ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



THE author wishes first to express his obligations to a number 

 of persons who have aided in the preparation of this work. To 

 Mr. Morris Roberts, of Maplewood, New Jersey, is due the credit 

 for a number of the pen-and-ink drawings reproduced in the text. 

 Mrs. Harry R. Lewis has materially aided in the completion of 

 the work. Many practical poultrymen and teachers, whose names 

 are not mentioned, have offered suggestions and encouragement, 

 for which appreciation is hereby shown. To all those who have so 

 earnestly and willingly aided in the work the author expresses 

 his appreciation and indebtedness. 



As previously mentioned, it has been the object of the author 

 to write a text on poultry husbandry which should contain in 

 proper form the most complete and logical discussion of the 

 subject which was possible, from the knowledge which is at present 

 available. For many years the Federal Department of Agriculture, 

 State Colleges of Agriculture, and State Experiment Stations 

 have been experimenting and studying many of the problems 

 affecting our poultry industry. In this work some institutions 

 have taken a leading part in one phase of the field, while others 

 have pursued still other lines. An effort has been made to include 

 in this volume the latest findings from these sources, which have 

 been tested out by the author in his practices. 



Special mention should be made of the following stations. 

 The poultry department of Cornell University has been a pioneer 

 in the work of poultry investigations, and much of the best knowl- 

 edge which we have to-day originated there. In the preparation 

 of this work considerable use has been made of their findings in 

 regard to poultry-house construction, breeding for vigor and egg 

 production, and the value of pure-bred birds. Valuable informa- 

 tion, pertaining to the molt of fowls, to the feeding of young 

 and old birds, and to features of marketing, has been credited 

 to the Cornell department. The poultry departments of Perdue 

 University, Iowa StateUniversity , Connecticut Agricultural College, 

 and the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station are among 



