"Requirements of Farmers 55 



nish a good quantity of meat of first-class quality 

 for table use. Both eggs and meat are of the 

 highest importance for the practical farmer, for 

 upon his poultry he depends to a greater extent 

 than he himself is aware. The quality of the 

 meat, as well as its quantity, is to be considered. 

 Not only does the farmer demand meat when the 

 fowls are mature, but the meat of fowls of all 

 ages after the young reach the broiler stage must 

 be of good quality. It is vitally important, also, 

 that the fowls produce the greatest quantity and 

 best quality of meat from the food consumed ; 

 for some fowls eat much and produce relatively 

 little. Good layers are also required, especially 

 during the winter months. Steady winter layers 

 are demanded by the farmer quite as much as by 

 the poultryman whose business it is to produce 

 eggs for the market. Most farmers do not expect 

 to consume all the product of the poultry yard 

 at home. If eggs are produced in good num- 

 bers during the cold weather, a high price is 

 usually realized for them. A greater price is real- 

 ized from winter eggs than from those produced 

 during the spring and summer months when fowls 

 lay most abundantly. It is also desired that the 

 farm hen should become "broody," incubate and 

 prove a good mother for her young. Many farm- 

 ers do not feel that they can afford to be bur- 

 dened with the extra care and study which the 



