A6R1C. 

 LIBRARY 



PREFACE. 



IN laying before the public this new, enlarged, and much improved edi- 

 tion of the " American Poulterer's Companion," the author deems it necessary 

 and not out of place to offer a few remarks regarding the undertaking. The 

 work was first commenced in consequence of the urgent solicitation of nu- 

 merous friends, who professed to think that I was well qualified for the task, 

 and an authority upon which reliance could be placed, from the fact that 

 the main portion of my lifetime had been devoted to the subject of poultry ; 

 for from my earliest youth I have taken great delight in studying, compar- 

 ing, and admiring our numerous varieties of domestic fowls, which tend so 

 much to enliven and adorn our farm-yards. 



Impressed for a long time with the belief that poultry, under proper man- 

 agement, might be made as profitable, according to the capital invested, as 

 any other branch of industry properly connected to farming ; and with the 

 view of satisfying myself on that point, I kept an accurate account of ex- 

 penses and income, and found, on footing up the account, my previous opin- 

 ion confirmed. From this register of results I have been enabled to draw 

 such observations as I hope may be found correct and useful to such as seek 

 information on the subject. 



It is a common saying, that if we would sit down and write that which 

 we have practically learned upon almost any subject, the information imparted 

 could scarcely fail of being useful. Just so far my ambition extends. Nor 

 is the world entirely without need of advice on this subject, notwithstanding 

 its antiquity and the multitude of counselors. Of this fact I have had am- 



