A LITTLE PERSONAL HISTORY 13 
I was not dependent upon chickens for an 
income on which to live; but, having some 
ambition left and looking toward the future, 
and wishing to stay in the country, chose 
the keeping of chickens because it appealed 
to me. Not knowing from year to year 
whether my residence would be permanent 
I did not try to increase my flock rapidly 
until the last of the three years, consequently 
the reader must not think that a larger flock 
than 800 can not be developed in the three 
years. 
The beginning of the plant consisted of 
six Leghorn fowls purchased in February, 
Ig10, and housed in a home-made coop 3x6 
feet. These fowls began to lay shortly after 
and the chicken fever began apace so that 
40 more were bought, giving me not exactly 
a mongrel stock but still a flock of white and 
brown Leghorn, black Spanish and Wyan- 
dott fowls of no particular strain. 
COSTLY MISTAKES THAT TEACH LESSONS 
At this point note the first mistake and 
profit by it: the starting with a more or less 
scrub bunch of hens. This is not good 
policy. Rather decide upon the breed which 
suits your fancy best, or will best produce 
the results for the market you purpose to 
