30 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



amount of protein used to balance the grain ration not only 

 reduced the death rate but also promoted rapid growth. 



The same principle applies in feeding for egg production, 

 for fattening and finishing for market, for the molting i)eriod, 

 and for exhibition condition of fancy fowls. The ration 

 should, for best results, be balanced for its purpose, all the 

 conditions being considered, and use made of the available 

 feeding stuffs which are best adapted, most economical and 

 effective. 



Whether mashes shall be fed, or exclusive dry feeding- 

 followed ; what feed' stuffs to use, and the special method of 

 feeding, — all these and other related details nmst be worked 

 out by the poultryman according to the conditions and as a 

 part of his business. 



Specialization. 



In working out his problem, the farmer usually finds it 

 necessary to do as other successful business men are doing, 

 and specialize in order to make his poultry pay the largest 

 profit. 



The production of the favorite "south shore chickens" 

 has become a business which engages the efforts and employs 

 the equipment on hundreds of farms in south-eastern Massa- 

 chusetts. Brahma and Plymouth Rock chickens are hatched 

 in summer and autumn, and reared to be sold as roasters the 

 following spring and early sunnner, when such stock is scarce 

 and high priced in the Boston market. 



This is a good illustration of special poultry farming by 

 men who have sufficient enterprise to do things differenthj 

 from the habitual way, when it proves profitable. 



Farms devoted exclusively to egg production for market 

 are not lacking, although their number is exceeded by farms 

 on which the raising of broik>r and roaster chickens is added 

 to the egg production. 



Boston furnishes the best market for fine quality of eggs 

 and market fowl in the United States. 



Some farmers who are natural Iv ffood salesmen find it 

 advantageous to run retail routes, sup})lying fresh eggs and 

 dressed chickens weekly to families, which pay good cash 

 prices. 



