Foreword 



It is the author's intention, in this work, not only to sup- 

 ply detail knowledge of how to care for poultry, but also to 

 offer the reader something on the order of a post-graduate 

 study. 



Details will be gone into because they play a part, and 

 have a bearing, on the new viewpoints presented. 



"Coming events cast their shadows before them," and the 

 observant poultryman can often visualize conditions in such 

 a manner as to sense the necessity of changing diet, or sur- 

 roundings, before the cause of svich a necessity has worked 

 to his detriment. 



Heredity and environment are two big factors in egg pro- 

 duction ; but environment has, in the author's opinion, fully 

 as much influence on production as heredity. 



A third factor exists, which heretofore has not been recog- 

 nized as essential, which is under our control, this factor be- 

 ing the length of the hen's business day. 



The wild jungle fowl, through changed conditions, and 

 the accumulation of the results of these conditions as trans- 

 mitted by heredity, has been bred and fed to lay a greatly 

 increased average number of eggs annually ; and in the same 

 manner, and for the same reasons, we can, by providing still 

 better environments, further materially increase production — 

 thereby adding to the pleasure and profit of poultry keeping 

 as a business proposition. 



THE AUTHOR. 



