PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 25 



Breeding fancy fowls is artistic agriculture whether 

 carried on in city, town, village or rural home. Keep- 

 ing the beautiful birds is the poetry of poultry produc- 

 tion. 



Every one should have a hobby and ride it hard. 

 When the choice falls on pure-bred fowls they and their 

 possessor ought to be satisfied. The best qualities of 

 the man are brought to the fore by the thinking, study- 

 ing and working necessary to manipulate the natural 

 forces involved in producing the beautiful plumage, at- 

 tractive appendages, and symmetrical shapeliness of his 

 thoroughbreds. 



The fancier sets high before him a standard of 

 perfection and strives to bring his fowls up to it. His 

 best birds are exhibited in competition with other fine 

 bred birds at the poultry shows and prizes are the re- 

 ward of the most successful breeding. 



Some fanciers do not send their birds to exhibi- 

 tions but keep them for pastime, or for the sake of 

 their superior products. 



Usually fanciers select and seek to improve fowls of 

 some well established breed. Sometimes they take up 

 new breeds and occasionally a fancier seeks to develop 

 a new variety. 



Poultry fanciers in many countries have their na- 

 tional associations and the breeders of favorite varieties 

 of fowls unite in specialty clubs. 



The most successful fanciers have started with but 

 few birds and have bred for quality rather than quan- 

 tity of their feathered pets. They have proved that 

 neither large area nor great capital is necessary to 

 success. 



Great financial gain has been the reward of the 

 earnest work of some breeders of fancy fowls. 



Progress in poultry culture along both fancy and 

 utility lines has resulted from the splendid work of 

 brainy breeders of thoroughbred fowls. 



Fowls left to shift for themselves tend to become 

 less and less beautiful and useful. Human interest and 

 earnestness are necessary to counteract this tendency. 



