Importaxce of Real Persoxal Kxowledge. 123 



These are never very numerous, and by no means easy to obtain. The employer in such a case 

 should, in the first place, be tlwronglily satisfied that his man has the knowledge he professes, and 

 is of good character ; and then he should be left to his own judgment until the employer himself 

 has learnt enough to take some real share in the proceedings of each year. Such a man will rarely 

 seek very expensive birds, he will prefer to "breed them" himself; and if he does wish to claim a 

 twenty-guinea cup bird he may generally be trusted, as he may probably win back the amount in 

 prizes. But even in this case, the proprietor should endeavour as soon as possible really to master 

 the business for himself. There is twice the interest in a thing you understand, and every one 

 naturally likes to have a voice in his own concerns. Moreover, few men excel in all departments ; 

 and we have known a case where both employer and man were skilled breeders — more than usually 

 so, in fact — but where the employer left it entirely to his man to mate up the birds for breeding 

 cockerels, while, by common consent, the master superintended the arrangements for producing 

 pullets. Each knew and respected the other's superior judgment in that particular point. 

 Something in these things depends on natural " gift," but, as a general rule, by seeking knowledge 

 and experience ^/•j'/, success will assuredly follow, as in other things, and even the beginner may in 

 a reasonable time obtain that silver cup or coveted "First Prize" which is the legitimate ambition 

 of every amateur. 



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