BRIEF REVIEW OF FOREIGN POULTRY KEEPING 35 



must vary according to the character and amount of fluctuation. 

 But, as was previously stated, this fluctuation is at all times less, 

 and can be more readily foreseen, than in any other business. 



In the second place, there are causes entirely beyond control 

 which may cause failure or delay success, such as ravages of 

 disease, fire, or close competition in a local market. All these 

 influences must be taken into consideration by the investor, and 

 the remotest chance of the occurrence of any one of them avoided 

 if possible. The poultry business, while unique in many respects, 

 is not exempt from the influences affecting other lines of normal 

 business. 



The vital question confronting the American poultryman 

 to-day is not, How can I get better prices for poultry products? 

 but, How can I produce a higher quality at a lower cost? This 

 same question was the important one years ago, and its solu- 

 tion will always be of vital moment. The factors which can 

 be made to partially solve the problem at the present time 

 are: (1) Better birds; (2) more careful mating and breeding; 

 (3) scientific study of laws governing nutrition ; (4) more liberal 

 feeding during heavy producing periods; (5) more economical 

 and sanitary housing of the laying stock; and (6) more attention 

 to the handling and marketing of poultry products. With thought 

 and attention to these points the yearty profit per bird would 

 show a great increase. 



Brief Review of Foreign Poultry Keeping. European countries 

 as a whole have received a great awakening along poultry lines dur- 

 ing recent years, there being a great increase in the number of 

 fowls kept, also a great improvement in the breeds maintained 

 and in the methods adopted. 



In England the poultry industry is greatly handicapped by 

 the preservation of foxes for the purpose of the hunt. There is 

 a special tax which goes to defray the injury done to poultry from 

 this source, yet in many cases justice is not done. In some in- 

 stances false claims are entered which tend to make unpleasant 

 conditions common. 



In spite of this handicap the industry has increased annually 

 until the yearly production has reached about ten million dollars. 

 The one great peculiarity of the English system is the use of small 

 portable houses, sometimes on wheels, which can be easily moved 

 from place to place, thus giving the birds new ground at all times. 

 The majority of English flocks of poultry are kept on small 



