Iv INTRODUCTION. 



in their footsteps. As to the influence of shows, we shall nave 

 somewhat to remark later on. Now it is only necessary to say 

 that their power for good is far and away beyond what is generally 

 supposed, and that they have already done much in some districts 

 to stimulate poultry-keeping and improve the type of fowls. 

 There is yet another benefit which accrues to this section of 

 poultry-keepers. Fresh eggs and good fowls on the table mean 

 the best of food, and for invalids and children are almost 

 essential. 



Recognising the importance of poultry-keeping as an industry, 

 as a profitable addition to farming operations, and as a pleasurable 

 pursuit, the publishers have invited us to take up the question 

 practically and exhaustively, so as to supply the information 

 needed by the three classes of poultry-breeders named. This 

 it is now our purpose to do. But, in order to understand 

 thoroughly the conditions of the country, its opportunities, the 

 class of fowl now kept, and the directions in which improve- 

 ment can most easily and satisfactorily be secured, the writer 

 has recently paid a prolonged visit to Ireland, travelling over 

 the entire country, examining in all the four provinces the 

 existing state of affairs, and interviewing those who are most 

 closely connected with poultry breeding and keeping, and 

 marketing the produce. The result of these observations will be 

 given in some of the succeeding chapters, together with sugges- 

 tions as to how Improvement can be made most effectively. 

 Where efforts have been already put forward the result arrived st 

 will be shown, as a guide to others ; where mistakes have been, 

 and are being, made, it will be necessary to point these out ; if 

 there are any special hindrances in the way of development — 

 where high freightage, merchants' charges, unfair dealing, give the 

 foreigner an undue preference on the British markets, we shall 

 say so, and, if possible, state the remedy; we shall have need 

 to plainly state in what way Irish eggs and poultry have lost the 

 Dlace they once had in the English market ; how the foreigner. 



