THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



materials employed), but which will manufacture 

 the article most expeditiously, and give the 

 quickest return of serviceable food ; here I think 

 it will not be questioned that the Cochin breed 

 possesses this property in a pre-eminent degree." 



The question then naturally arises, which is 

 the most profitable breed to keep ? The answer 

 must be, that which feeds best at an early age 

 at the least expense, and that which possesses 

 those properties most valued for food. Where 

 every article of food has to be purchased, and 

 no range can be permitted beyond limited yards 

 and inclosures, there must be sales at fancy 

 prices, and, moreover, great skill to remunerate 

 the outlay ; but wherever poultry has been kept 

 as a regular item in the economy of a farm- 

 yard, or even a laborer's cottage, we fully be- 

 lieve that a good breed of Dorking or Cochin 

 China fowls properly managed will justify our 

 present opinion of their merits as early layers, 

 as also for their flesh. 



For beauty the Dorkings surpass the larger 

 kinds. They have short legs, small bones, full 

 breasts, beautiful white flesh, quite equal in 

 that to any breed ; they fatten quickly indeed, 

 if well fed, need no cooping for the table. 



In spite of their high price, in spite of the 

 prejudice which exists against the Cochin Chi- 

 na for the table, and the quantity of corn they 

 are accused of consuming, we do most assured- 

 ly believe them to be the best fowl for the poor 

 man and the farmer, considering them not as 

 fancy, but only as productive, stock. 



If it be worth the farmer's or cottager's while 

 to keep poultry, it is worth their while to con- 

 sider how they may do so most profitably, and 

 make the best arrangement for their manage- 

 ment in every particular. 



It is an acknowledged fact, and it is not the 

 less true, that most old women who live in cot- 

 tages know better how to rear chickens than 

 any other persons ; they are more successful ; 

 and it may be traced to the fact that they keep 

 but few fowls; that these fowls are allowed to 

 run freely in the house, to roll in the ashes, to 

 approach the fire, and to pick up any crumbs or 

 eatable morsels they may find on the ground, 

 and are nursed with the greatest care and in- 

 dulgence. 



It is not every one who is in possession of 

 such an abode for his poultry; but wherever, 

 in addition to these advantages, discretion and 

 judgment in the selection of the birds are 

 shown, the fortunate individual will always be 

 a dangerous competitor, both as regards the 

 condition of his older birds, and the vigor, 

 growth, and form of their offspring. 



Let us not be supposed, by what has been said 

 heretofore of the necessity of constant atten- 

 tion, to throw any discouragement on poultry- 

 keeping ; so far from it, one great object of our 

 present work is to explain how it may be so done 

 as best to pay the cost and labor it must entail. 

 But neither in this nor in any other business 

 Mill it answer for a person to engage without 

 some experience of what they have to deal with, 

 and a careful calculation of outlay and returns. 

 Hoping, indeed, that this book may fall into the 

 hands of very many to whom the profit and loss 

 on their adventure are of importance, our cau- 

 tions must be plainly given ; so that, after all, 

 the columns of the egg-book and the result of 

 sales may not be exceeded by the charges for 

 barley, oats, corn, and a host of other items. 



The cottager, the farmer, and the amateur 

 who would wish to make his poultry pay, must 

 each see to this. It is true that, for those fond 

 of such pursuits, there will be much amusement, 

 much daily increase of knowledge of the natural 

 history and habits of our pets ; where this alone 

 is thought worth paying for, no one can find 

 fault. But our other friends and an infinitely 

 larger class are thus comprised must find them- 

 selves remunerated for their investment of mon- 

 ey or time. No poultry-keeper, indeed, high or 

 low, has a right to complain of want of success, 

 if he neglects keeping a regular account of food 

 consumed and profit by poultry and eggs sold. 

 Without this he is journeying in the dark, and 

 the usual termination of such undertakings will 

 also, doubtless, be his. This hint, we imagine, 

 may prove of service to very many of those 

 who can least afford to suffer loss by their poul- 

 try, and who most desire to increase their gains ; 

 for, after all, it is only by following out a reg- 

 ular system of management that any person can 

 expect to satisfy himself that fowls, of whatever 

 breed they may be, do really pay. Many dis- 



