LEARNING THE POULTRY BUSINESS 57 



other business which requires more unremitting attention to de 

 tails and conscientious thought and action than poultry keeping. 



The following qualities are to be looked for in a successful 

 poultryman : 



The first requisite is that of sound common sense. Many in- 

 stances will arise where no previous action or condition can guide, 

 and where quick, correct decisions will mean the avoidance of 

 disaster. 



He must also be capable of planning well and carefully so as 

 to figure probable success and failure very minutely. 



Not only must he plan well, but he must be capable of carry- 

 ing them out, for one without the other means nothing. 



He should be methodical, so as to develop a careful system in 

 all the details of the work. 



He must be alert, capable of seeing an opportunity when it offers. 



These qualities should be combined with business knowledge, 

 more especially in the marketing end of the enterprise. He should 

 have steadfastness of purpose, — that is, he should not be change- 

 able. This is important in the poultry business, because there 

 are so many varying beliefs and systems in the different operations 

 of hatching and rearing. If the poultry keeper is not sure of his 

 own method, he will succeed at none. 



Lastly, he must be capable of concentrating his time and atten- 

 tion on the work. He must have system in all the details ; and he 

 must carry their essentials constantly in mind, as in this way only 

 can he be sure that nothing is neglected. 



Learning the Poultry Business. — A person desiring to learn the 

 poultry business to-day has many advantages which formerly 

 could not be realized. Among the greatest of these are the results 

 of accumulated experience. The opportunities for knowledge 

 available to the average amateur who wishes to become versed 

 in the details and requirements of poultry keeping may be grouped 

 under one of the following heads : (1) Farm experience, (2) prac- 

 tical work at large poultry plants, (3) personal observation, 

 (4) reading of papers and books, (5) scientific and practical train- 

 ing in college or school. 



For the poultrjTnan to realize a combination of all these 

 opportunities would be very desirable. At least two of them 

 should always go together, — namely, the actual farm or poultry ex- 

 perience and as much scientific and systematic training as possible. 



A young man who has had the advantage of being brought 



