INSTRUCTION IN POULTRY HUSBANDRY 11 



is known as the Poultry Raising Contest ; the pupil who com- 

 petes sets 25 eggs under each of two hens, hatches the chicks 

 and rears them to maturity, keeping a record of all the work 

 performed. The advanced contest consists in the manage- 

 ment of a certain number of layers for egg production, 

 usually during a period of one year. As a rule these contests 

 are conducted as county or township affairs, prize money 

 being divided accordingly. After the district prizes are 

 awarded, the winners in each district are carefully gone 

 over, and the best poultryman for the county chosen. From 

 one hundred to five hundred dollars prize money is usually 

 divided in the county. This is generally donated by banks, 

 newspapers, and by public spirited citizens.^ 



The Poultry Departments of the different State Colleges 

 issue primers for the use of the .pupils engaging in these 

 contests, which, measured by the interest attached to them 

 and the educational value resulting from them, are well 

 worth the trouble. The immediate future is sure to see a 

 rapid development and enlargement of this work. 



THE SCHOOL A COMMUNITY CENTER 

 The teaching of poultry husbandry in grammar and high 

 schools, the development of student associations, and the 

 awakening of commimity interest are bound to make of the 

 school a true community center, socially, educationally and 

 commercially. Around such centers, if poultry keeping is 

 a prominent industry in the community, should grow up 

 poultry show associations, also egg and dressed poultry 

 shows. Parent organizations for co-operative buying and 

 selling will be a natural outcome. Leagues for community 

 uplift and improvement associations are also possible. The 

 success of the whole enterprise depends upon the teacher's 

 zeal in getting the work started (Fig. 5). 



' See page 347 for circulars and blanks used in conducting such a 

 contest. 



