POULTRY-CRAFT. 89 
breeding, therefore need not be introduced here). The best way is to buy 
both sexes of the same breeder, he mating the stock for the results desired by 
his customer.* 
Another’ thing the inexperienced buyer needs to consider is, that if the 
produce of the stock does not come up to expectations; this may be due to 
the effect of a change of climate and treatment on the parent stock, or due 
to lack of skill in caring for young stock; that it is more likely to be due to 
the latter cause than to the other, and ten times more likely to be the fault of 
the buyer than due to any cause chargeable to the seller. Such statements are 
neither soothing nor flattering to thosc who, having failed to realize expecta- 
tions in their first attempts to rear good stock, are disposed to blame every- 
thing but their own incapacity. They are true, none the less, as many will 
find if they will give the same stock another trial— more favorable because 
of their increasing experience. A good workman can do creditable work 
with poor tools and poor material; a poor workman bungles with good tools, 
and botches a job, no matter how good the material,— generally the better the 
material the worse it is botched. When it is clear that the fault .s in the stock 
or in the mating, it is surely no more than fair to the seller of the stock to 
inform him of results, asking his advice and assistance in remedying matters. 
He will, doubtless, be found willing to do all that could reasonably be 
expected of any business man in a similar case, zf the matter 7s stated fairly 
and courteously. A breeder is concerned for his customers’ success. He 
will do everything in reason to assure it. It is his reputation — his bread and 
butter. 
There are rare cases where buyers are deliberately swindled. To seek 
redress at law, is generally to throw good money after bad. The best thing 
to do is to file a complaint, stating the facts in the case, with the paper or 
papers in which the party advertised. Such complaints are carefully investi- 
gated, and though it is hard to obtain conclusive proof of fraud, no reputable 
paper will carry the advertisement of one against whom complaints are 
numerous and apparently well grounded. 
111. When to Buy.— In the fall is the best time to buy stock. Good 
stock can be bought for less money then than at any other season. The early 
buyer gets the best selection. It is better too, for the fowls to be moved to 
their new quarters before the hens begin laying. It is a mistake to put off 
the purchase of breeding stock until just prior to the breeding season. One 
* NoTE.— When an amateur, or even one who thinks he has passed that stage, buys 
stock of a better breeder than himself, who, knowing all about the stock, has mated it for 
best results, the buyer consults his own best interests by breeding the stock just as mated 
for him. Persons who have spoiled enough good stock to know better, will buy a pair, a 
trio, or a pen of fowls, which are sent them properly mated. A foolish prejudice — (it 
‘is mere prejudice ) — against inbreeding leads them to mismate the birds, and virtually 
throw away what they paid for when buying them. 
