ox A TOWN LOT. 13 



common error to invest in expensive cliiclfen houses and buy cheap 

 stock. Whatever breed you buy, go to some reputable breeder and 

 secure good stock. Remember that it is quality of stock that pays 

 the large dividends, and not the expensive poultry houses. You can 

 raise good birds from good stock in a cheap building, but you cannot 

 raise good birds from poor stock, no matter how good your buildings. 

 If you have twenty-five, fifty or one hundred dollars to invest, buy a 

 pen of five birds in place of a dozen. 



I made the usual mistake beginners make by buying ordinary 

 stock to start with. I went to a certain breeder and bought from 

 his utility fiock, and from other breeders the same quality. At the 

 end of the first year I found I had made a serious mistake, as I had 

 lost a year's time and had nothing but utility birds — something that 

 intelligent chicken people don't want. It taught me a lesson, how- 

 ever, and I resolved to get the very best birds money could buy. 

 At the end of the first year I had discarded my other breeds and had 

 secured the best stock that money could buy of my favorite breed. 

 At the end of the second year I had a flock of strictly high-grade 

 birds, and found I was on the right road to success. 



At the Poultry Shows 



I commenced showing my birds at several shows, both small and 

 large, and was fortunate" in winning the major portion of the prizes. 

 I soon ceased to exhibit at the small shows and sent birds only to 

 the largest shows. I found it was fine sport, besides being a good 

 advertisement. At the first show I visited I remember my experience. 

 I was showing King William I., a handsome cockerel who had won 

 first at the great Dairy Show, London, England, and was naturally 

 proud of him. A man admired him very much and asked my price. 

 I told him one thousand dollars. It was fortunate for me that he 

 did not buy him, because he has been the foundation of my flock 

 and he has been worth not less than ten thousand dollars to me. 

 It does not pay to sell your best stock. I never price my best birds. 

 They are always to be found in my breeding pen. By doing this I 

 have been able to keep improving my flock, and when my customers 

 want eggs from prize winners they get them. 



Advertising Pays Well 



After getting a splendid show record I commenced to advertise. 

 I wanted to burn into the mind of the buying public the merits of 

 my chickens, to make it understand my breed was without a peer. 

 This is the prime object in advertising, and the simpler the story 

 can be told, the stronger will be ^ the impression made. Every 



