158 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



POULTRY. 



NANTUCKET. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Poultry. — We would suggest the propriety of breeding 

 only choice .fowls until every valuable species be intro- 

 duced into our county. It costs just as much to raise common 

 fowl as pure breeds that are adapted to our situations, and 

 the returns, both in eggs and poultry, are greatly in favor of 

 the latter. The first consideration, with regard to breeds, is 

 whether eggs only are the chief object, or poultry, or eggs 

 and poultry combined. The intelligent breeding of poultry 

 is, we are convinced, of far greater utility than many are dis- 

 posed at first to concede. It has been said, and with much 

 truth, that "Massachusetts beats the world in poultry." The 

 skill and nice power of observation which is requisite in a 

 successful poultry fancier, must be invaluable Avhen applied 

 in the direction of other live-stock. The same habits of 

 careful and attentive observation of the points and strains, 

 of color, form, size and production of one class, obtains, 

 as in the other. All breeding is done by this sagacity and 

 keen observation. The highest authorities recommend the 

 " Standard of Excellence " as the best work on the points of 

 poultry. 



Leghorns, Hamburgs, Houdans and Plymouth Rocks are 

 recommended as the most desirable laying fowls. If layers 

 and large size are desirable combined, light and dark Brahmas 

 and Buff Cochins are ranked first, the latter very remarkable 

 for size and weight. 



Poultry-yards should be dry, gravelly soil. Cleanliness 

 and ventilation are most indispensable requisites in roosting- 

 houses. They should be warm in winter and cool in summer, 

 and can be so rendered by having glass sashes on three sides 

 of the main room, making it so warm by the sun's heat during 



