8 PREFACE. 



insisted on the canons to be observed, both in the 

 selection of stock and in the methodical care to be 

 bestowed on poultry, and thus points out the easiest 

 way to a pleasurable occupation, open to the humblest 

 of our artisans and cottagers, and above all to an 

 industry which, in view of our large annual imports in 

 this particular department, may be developed to an 

 almost unlimited extent. Nor is there, as he clearly 

 shows, any valid reason why we should not produce 

 table poultry under conditions as favourable as those 

 which prevail elsewhere, especially in Prance. 



It is a satisfaction to all who are labouring to 

 promote poultry breeding, on a rational and lucrative 

 basis, to know that our authorities are moving in the 

 right direction. 



I may cite the many gratifying examples of success 

 brought to the notice of Mr. R. Henry Eew, who, in 

 pursuance of a decision of the Eoyal Commission on 

 Agriculture, has been inquiring into the actual state 

 of the poultry rearing and fattening industry .of the 

 Heathfield district of Sussex. 



One of these cases, a fairly typical one, shows how 

 a start may be made. The man referred to was 

 employed as a farm labourer, receiving 15s. per week 

 wages, out of which he paid 2s. per week for his 

 cottage, to which a good garden was attached. His 

 employer lent him 24 hens and 2 male birds, with a 

 movable house, and allowed him to run the fowls over 

 his fields. From this stock he reared chickens all the 

 year round, selling them at prices ranging from Is. 8d. 

 to 3s. 6d. each, and contriving by good management 

 to secure a large niuuber in April, when they brought 



