178 HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN, AND 



the practice of allowing them to roam at large. In this way — 

 to say nothing of the mischief which they do in gardens and 

 fields — a large proportion of their eggs are lost, and to a con- 

 siderable extent, they become victims to birds and beasts of 

 prey. Another cause of failure is found in the very common 

 neglect of protection from cold, and of suitable feeding, and 

 other necessary attentions, in the winter months. In conse- 

 quence of this neglect, hens are valueless during cold weather, 

 because, under such circumstances they lay no eggs ; and poul- 

 try, of every description, thus treated, come out in the spring, 

 destitute of that thriftiness and energy, which are essential to the 

 full development of their capabilities of growth and production. 

 Indeed, there is no description of stock which more certainly 

 and manifestly depreciates under bad treatment, and which 

 more handsomely reciprocates good usage. 



Almost every housekeeper, it is believed, may, by an eco- 

 nomical and suitable arrangement, make the raising of the va- 

 rious kinds of poultry not only a source of great convenience in 

 his family, but of profit, in proportion to outlay, quite equal, to 

 say the least, with that arising from any other branch of do- 

 mestic culture, besides adding essentially to the enjoyments, 

 which necessarily flow from the contemplation of the results of 

 agreeable and successful labor. 



A. W. THAYER, Chairman. 



Bread, Butter and Cheese. 



The ladies, who delight in " household duties," furnished 

 your committee with a very abundant supply of bread, and 

 quite a respectable lot of butter and cheese. All the specimens 

 were in excellent taste. They were seventy-one in number; 

 being six of cheese, fourteen of butter, and fifty-one of bread. 

 Many specimens were unaccompanied with written statements 

 of the process of making. It is supposed that the society's rules 

 are well known in reference to premiums. The numerous ar- 

 ticles which had no accompanying statements, in conformity to 

 these rules, are tlierefore deemed evidence of the disposition of 



