60 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



that are a source of pleasure and recreation to the novice, 

 soon become arduous toil, as the newness of the undertaking- 

 wears away. Success in the end, as at the beginning, de- 

 pends upon these things being done ; neglect spells failure. 



The showman who takes delight in preparing his birds 

 for the show room, when a novice, after a time secures the 

 services of the good wife to assist in washing and drying 

 the birds previous to placing them on exhibition, and after 

 a longer time neglects the preparation altogether. 



As I look back over ten years' experience in local shows 

 and associations, and recall to mind those who contributed 

 to the exhibits, I find that many of the most prominent ex- 

 hibitors of ten years ago are now out of business, and that 

 the amateur of a decade ago is to-day the winner. The 

 reason is only in part of course due to lack of that quality 

 of persistence, which is as essential to success in any under- 

 taking as in the poultry business. 



Neglect leads to failure, through gradual deterioration 

 and diminution of the flock. The development of unsani- 

 tary conditions about the buildings and yards opens the way 

 for the development of diseases and disorders that are fraught 

 with disaster. Filth accumulates, vermin multiplies, and 

 disease devastates the flock. These results are to be averted 

 by constant and persistent efforts on the part of the poultry- 

 man. 



In addition to having the qualities of industriousness and 

 persistence, a man must be observing, careful and systematic, 

 to succeed with poultry. 



One in whom the power of observation is not prominent 

 allows many things to pass unnoticed that should direct his 

 attention to faults or conditions that ought at once to be 

 remedied, and which if taken in time could be easily cor- 

 rected, but allowed to develop prove a menace to the business 

 and finally lead to serious results. 



An exhibitor fails to secure the coveted first prize on his 

 pen because he overlooked the little stub beneath the scale 

 on the shank of an otherwise faultless specimen. The unob- 

 served first case of roup brought into the flock starts a dis- 

 ease that is the bane of the poultryman, and is with the 



