15 



ON THE BREEDING AND ECONOMICAL MANAGE- 

 MENT OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 



BY E. A. SAMUELS. 



It is now very generally admitted, both by experimenters and 

 ■writers on the subject, that poultry husban(h-y, taking into account 

 the amount of capital invested, and the lal)or required in its man- 

 agement, is one of the most profitable branches of farm industry. 

 Constant experiment and careful observation, in various'districts, 

 have proved that at least one hundred per cent., usually one hun- 

 dred and fifty, and, with judicious management, two hundred per 

 C-nt. may be realized in it, as clear profit. 



Unfortunately, the importance of the subject has been but little 

 appreciated among farmers generally ; and, although the annual 

 production and consumption of poultry in the United States, 

 " probably exceeds $15,000,000," it is but recently that a regu- 

 lar system of management has been adopted, and the poultry 

 yard allowed a respectable position with the cattle-house and 

 sheepfold. 



The question, from which the greatest profits accrue, the rais- 

 ing of poultry for market, or the sale of eggs, is still, I think, un- 

 settled ; both systems have their earnest advocates, and strong 

 arguments have been advanced, together with results of many ex- 

 periments ; but I am inclined to tbink tliat a judicious union of 

 the two branches can be made more profitable than a persistent 

 adherence to either. Of course, circumstances in this, as in other 

 callings, control results ; and there are many considerations to be 

 taken into account, before a decision can be arrived at ; for in- 

 stance, what is the character of the country where the fowls are 

 to be kept ; what are the facilities for transportation to market ; 

 ■what amount of attention can be bestowed upon the flock. 



In an agricultural neighborhood, where food can be procured 

 at producers' prices, (tliat is, if the poulterer docs not raise his 

 own food,) and where the fowls can have access to fields and pas- 

 tures, at least twice a week ; where railroad transportation is con- 

 venient of access, (and, certainly, no Massachusetts farmer can 

 complain on this score,) and where constant attention and care 

 can be rendered, the raising of poultry for market will probably 

 be found the most profitable. 'But, in districts less agricultural 

 in character, where food for the flock must be transported, often 

 from considerable distances, and ■where only a limited amount of 

 attention can be bestowed, the production of eggs will, undoubt- 

 edly, be the most remunerative. Generally, however, as before 

 remarked, the judicious combination of both systems will ensure 

 the greatest profit. 



