On the Rearing and Management of Poultry. 



197 



chaser to guard against imposition. As a large profit is princi- 

 pally kept in view by most poultry-dealers^ their recommendations 

 cannot in most cases be relied on. I therefore strongly recom- 

 mend poultry-breeders to make their purchase of the poultry from 

 which their stock is intended to be raised by the aid of a friend 

 on whose veracity and judgment they can confidently depend. 



I also advise not to purchase of a dealer without inspecting 

 the birds, and knowing that the stock from which they have been 

 obtained is pure. And as confinement is detrimental to the health 

 of poultry, to g;uard against such as have been kept in coops. 



Limit of Numbers of Poultry in propoi^tion to the size of the 

 Farm. — To what better purpose can a farmer apply a great part 

 of his produce (especially at present prices) than in feeding 

 poultry ? 



From calculations I have made of the value and quantity of 

 food consumed, and the number of eggs laid, by fowls of the 

 Dutch every-day laying variety, I am enabled to state that a 

 profit of 150 per cent, may be realised. With such a startling 

 fact before us, could I recommend the limiting of the number 

 of fowls (of this breed) *^ in proportion to the size of the farm ? " 

 I am of opinion, if some part of the oat and barley crop 

 which is carried to market were consumed on the farm by 

 poultry, that it would be of great national benefit, by not only 

 increasing the profits of the farmer, but by increasing the fertility 

 of the soil by a greater supply of manure. It is true the prices 

 of poultry and eggs may be so reduced as to be unremunerative ; 

 but such prices 1 do not anticipate. 



Fowls are more profitable than turkeys, and the latter more 

 than guinea-fowls ; the proportion of fowls should therefore be 

 decidedly the greatest. In fact, were it not that one likes to see 

 the farm-yard stocked with every variety of poultry, I would 

 recommend nothing but fowls and ducks. 



Geese, as a breeding stock, are only adapted to some situations. 

 The turkey and guinea-fowl, from the injury they do to standing 

 crops of grain, are in some situations exceedingly troublesome. 



On an arable farm of 200 acres there should not be fewer 

 than 100 fowls, as many more as convenient, 3 turkeys, 3 guinea- 

 fowls, and 12 ducks, as a standing stock. After harvest 100 

 geese should be bought to put into the stubble fields. 



From the rules of competition which we have to-day (Feb. 

 27th) received we perceive that in all reports of experiments 

 the expenses shall be accurately detailed " — a thing we have not 

 done when we stated that 150 per cent, may be realized by 

 keeping fowls of the Dutch every-day laying breed. 1 now 

 beg to state the value of food consumed, and the number of eggs 

 produced. 



