88 POULTRY BREEDING IX 



be relied on in a commercial point of view, which is the 

 practical test of its merit. If undoubtedly a success, then 

 I can see no limits to the profitable production of poultry 

 in England. Turkeys and geese of the largest breeds 

 are now worth very nearly as much as a fat sheep of the 

 smallest breeds, and it is passing strange that you must 

 give two pence for a " new-laid egg," when you may ^uy 

 a quarter of wheat for thirty-two shillings. High author- 

 ities tell us it does not pay to feed oxen, and farmers now 

 say they are selling grain at prices for which it can hardly 

 be grown ; so I am induced to ask if the experiment of a 

 regular and well-managed poultry farm would be likely 

 to succeed ; for if so I should be very well inclined to try 

 if England cannot produce eggs and fowls as cheaply as 

 France ; and, further, if the air of our own happy land is 

 not fully as congenial as that of Belgium to an — Ostend 

 Rabbit. 



Poultry Keeping from a Commercial Point of 

 View. 



It is for Englishmen to determine whether England is 

 capable of profitably supplying eggs and poultry for her 

 own consumption ; but I am painfully surprised to notice 

 how very few seem to take an interest in the subject, 

 which you have been pleased to bring before your numer- 

 ous readers with laudable zeal and perseverance. When 

 I had the honor of addressing you in No. 204, I was in 

 total ignorance of the highly interesting discussion raised 

 by Mr. Geyelin, whose ability and industry entitle him to 

 public sympathy and support, at least to the extent of 



