8 POULTR?Y-CRAFT. 
quite impossible for their plants to grow beyond their ability to manage them. 
These men were pioneers in poultrying. The records of their progress are 
found in modern books on poultry, and in the files of the poultry journals, 
The results of their work may be seen in up-to-date poultry plants, and in the 
methods in use on such plants. The beginner of today finds sources of 
information and instruction to which his predecessors could not resort. He 
would be foolish, indeed, not to take advantage of such opportunities. A 
man should learn the business before engaging in tit on his own account. 
Books and papers are within the reach of all. Practical instruction is more 
difficult to obtain—the difficulty being to some extent due to the fact that 
those who want instruction are so often unwilling to pay for it. Too many 
have thought a few months of their unskilled labor on a poultry farm would 
amply pay for time devoted to teaching them, for losses and damages due to 
their inexperience, and for the opportunity to draw at will on the accumulated 
knowledge of an expert poultryman. Those qualified to give instruction will 
not take pupils on such terms. 
3. How Much Income. — Business Risks.— A living from poultry 1s 
surer to one who makes it his business than are profits from poultry to one 
investing in a poultry plant to be conducted by another. To give a definite 
idea of the amount to be annually realized from a plant of any given capacity, 
would be as impossible as to estimate in advance the annual profits in any 
business. People do make such estimates; but, how often are they right? It 
may be said, however, that except in a few rare instances, poultry keeping is 
not a lucrative business. Very few poultrymen are making more than a good 
living. Whether one can make a living from poultry, will depend on his fit- 
ness for the business, his judgment in choosing a location, and on the effects 
of influences by which, like every other business, this is affected. The poul- 
try keeper is subject to all ordinary business risks. Those who go into this 
business should not fail to consider; that, 
Success, the success that brings a living from poultry, means work — 
hand work, head work, and hard work, ‘This is a condition not peculiar to 
poultry keeping; that, 
Prices fluctuate, and profits vary accordingly ; and that, 
Causes beyond a man’s control may cause hts fatlure, or delay his success. 
Those points need to be emphasized, because of some serious misconcep- 
tions which have arisen in regard to poultry keeping as compared with other 
businesses. It is unique in some respects, but not in being exempt from 
influences affecting business in general. 
4. More About Profits.— More detailed statements concerning profits 
can now be given. Having read the last paragraph, no one need misunder- 
stand the statements in this. Experienced poultrymen know about what they 
can count on under favorable circumstances. They also know how to make 
