for disposal and preparations for another year's activities are due. 



Pen of ringneck hens, Sherbtu"ne Farm. 



