222 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Your committee will not here discuss the merits of the differ- 

 ent breeds of fowls, as they believe more depends on the man- 

 agement than on the breed. They will simply suggest, however, 

 that when eggs alone are the object, the Black Spanish is an 

 excellent variety, as the hens seldom desire to sit. 



If one desires to rear chickens for the market, as well as to 

 be supplied with eggs, the Dorking would be a good breed ; or 

 a mixture of the Dorking or Black Spanish with the common 

 native breeds would produce desirable results. But any breed, 

 with proper attention, will produce a profit ; while no fowls, 

 if neglected, will yield enough to pay the keeping and trouble. 

 In looking over the statements of the exhibitors, we find that 

 the profits on well managed flocks of poultry are very large ; 

 in some instances amounting to three or four hundred per 

 cent, on the capital invested. It is not always possible to 

 make so large a profit as this, but your committee are satisfied 

 from having kept accurate accounts for series of years, of the 

 expenses and income of a flock of fowls, and from information 

 derived from others who have done the same thing, that one 

 dollar profit may be made on each hen kept, if the flock does 

 not exceed fifty in number. And this may be done every year 

 "with only ordinary care. 



Where very large flocks have been kept together, the profits 

 have been less ; and we would recommend that in case more 

 than fifty are kept, that the flock be divided ; in which case we 

 have no doubt but that one dollar would be the minimum 

 annual profit on each hen ; which, calling the value of the hen 

 fifty cents, would be two Iiiindred per cent. Does any other 

 branch of farming pay so large a per centum of profit ? If it 

 does, we have yet to learn what it is. But it may be asked, 

 why more people have not engaged in poultry-rearing, if it is 

 so profitable ? The truth is, that comparatively few people 

 have made it profitable, which docs not seem strange to those 

 who know how a large number of farmers and others, have 

 managed the business. Those who do 9iol make it pay, may be 

 divided into two classes. 



1. Those who, a few years ago, were afflicted with a peculiar 

 disease, known as " hen fever," which affected the pockets 

 more than other parts of the system, causing tliat organ to 

 contract in direct ratio to the intensity of the fever. It is not 



