INTRODUCTION. IX 



subjects now treated on. My correspondents stand high in the estima- 

 tion of the society where they live ; and for my own part, I do i:ot 

 believe that one of them has uttered an expression in regard to any 

 breed of fowls in which he was not sincere, or by which he intended, 

 from interested motives, to deceive the public. Reliance may be 

 placed ou the information communicated by them. Indeed all the 

 sources from which statements are made, or arguments drawn in this 

 work, may be regarded as correct, and entitled to the credence of the 

 public. 



I may be permitted at the close of these introductory remarks, 

 simply and briefly to state, that my great object in writing this 

 Treatise on Poultry is to produce facts not theories ; truths, not fancies, 

 on an interesting branch of rural economy, and hence to communicate 

 Buch reliable information as will be calculated to benefit the public. 



"Whether I have done so, it is not for me to say. This I shall submit 

 to the judgment of the public, and let them decide. 



All new and important matter will appear in subsequent editions 

 of this work, as often as shall be deemed necessary ; in the meantime, 

 the "Northern Farmer" will be the means of transmission to the 

 public. 



TUB AUTHOR. 

 CLINTON, Oneida Co., N. Y. 



