192 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



think the attractiveness of our exhibitions would be largely in- 

 creased. 



Only four exhibition coops were entered for premium, and 

 none of these were of a very high order of excellence. There 

 is one precaution which should be taken, in accordance with a 

 due regard to the health of the fowls ; all coops should be not 

 less than two feet high, and close on the backs and sides, (with 

 the exception, perhaps, of a slight opening for ventilation to- 

 wards the top,) in order to avoid drafts. It is a cruelty to ex- 

 pose fowls to the cool night air, in coops open upon every side. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



We have alluded, in the opening part of this Report, to the 

 growing interest in poultry, as evidenced by this exhibition. 

 We have no disposition to magnify unduly the department which 

 we have the honor to represent ; but being convinced that no 

 part of a farmer's investment can be made more profitable than 

 poultry under a wise and intelligent system, we venture to offer 

 a few general suggestions on this subject. 



There can be no doubt that the demand for eggs and poultry 

 in all of our large towns and cities is rapidly increasing. The 

 quantity of eggs consumed in the city of New York, for culinary 

 purposes alone, must be at least 500,000 eggs per day. In ad- 

 dition to this, there has sprung up within a few years a large 

 demand from the manufacturers of albumenized paper for pho- 

 tographic purposes, one establishment in the city of New York 

 alone consuming 900,000 per annum. 



If we consider the average price of eggs and poultry during 

 the past year in this vicinity, which has been about thirty cents 

 per dozen for the former, and say twenty-eight cents per pound 

 for the latter, together with the average cost of corn, it seems 

 clear that there has been a handsome margin for profit. 



It has been ascertained that one hen consumes not to exceed 

 one bushel of corn per annum. She will lay about one hundred 

 and twenty eggs per annum. Suppose we take a flock of twenty 

 hens and three cocks, costing one dollar each, . . |23 00 

 Estimated cost of poultry-house and fixtures, . . 27 00 



150 00 

 Twenty hens will produce 200 eggs per annum, at 30 



cents per dozen, . . . . . . . 60 00 



