Importance of Real Personal Knowledge. 123 
These are never very numerous, and by no means easy to obtain. The employer in such a case 
should, in the first place, be thoroughly satisfied that his man has the knowledge he professes, and 
is of good character ; and then he should be left to his own judgment until the employer himself 
has learnt enough to take some real share in the proceedings of each year. Such a man will rarely 
seek very expensive birds, he will prefer to “breed them” himself ; and if he does wish to claim a 
twenty-guinea cup bird he may generally be trusted, as he may probably win back the amount in 
prizes. But even in this case, the proprietor should endeavour as soon as possible really to master 
the business for himself. There is twice the interest in a thing you understand, and every one 
naturally likes to have a voice in his own concerns. Moreover, few men excel in all departments ; 
and we have known a case where both employer and man were skilled breeders — more than usually 
so, in fact — but where the employer left it entirely to his man to mate up the birds for breeding 
cockerels, while, by common consent, the master superintended the arrangements for producing 
pullets. Each knew and respected the other’s superior judgment in that particular point. 
Something in these things depends on natural “ gift,” but, as a general rule, by seeking knowledge 
and experience first , success will assuredly follow, as in other things, and even the beginner may in 
a reasonable time obtain that silver cup or coveted “First Prize” which is the legitimate ambition 
of every amateur. 
