SOME THINGS THAT MIGHT BE DONE. 157 



So in concluding this series of lessons I would like to say to all who have followed them, and 

 especially to the many who have testified to the help they have found in them in such matters 

 as feeding, building, breeding, etc., this question of an efficient organization of poultry interests 

 is of as much importance to the poultryman the one who stays a poultryman, as any subject 

 in which poultrymen are interested. 



In the course of these lessons I have at times imposed my opinions on readers. I have said 

 of one thing and another: Take my word for this; or try this, and be convinced. As unhesi- 

 tatingly I now urge on the reader who has not interested himself in organization, or has allowed 

 his interest to lapse : Interest yourself in and for a poultry organization in your locality. If 

 there is one there already go into it and help and be helped. If there is none, organize one. 

 Get together the few (there are always nearly always a few) interested in poultry, and 

 have monthly meetings to exchange ideas. Thus you establish a nucleus about which local 

 interest in poultry grows. Even the man or woman who is isolated in his interest in poultry 

 has hope of companionship, for that interest is everywhere contagious. 



Out of efficiency and permanence In local organization comes the power to protect poultry 

 interests locally. This means a great deal in such u matter, as, for Instance, a city ordinance 

 prohibiting the keeping of fowls within the city limits. Usually a move to enact such an ordi- 

 nance finds poultry keepers unorganized and unable to make any effective protest. Ordinances 

 of this character are usually too rigid, arbitrary, and oppressive. There may be there usually 

 is need of some regulation, but the entire prohibition of fowls within the city limits is not 

 necessary, and if poultry keepers are organized and in position to make their rights respected 

 they can secure such modification of a proposed ordinance as is desirable and fair. 



As an illustration of what might be accomplished by concert of action by the local associa- 

 tions within a state, take the case of the proposed fox bounty law in Massachusetts a few years 

 ago. This was a law to protect those engaged in an important industry. It was opposed by 

 the fox hunters, who acted in concert, while the poultrymen did not. The result is that foxes 

 flourish here increasingly. 



As an illustration of what might be done by a powerful national organization, take the matter 

 of express rates and regulations in regard to the transportation of fine fowls. Rates are 

 unequal and often unfair, regulations mostly in the interest of the carrier, and to take away as 

 far as possible protection to the shipper or purchaser. The express companies make and 

 unmake rates and rules at will. Poultrymen find fault, protest ineffectively, and submit, 

 because there is no collective force behind their protests. 



These are but a few of the things that go wrong for lack of strong organizations of poultry- 

 men, most of which would be righted with comparative ease if taken in hand by an organiza- 

 tion having the united support of those whose interests were affected. 



These matters may not obtrude themselves constantly on the poultryman as do those which 

 we call the practical details of the business, but they are none the less vital. They can be 

 dealt with only by concerted action, but concerted action can come only as individual poultry- 

 HMD unite to make it. The responsibility is on everyone. 



