THE QUESTION OF SUPPLIES 405 



Stock and eggs are usually supplied, also ; sometimes 

 these are kept in stock ; oftener, they are bought of 

 near-by breeders who are considered reliable and whose 

 stock is known to be good. 



It almost goes without saying that a big trade in 

 medicines is handled by most of these stores. The 

 drugs are very likely to be the same as are in common 

 household use, but at an advanced price. One may 

 use household remedies for fowl diseases, the usual 

 dose for a grown fowl being about one half as much 

 as for a person, and many of the supplies may be fairly 

 well duplicated by home-made articles. But the man 

 who raises poultry " before and after dark," as many 

 a business man must, if his wife and children are not 

 interested, has no stomach for such work. It is in- 

 finitely better for him to buy the poultry supplies, 

 which, except in the case of medicines, are usually 

 quite fair in price. 



The " supply habit," however, is one against which 

 many Beginners need to be warned ; as the purchase 

 of too many of these conveniences may devour all 

 the profits of the venture. But I hold that the business 

 man who raises poultry for itself and who desires to 

 supply fresh eggs and poultry meat for his table does 

 not need to make a real profit, other than the "profit" 

 in having these things. If' his household supplies 

 balance the expenses in value, the venture is a paying 

 one for him, even though no extra dollars go into his 

 pocket. 



There are many supplies, especially of the larger 

 sort, which may be had in several styles, so that the 

 buyer has very good choice. Some models are much 



