CHAPTER XII 



OTHER USES OF LAND 



WE had intended to write an interesting chapter on the 

 use of a few acres of land for poultry, and another on rais- 

 ing a vast drove of rabbits, both from practical men, but a 

 good average man, just such as this book is written for, sent 

 the following : 



" I am very sorry that I cannot comply with your request 

 to write a chapter on poultry for your new book. It is true 

 that I am physically and mentally capable of performing 

 that feat, and it would be possible for me to prepare an essay 

 that might entertain the reader, and even make him believe 

 that there is money in commercial poultry. I prefer, how- 

 ever, to leave that sort of romancing to the poultry journals 

 who, by much practice, are adepts in the art. The fact is, 

 I did not make poultry raising pay, and had I remained 

 on my chicken ranch, I would have gone broke. I do not 

 mean to say, however, that there is no money in poultry, 

 but merely that I could not get it out. Perhaps others who 

 are better equipped for the work can make a success of such 

 an undertaking, but I could not. The numerous poultry 

 journals are filled with instructions how to do it and with 

 letters from people who assert that they have done well 

 with poultry ; but, really, during the four years that I was 

 in the business I cannot recall a single case of success, and, 

 on the other hand, I learned of failures without end. I had 



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