addressed to the late Pres. H. H. Goodell in 1903, states that $20,- 

 000,000 of poultry products from without the state were sold in Bos- 

 ton and thirteen of the other cities of the Commonwealth in 1902 ; 

 and that the United States census for 1900 showed the total value of 

 poultry and eggs produced in the state in 1899 was a little less than 

 $4,000,000 — hardly one-fifth of the value of the poultry and eggs 

 received from outside the state. 



Of course it does not necessarily follow that the poultry and eggs 

 now purchased without the state should be produced within its bor- 

 ders. It may be that our people are otherwise more profitably em- 

 ployed or that localities with greater natural advantages can lay their 

 products down in our larger markets at prices lower than home pro- 

 ducers can meet. 



The following facts, however, will not be disputed : 



1. Many land owners — large and small — -make little profit in the 

 lines of farming or gardening now followed. 



2. This state contains many acres of relatively infertile land, 

 held at a low valuation and well suited for poultry farming. 



3. Experience shows conclusively that while considerable areas 

 are preferable, poultry keeping may be made successful even in com- 

 paratively restricted quarters. 



4. Much of the work connected with poultry keeping can be per- 

 formed by those not capable of hard work. It is especially suited, 

 therefore, to women, young people and those not physically strong — 

 classes now often finding it difficult to obtain congenial and profita- 

 ble work. 



5. Poultry products can invariably be readily sold, and, on the 

 average, at prices which under wise and efficient management aflford 

 a profit. 



6. Poultry products command prices which are higher in propor- 

 tion to bulk and weight than most farm products, and they can ac- 

 cordingly better pay the necessary costs of transportation to distant 

 markets. 



This statement of facts and "conditions, considered in connection 

 with the statistics of sales of poultry products from without the 

 state in our large cities makes it apparent that Massachusetts affords 

 a promising field for a large increase in poultry farming. An attempt 

 will be made in this bulletin to present the essentials for success in 



