1 8 THE STATE AS FARMER 



rearing area enlarged by the quiet and un- 

 remitting attention of the poultry manager 

 at headquarters. There is no industry less 

 suitable for the energies of the amateur and 

 faddist. These people merely fall a prey 

 to those who batten on their enthusiasms 

 for certain clans in the feathered world. 

 Disappointment supervenes and the dictum 

 goes forth that poultry cannot be made to 

 pay. And we can see a very good reason 

 why, here in England especially, Providence 

 should allow such a dictum to go forth. Other- 

 wise the land would be devoted to that 

 industry or ' fancy ' alone — after foxes had 

 been given their allowance — and meat, milk, 

 corn, and vegetables would have to be obtained 

 from wherever they might chance to be. The 

 time is now far past when we can afford to 

 treat our little land in such a foolish way. 

 Farming, to be successful to us all as citizens 

 of the one State — which might possibly in 

 the cause of righteousness be cut off for a 

 time from the outer world — must be con- 

 sidered as an organised whole in which the 

 products of our very sawdust have their place. 

 We need poultry and eggs ; it is therefore 



