9 



work from these feathered workers. Nature sets stern limits 

 to avarice. I will illustrate this truth by relating a bit of per- 

 sonal experience in our neighborhood. A family kept a flock 

 of sixty hens which commenced laying the beginning of winter, 

 and continued steadily uutil spring ; the net profits nearly sup- 

 porting a family of four or five persons. This news spread 

 rapidly and each family was earnestly inquiring the treatment 

 and cause. The neighbor tells us that he gave the usual treat- 

 ment, but can impart nothing further. His method was hap- 

 hazzard, and he has not watched the conditions from the com- 

 mencement. If he had kept all the figures he could only give 

 us a hint, and he does not expect that he can repeat that 

 experience again. We cannot produce eggs to the best result if 

 we work for market chickens, or strong embryo chicks if our 

 stock is in high condition. Your Committee would suggest 

 that every material fact is related to law, quite as imperative 

 as though it was fastened on the statute books ; and it is vio- 

 lated with severe penalties. The impatience and vexation of 

 the novice, or others who do not try to solve the problem, your 

 Committee do not share. There are many other aspects of the 

 industry besides eggs, which during the round year return 

 rewards. A lot of Light Brahma chickens hatched the 20th of 

 last May, weighed eight pounds each, dressed, the 20th of 

 November. 



The fancier is doing his work well, and the average farmer 

 reaps a share of the benefits. More light and more love for the 

 work is needed ; we cannot expect much of our domestic 

 animals while we have hardly emerged from primitive darkness 

 ourselves. 



A fine exhibition of Guinea fowl were confined so close that 

 the second day, when so many wanted to see, an axe and ham- 

 mer were brought to enable the Committee to feed and water 

 them and bring them to light. A few other fowl were shut up 

 too close. Your Committee are patient, knowing that much of 



