BY JAMES E. RICE 25 



live that we who are charged with the responsibilities of teaching and 

 investigating the subject of poultry husbandry must co-operate for mutual 

 development. 



Poultry Husbandry is old as an art but new as a science. Our methods 

 are largely those of rules applicable to special use, rather than of principles 

 for general application. We need more facts rather than more opinions, 

 more results of experiment and research, and better classification of our 

 present knowledge in order that we may deduct natural laws. This can 

 best be brought about by getting together. We are now trying to work out 

 our own salvation in our own way without knowing what others in the 

 same occupation are doing. The sum total of our combined knowledge of 

 poultry husbandry is far greater than our individual knowledge. The 

 conclusion is obvious. We must compare our experiences, combine our 

 knowledge, pool our interests, and join hands, hearts and heads for mutual 

 help. 



Poultry Husbandry is one of the last of the important branches of agri- 

 culture to be given attention by the agricultural colleges and experiment 

 stations. We have made great progress in the few years since the first 

 departments were established. This has been accomplished, in most 

 instances, under trying and discouraging circumstances. The results, 

 however, have justified the effort. Here and there, persons who are 

 responsible for the organization and development of the agricultural 

 colleges and experiment stations are coming to recognize the importance of 

 poultry husbandry and are endeavoring to give it proper support. Our 

 meeting can accomplish much by discussing the needs of poultry depart- 

 ments. We should agree, among ourselves, as to what constitutes adequate 

 facilities as to land, stock, buildings, equipment and teaching or investigat- 

 ing staff, etc. We will accomplish more if we present a united front. We 

 will command respect only in proportion as we respect ourselves and show 

 that we deserve support and that we know what we require to make a 

 department efficient. In order to do this we must fraternize and organize. 



Inspiration always should result when right minded people in a similar 

 calling confer to learn of each other's successes and failures. This should 

 always be one of the most important purposes of such a meeting. 



The purposes of this meeting, therefore, I take it, are: 



First : To arrive at a better understanding as to how we should teach 

 and investigate and extend the knowledge of better poultry husbandry. 



Second : To decide upon questions of policy and practice. 



Third: To endeavor to organize as workers for greater unity and 

 efficiency; and 



