POULTRY. 441 



back duck or Mallard, but by long domestication are found to be one-third or half as large 

 again as these are at the present time. 



It is generally admitted by ornithologists that our domestic fowls are descended from 

 the wild jungle fowls of the East Indies. The various species of the Game fowl still retain 

 much of the form, color, combative propensity, and courage of this wild species. The Jun 

 gle fowl, known as Gallus Bankiva, resembles most of all the wild varieties our common 

 Black-red Game, and that fowl is regarded as the immediate parent of this variety, from 

 which so many sub -varieties have been bred by selection or crossing with others. 



Intelligent Supervision essential to Success in Rearing Poultry. Of all 



poultry, hens are the most easily and numerously reared, and also most profitable; producing 

 a larger supply of eggs than any other of the feathered tribe, since they are peculiarly an 

 egg-producing bird, having the same predisposition for laying that the cow has for milk secre 

 tion, and while some breeds are better adapted for laying than others, still our experience has 

 taught us that all breeds, under proper and favorable circumstances, will produce a reasona. 

 ble supply of eggs; and these favorable circumstances are, a good house to roost and lay in, 

 proper ventilation (without which no animal whatever can thrive or be perfectly healthy), 

 cleanliness, a variety of suitable food, plenty of pure water to drink, sunlight at all seasons, 

 suitable warmth in winter, and a reasonable extent of range and exercise, though some 

 Asiatic breeds, like the Brahmas and Cochins, will do well for a long time with limited range, 

 as they are naturally of quiet habits and disposition. 



Due attention to these items will, we have no doubt, insure good success and fair remu 

 neration from any of the well-known or common breeds of fowls, remembering that quite as 

 much depends upon the care received as the breed, in the results obtained; and here we 

 would say with emphasis, to impress its importance in securing success, that fowl rearing, 

 like all other business, in order to be profitable, should have personal care and supervision, and 

 not be left to the care of domestics, as in that case, even from the best and most trusty of 

 them, the attention would, as a general rule, be inadequate to good results, and disappoint 

 ment would be the consequence. 



Intelligent supervision and personal attention are the essentials to success in poultry 

 raising, and unless that supervision and attention can be given, we would not advise any one 

 to attempt to engage in the undertaking. 



Pleasure and Profit Attending Poultry Raising. Much pleasure, as well as 

 .profit, may be derived from the care of poultry; they engage the sympathy and interest, and 

 have a tendency to awaken the kindliest feelings of our human nature, which, if rightly 

 matured and cultured, cannot fail to make us mere humane and close in sympathy with all 

 created and living things; besides, but little time, comparatively, need be spent in these 

 duties, where the arrangements for their keeping are what they ought to be, for health, 

 comfort, and consequent profit; while with the use of a little ingenuity, this may all be done 

 without soiling so much as even the fingers. It is well for children, in the influence derived, 

 to have the care of something; it calls out their affectionate interest, and makes them more 

 considerate and gentle in their treatment of inferior animals, and if there be children in the 

 family old enough to be entrusted with these duties, they will derive much benefit and pleas 

 ure by attending to what will soon become their pets; .for, with kind and gentle treatment, 

 all fowls will soon become tame and fearless of those about them. 



In France, and some portions of England, it is customary for the ladies of the house 

 hold to have charge and personal care of the poultry, and we are glad to know that in this 

 country the practice is not entirely unknown, though it is not as common as we might wish. 

 We believe if this custom were more general with American ladies, there would be less 

 complaint and criticism among physiologists on account of their early loss of beauty and 



