PREFACE. 



THIS work is intended as a practical guide to those 

 about to commence Poultry keeping, and to provide those 

 who already have experience on the subject with the most 

 trustworthy information compiled from the best authorities 

 of all ages, and the most recent improvements in Poultry 

 Breeding and Management. The Author believes that he 

 has presented his readers with a greater amount of valu- 

 able information and practical directions on the various 

 points treated than will be found in most similar works. 

 The book is not the result of the Author's own experience 

 solely, and he acknoAvledges the assistance he has received 

 from other authorities. Among those whom he has con- 

 sulted he desires specially to acknowledge his obligations 

 to Mr. Tegetmeier, whose " Poultry Book " (published by 

 Messrs. Routledge & Sons, London) contains his especial 

 knowledge of the Diseases of Poultry; and to Mr. L. 

 Wright, whose excellent and practical Treatise, entitled 

 "The Practical Poultry Keeper" (published by Messrs. 

 Cassell, Petter & Galpin, London), cannot be too highly 

 commended. 



