INTRODUCTION. 



ever, with a clear conscience, that mine are in- 

 tended to be honest. 



I have not shrunk from giving them, any 

 more than from expressing my own opinions 

 on all points. I take this opportunity, how- 

 ever, to thank those eminent breeders who 

 have kindly furnished me with their experience, 

 and whose letters, in my opinion, so much en- 

 hance the value of this book. 



I have striven not to be dogmatical, and in 

 a matter in which " much may be said on 

 both sides," I wished to give all arguments 

 fair play. To have done otherwise, would 

 have been to forfeit the confidence of the reader, 

 as weU as to make a very daring infringe- 

 ment on the prerogative of the " Editor of The 

 Times." 



All success, then, to the poultry yard ! 



Are you a lover of nature? Come with me, 

 and view with delighted gaze her chosen dyes. 



