236 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



excellence. The proffer of premiums enumerated six varieties. 

 Of these, only one or two specimens purporting to be Malay, 

 were offered, and the committee were not sufficiently satisfied 

 of their good quality to feel justified in awarding a premium. 

 None of the Plymouth Rock variety were offered ; nor any of 

 the class properly denominated Common, deserving of particu- 

 lar notice. 



No statements of experiments in keeping fowls were sub- 

 mitted. The committee trust that the experience of the 

 coming year will cause a large number of such statements to 

 be presented at the next fair, as their importance must be obvi- 

 ous to every person. The following profit and loss account 

 has been handed to the committee by H. E. Mosely, of Spring- 

 field : 



DR. 



Stock on hand Jan. 1, 1850, fifteen hens and two cocks, 



valued at - - - - - $6 67 



Expense of keeping to October 1st. - - - 4 50 



tU 17 



CR. 



Ninety-six dozen eggs, half sold, and remainder con- 

 sumed in the family, at 17cts. per doz. - - $16 32 

 Eighty chickens at 22 cts each, - - - 17 60 

 Stock on hand, 13 hens and 2 cocks, - - 6 00 



^39 92 

 11 17 



Balance in favor of the hens, - - - $28 75 



Viewed either as a luxury or an essential, there are few 

 branches of domestic economy, within the means of every 

 householder, requiring smaller investments, and at the same 

 time yielding a surer and more ample return, than the rearing 

 of poultry. Very little interest has been manifested in the sub- 

 ject until lately, and of course very little discrimination has 



