DOMESTIC FOWL, 



" High was his comb, and coral red withal, 

 In dents embattled, like a castle wall ; 

 His bill was raven black, and shone like jet ; 

 Blue were his legs, and orient were his feet ; 

 White were his nails, like silver to behold ; 

 His body glittering, like the burnish'd gold." 



CHAPTER I. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF BREEDING AND REARING 



DOMESTIC FOWL 



Has not been sufficiently appreciated. France, Germany, and 

 the Netherlands were, and still are in the habit of supplying the 

 English market ; latterly, the value of the eggs and fowl, sent 

 from Ireland to England, has amounted to more than a million 

 of money, annually; and being kept at home, is a material object, 

 as it is, in a great measure, produced without outlay or expense ; 

 and with attention and encouragement, it might be made to treble 

 that amount, and would, therefore, afford additional comfort and 

 emolument to the cottager and farmer. If the thing be encou- 

 raged by the landlord, he will ultimately benefit himself, as it will 

 assist the tenant, in the way of meeting his engagements. 



POULTRY CLUBS 



Are established in most of the principal towns of England and 

 Scotland, for the encouragement of the best breeds ; and why not 

 the poultry fanciers, of Dublin, meet and establish a similar 

 society here, Ireland being a much more poultry country than 

 either of the other two ? Everything here connected with agri- 

 culture, should be encouraged it is quite conclusive that we 

 have no chance of manufactures ; so that everything] connected 

 with the farming interest, needs our utmost support. If such 



