PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 265 



directing, carrying on or using for a purpose. The 

 purpose in poultry culture should he well defined in 

 the mind and plans of the manager. 



The directing of a business poultry farm should be 

 such as to secure a yearly profit while the flocks and 

 the farm are constantly improving in value. 



For ideal management the conditions and factors 

 should be under complete control and the operations 

 in detail should be executed systematically, promptly 

 and energetically. 



BEGINNING THE BUSINESS. 



Two important matters for the beginner to decide 

 are the time of commencing the keeping of fowls and 

 the selection of a breed suited to his purpose. 



SEASON FOE STABTING: A simple rule is to begin 

 when ready. Trouble usually comes from beginning 

 before one has sufficiently studied the subject or pro- 

 vided an adequate equipment. 



In the spring time the impulse to start things is 

 strong. If one wishes to begin by purchasing eggs 

 for hatching there is no better time and only a small 

 equipment is necessary. Spring conditions favor suc- 

 cessful hatching and the natutal influences are condu- 

 cive to thrifty growth of the thicks. 



If the poultry culturist starts on new ground where 

 poultry has not previously been kept and employs arti- 

 ficial methods of incubating and brooding or exercises 

 sufficient precaution, in natural hatching and brooding, 

 he may avoid the dangers that come because of para- 

 sites and disease germs often prevalent on an old 

 poultry plant. 



The interested enthusiastic amateur will usually be so 

 attentive and careful in his work with the chicks that, 

 even though inexperienced, he will be successful and 

 skill will come by continued correct practice. 



If one prefers to start by purchasing breeding stock 

 he may, by the exercise of patience and watching for 

 an opportunity, secure good tested breeding fowls' after 

 the spring season is past. Excellent mature stock is 



