BO ON POULTRY. 



tribes, which has sprung up of late years, promises the most 

 satisfactory results. This interest is most strongly manifested 

 when men are so far carried away by their enthusiasm as not only 

 to cackle and crow with delight over their choice young broods, 

 but so far identify themselves with the feathered race as actu- 

 ally to lay eggs — on Editors' tables ; and when even our grave 

 Legislators are contented to sit so much longer than the most 

 patient of the poultry tribes. People are beginning to appre- 

 ciate the value of these once neglected races. They see that 

 they not only yield good pecuniary returns, but that in other 

 respects they are the friends and benefactors of our race. 

 Without their aid what a gloom would be cast over our 

 Thanksgiving festival, and what an absurd mockery would it 

 be to congratulate each other on a merry Christmas. Suppose 

 the female fowls to be animated by some patriotic impulse, 

 such for instance as was once felt by our Revolutionary moth- 

 ers in their refusal of tea, — and that they should unanimously 

 refuse to lay eggs. What a revolution would take place in 

 our kitchens and larders, and of what possible use would be 

 books of cookery and housewifery. Sensibility shudders at 

 the solidity of fruit cakes, and humanity mourns over the spe- 

 cific gravity of batter puddings ! 



We gladly turn from this sad picture to witness the quiet 

 enjoyment of the feathered families as they range their little 

 domain. With Avhat joyful exultation is the advent of each 

 new laid egg announced by the merry cackling of the whole 

 domestic assemblage. How carefully and tenderly the ma- 

 tronly hen attends her young chicks until their arrival to the 

 full maturity of puUethood. How proudly and with what 

 majestic mien and dainty step does Chanticleer walk the barn 

 yard, and with what courteous dignity and chivalrous courage 

 does he watch over his feathered realm. No wonder that 

 Socrates, the wisest of ancient philosophers, thought this noble 

 bird the most acceptable sacrifice to the immortal gods, and 

 that our Puritan sires placed his effigy on the spires of their 

 houses of worship. He is the herald of the morning and the 

 clear and ringing tones of his warning voice are first heard to 



