INTRODUCTION. xvii 



tical, and to tell what my experience lias been; 

 and this is just what this little book is: viz., 

 What I did, and how I did it. 



It is impossible to imagine any occupation 

 more suited to a lady, living in the country, 

 than that of poultry rearing. If she has any 

 superfluous affection to bestow, let it be on her 

 chicken-kind, and it will be returned cent, per 

 cent 



The poidtry yard supplies one of the most 

 delicate descriptions of food with which man 

 has provided himself. He accepts it from 

 Nature's munificent hand as a great boon ; but 

 he is not contented to keep it as he gets it : he 

 improves upon the gift. Whoever desires to 

 realise the measure of success he has attained in 

 this, has simply to walk into next Birmingham 

 show-room, and compare what he sees there, 

 with what he remembers in the old barn 

 yards. 



