6o A POULTRY COMPENDIUM. 



object which we propose. If it be the raising of eggs 

 as chief, with the disposition of only the surplus stock 

 and extra cockerels as subordinate ends, then White Leg- 

 horns or Brown Leghorns will probably be selected. If 

 we desire to add to eggs the disposition of surplus stock, 

 and to the disposition of surplus stock, the rearing of 

 marketable poultry, we shall keep Plymouth Rocks or 

 Dorkings. If we keep Leghorns, we may find it to our 

 advantage to keep a few flocks of Light Brahmas for 

 winter laying. These crossed with the common white 

 fowls make good looking and very serviceable sitters ; if 

 we hatch out our chicks naturally we shall need them. 

 The great improvements made in incubators and brooders 

 in the past ten years may induce people to use artificial 

 in preference to natural incubation, but we are so con- 

 servative that we confess to a prejudice in favor of "the 

 good old way." 



Numberless details attach to every important business, 

 and poultry on a large scale is no exception to the 

 general rule. Before engaging in it you will be wise to 

 inform yourself of the requisites to success, the proper 

 construction and location of buildings, the proper man- 

 agement and care of fowls, the labor-saving appliances 

 which may be brought into requisition, the crops which 

 should be raised on the farm, and the thousand and one 

 things necessary to be known for the proper prosecution 

 of such an undertaking. By all means read what has 

 been written upon this subject, commencing with Stod- 

 dard's An Egg Farm ; but do not rest in simply read- 

 ing. Seek out those poultry farms which are in success- 

 ful operation to-day and make a careful study of their 



