254 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



sible to expect returns under such treatment. Here may be 

 found an explanation why one failing with Plymouth Rocks 

 succeeds with Leghorns, because of the natural habits of 

 activity in the latter. Not that he succeeds in securing the 

 most financially, but in keeping his flock alive through the 

 winter, — something impossible with larger breeds, when 

 liberally fed and kept from exercise. 



Thus far the attempt has been made to present the ques- 

 tion of breeding for profit, and to show, if possible, on 

 what basis the industry rests, and how the claims made 

 may be substantiated. There remains another question to 

 be answered. Will the poultry industry pay the average 

 farmer, and what is the cost of commencing operations? 

 After an experience of more than twent}'^ years I can answer 

 the first part of the query decidedly in the affirmative, 

 measuring the business by market standards. It has paid 

 me just in proportion as I have observed the conditions 

 urged in this paper. Year after year I have realized a net 

 profit of two dollars per head ; yet to-day I can look back 

 and see how I failed to appreciate the significance of the 

 lessons I have presented for your consideration and discus- 

 sion. There is more in store than we have yet attained to. 

 In all operations, one must learn to walk before he runs the 

 race, and small beginnings lead to great results. This is a 

 business having to do entirely with cents and fractions of 

 cents. 



A building to accommodate fifty hens can be built for from 

 twenty to thirty dollars. Expensive structures are not nec- 

 essary. Such a building would be 20 by 12, with seven-foot 

 posts ; sills, 4 by 4 ; studding, 2 by 3 ; boarded and shingled, 

 the walls covered with tarred paper or battened, and paper 

 used inside ; two windows on the south, twelve lights, each 

 8 by 10 ; door at the end ; with roosts two feet from floor, 

 across opposite end ; and flooring six inches below, to catch 

 droppings. Add nests and drinking dishes, and the house is 

 ready for the hens. In building such a hen-house, select a 

 dry, gravelly knoll, haul on small stone to the depth of ten 

 inches, and set the sills on these ; then fill to the top with 

 dry earth. You have thus secured perfect drainage and the 

 best dust bath possible. I know this is not a beautiful 



