ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



7* 



with many failures. The increased interest in poultry raising during the 

 past few years has resulted in a perfection of breeds that has put the 

 American poultry breeder at the head of all the nations. 



Only a few years ago there were no pure bred fowls worth mention- 

 ing, while at this time there are men in nearly all the states who are widely- 

 known because of their skill and success in breeding poultry. The fanciers 

 work, when thoroughly learned, with the present large demand for pure 

 bred poultry, must of all necessity prove much more remunerative than: 

 the production of poultry and eggs for market. From competent author- 

 ity we learn that two or three hundred dollar^ are sometimes realized as 

 the result of a single setting of eggs of some of the highly prized breeds. 

 Such prices are, of course, exceptional, and should not be considered by 

 any one contemplating engaging in the business. The cost of keeping- 

 fowls, in proportion to their income, as compared with other stock, is 

 small. We should take into consideration the fact that for a large por- 

 tion of the year they not enly obtain their living, but do an immense 

 amount of good in the destruction of noxious insects. 



Mr. J. R. Brahazon of Wisconsin, a successful breeder of many years 

 experience, gives the cost at 95c a year to keep a hen in a good thrifty- 

 condition, and the same authority iigures a profit of $1.21, or more than 

 100 percent. 



While it is not our purpose in this paper to figure the profits of the 

 business, yet the showing of what some have done and what others may 

 accomplish, cannot be out of place, and if a profit of over 100 per cent 

 can be made by one person in the production of eggs and poultry, it is a 

 practical demonstration of the fact that others can do equally as well, al- 

 though it must not be assumed that every kind of fowl will make such a 

 showing. 



The best pure breeds or their crosses should be selected, and every 

 person must determine for themselves by the circumstances surrounding 

 them which of the breeds are best adapted to their wants. While it 



