No. 4.] POULTRY CULTURE. 225 



with the hope of success should at least be well versed in the 

 rudiments of the business. The fact alone that agricultural 

 colleges and experiment stations have been established in 

 practically all the States of the Union — to train men and 

 women for agricultural pursuits and to help farmers solve their 

 problems — is evidence that those who contemplate engaging in 

 any line of farming should be well informed on the subject. 

 The following pages give but a mere outline of the opportunities 

 in poultry culture in this State, with special emphasis laid upon 

 the necessity of preparation for the industry. 



Production and Consumption. 



A great deal has been said in recent years about the con- 

 sumption and production of poultry products in Massachu- 

 setts. From statistics gathered a few years ago on this subject 

 the production was estimated at from $6,000,000 to $7,000,000, 

 and consumption, $25,000,000 to $30,000,000. Students of 

 economics believe the latter figures to be far too low, and those 

 acquainted with the productive side believe the former do not 

 give credit to the industry. A careful survey of the city of 

 Ithaca, New York, in 1914 showed that the average annual 

 consumption of eggs per capita was 400 and the number of 

 chickens and fowls 8. Granting that the people of this State 

 eat as many eggs and poultry per capita as those of Ithaca, the 

 total value of products consumed would reach the enormous 

 sum of $60,000,000 or over. The data obtained in Ithaca cor- 

 respond very closely with those obtained in New York City in 

 determining the value of poultry and eggs consumed there. 

 We cannot be far from correct then when we say that the 

 value of these products consumed in Massachusetts annually is 

 in the neighborhood of $45,000,000 to $50,000,000, and there is 

 abundant evidence that the production of eggs and poultry in 

 this State is rapidly increasing. The baby chick industry has 

 opened up a new field of work which enables hundreds of 

 people to buy and raise a few chicks in back yards who have 

 not been able to do so heretofore because of lack of facilities 

 for hatching or obtaining chicks. I believe, when statistics 

 are gathered showing the number of chicks hatched in Massa- 

 chusetts annually, the figures will be astounding. The im- 



