No. 4.] POULTRY CULTURE. 227 



early roasters and early pullets for fall layers when eggs are 

 extremely high, thus insuring high prices throughout the season. 

 Again, on account of the mild climate, the winter growing of 

 chickens has become an important industry, and the "South 

 Shore Roaster District" is known throughout the world. 

 Winter growing enables the producers to put large, fine roasters 

 (capons) on the market from March to July, when the cold- 

 storage plants are practically empty. In other words they con- 

 trol the market, and the prices (live weight) range from 25 to 

 33 cents per pound. 



Soil. 



In no section of the country is soil better adapted to poultry. 

 Most parts of the State have a light, sandy or gravelly loam. 

 There is no danger, therefore, of its becoming contaminated 

 with droppings, as it is leached out by the heavy rains. On 

 such farms in New England poultry have been kept on the 

 same land for 40 years with no serious results. Of course, I 

 refer now especially to poultry farms, not general farms where 

 only a few fowls are kept, and to the extensive rather than the 

 intensive system. Again, much of the soil here is adapted to 

 the growth of corn, mangels, beets and all kinds of green crops 

 for poultry. Its sandy condition gives a quick growth which 

 means tender, palatable green food throughout the growing 

 season. 



The fact that our soil and climate are well adapted to all 

 kinds of fruit is an advantage that cannot be overlooked. 

 Fruit trees not only yield a crop, but furnish shade in summer 

 and windbreaks in winter. Much of the soil is well suited to 

 the production of corn, and immense crops can be produced by 

 raising corn and poultry on the same ground in alternate years. 

 Very little fertilizer other than that produced by the poultry 

 need be used, other things being equal. 



Low Pricj: of Land. 



We are sure very few people living in New England realize 

 the difference in the cost of land here as compared with that in 

 the middle west. Very little farm land can be bought there for 

 less than $100 per acre, and most of it sells for $125 to $160, 



