244 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE [Jan. 



We have all seen this, when feeding corn at night ; how each 

 bird will crane its neck, trying to force down the kernels, 

 and satisfy the palate. The idea that an animal will eat only 

 what it needs, is one of the beliefs we should disabuse our- 

 selves of as quickly as possible. Every breeder must be a 

 law to himself, seeking always to measure the needs of 

 individuals, and to supply the smallest quantity consistent 

 with best health and productiveness. Here is the economy 

 of feeding, the value of balanced rations. It is not niggard- 

 liness, but true liberality ; for it seeks, first of all, perfect 

 health, by balancing the condition of the animal. Nature's 

 method is a grain at a time, and a constant searching and 

 scratching for these. Our system too often is to crowd the 

 food into the crop in the shortest possible time. If the 

 nerve energies resulting from the tissue foods be consumed 

 in removing, grinding, digesting and assimilating food, they 

 cannot produce eggs. Each body is capable of expending 

 so much force daily. If the ration be balanced all is har- 

 mony, and the natural functions are carried on smoothly. 

 By the observance of these principles the flocks have 

 slowly yet surely been graded up to present high standards. 

 To-day no man can dream of the possibilities of the future, 

 provided the highest skill is exercised in the selection and 

 balancing of rations. 



Aiming at a solution of the problem of profitable poultry 

 culture, the selection of breeds must receive attention. No 

 man can succeed in an undertaking unless he has a natural 

 inclination for it. Especially is this true in poultry breed- 

 ing. Not only must he be an enthusiast, but the variety 

 must be what his fancy dictates. One man, with a love for 

 the majestic Brahmas, will realize many times as much as 

 his neighbor, who attempts their culture because somebody 

 else succeeds. Or another, full of admiration for the active 

 Leghorn, will score a grand success, after utterly failing with 

 other varieties. Success hinges largely on natural adapta- 

 tion to the work. For want of this, there is no upward 

 striving, no reaching forward to a higher standard. While 

 the term Brahma or Leghorn has a certain meaning, it by no 

 means follows that the individual of either breed excels in 

 all characteristics. Remembering what has already been 



