fi INTROfcUCTION. 



and be encouraged to introduce fresh stock and new ways of 

 management. In a few districts, as we shall hereafter show, some- 

 thing has already been done. Individuals have interested them- 

 selves in the way indicated with most satisfactory results, showing 

 that with a guiding influence and right methods the people are 

 ready to respond. But of themselves they can do nothing. In 

 the proper place we shall show who are the right persons to 

 undertake the work, how they can best do it, and the lines upon 

 which they must act. Without their aid this first class of poultry- 

 keepers, with their miserable, in-bred, ill-kept fowls, getting worse 

 year by year, will go on as now. But if they will help towards 

 improvement, we believe that the whole poultry industry in the 

 districts specially before our mind can be rapidly and effectively 

 revolutionised. 



The second class of poultry-keepers are those whose farms are 

 larger, and who from their means and position are enabled to 

 help themselves, if they know how. At one time they despised 

 poultry-keeping, aspired to touch only the larger stock, went in 

 for corn growing, and left poultry to the women-folk. But the 

 force of events has been too strong for them. They have been 

 compelled to alter their ideas very materially, and now it is not 

 too much to say that they have very open minds as to the smaller 

 products, and are anxious to develop in directions that were 

 ignored before. In many districts of the country the matter has 

 been taken up, and we have been very pleased to see the strong 

 indications, in the quality of egg and of table fowl marketed, that 

 this class has been influenced. To them we must look at present 

 for the best qualities of table-fowl. They can al^so supply fine 

 eggs, bot especially can they send forth chickens fit to compete 

 with any other producer, whether at home or abroad. With them 

 the object is profit also. But from their condition and position 

 they are well able to help themselves and then assist others. 

 They, however, need to be guided, to be stimulated somewhat, 

 and to be shown not only the best breeds to keer» for the soecial 



