No. 4.] POULTliY FEEDING. 413 



SOME PRACTICAL PHASES OF POULTRY FEEDING. 



BY JOHN H. ROBINSON, EDITOR OF FARM POULTRY. 



It is an almost universal human habit to regard every result as 

 brought about by a special cause, and in a single way. Most of us 

 grow out of this superficial view in regard to things to which we have 

 to give some thought ; but it seems to require a decided effort to keep 

 out of it in dealing with new matters or things which we do mechan- 

 ically, as we were taught to do them, or have always seen them done. 

 When we engage in something new, or seek to equal the accomplish- 

 ments of those who have surpassed us in any way, we are apt to look 

 for a key to success, or the secret of success, — for some one thing 

 which is at the same time essential to and a guarantee of success. 

 And when we have found out one thing that seems to be effective for 

 the result we seek to accomplish, we are apt to be satisfied and to 

 look no farther for causes, unless experience (as it often does) soon 

 indicates that there must be other points to consider. 



In poultry culture such matters as the merits of breeds, of methods 

 of feeding, of systems of housing, etc., are commonly discussed as if 

 each were of utmost importance. To himself or to others a poultry- 

 man i^ropounds such general questions as "Is breed of more impor- 

 tance than feed?" "What method of feeding will give best results 

 in egg production?" "How many S(|uare feet floor space must be 

 allowed per hen to keep hens healthy?" "How many hens to a male 

 to insure fertile eggs and vigorous chicks?" and so on through an 

 almost inexhaustible list. Authorities and experts devote much time 

 and sjjace, and sometimes a little temper, to arguments intended to 

 prove favorite breeds, methods or features of prime importance and 

 indispensable; while those who are looking for the truth are at the 

 same time confused by all this disagreement, and more confirmed 

 in the idea that success depends on the discovery of some secret, or 

 the adoption of some special method. Men with commercial or am- 

 bitious ends to serve take advantage of the general unsettled state 

 of opinion to exploit, and sell at a premium, their special brands of 

 goods, or to get reputation and credit for their pet ideas. I mention 

 this not to find fault with them. Such things may be done legitimately 

 and honestly; but, in order that we may properly discount statements 



