41. POULTRY (PI. II., III., IV.). 



The Profit of Poultry Raising The importance of the 

 poultry business has not been appreciated by the farmers. 

 The value of the poultry and eggs produced in the United 

 States in one year amounts to about one-half billion 

 dollars. If proper attention were given to this industry 

 on the farm, a much larger profit might be secured. A 

 small flock of not to exceed fifty hens, with careful atten- 

 tion, will add a considerable amount to the farmer's in- 

 come. It often happens that those who are unable to do 

 heavy work on the farm may employ their time with 

 profit in caring for poultry. 



Breeds of Chickens. It pays to keep nothing but pure 

 bred fowls on the farm. The common or mongrel stock 

 will eat just as much and will require just as much care 

 as the pure bred stock, and, as a rule, they do not pro- 

 duce so well. 



Chickens may be raised chiefly for the eggs which they 

 lay. They are then called " egg breeds." They may 

 be raised for their flesh. These are called " meat breeds." 

 Both of these objects may be served, and the fowl belong 

 to the " general purpose " breeds. 



Egg Breeds. The best known egg breeds are the Leg- 

 horn, the Minorca, and the Houdan. 



The Leghorns may be brown, white, black or buff. 

 They are rather small, nervous fowls, with large red 

 combs and wattles. They are great layers, but they do 



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