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Wisconsin state agricultural society . 
POULTRY DEPARTMENT. 
BY J. S. M’GOWEN, ASS’T SUPERINTENDENT. 
The interest manifested in this department the last year was 
commendable. The growth of poultry in the state is rapidly in¬ 
creasing, the number of exhibitors at our annual fair greater, and 
the birds shown are of improved varieties. 
The conveniences for making a good display were not suitable. 
The space alloted was poorly lighted, hence the exhibits could 
not be shown to as good advantage. A new and well arranged 
building should be erected by the society for the exhibitions in 
this department. 
A word as to poultry. To thrive well they should have access 
to water, gravel, vegetation, etc. If kept in considerable num¬ 
bers an acre of land could be devoted to them with more profit 
than if planted to almost any crop. The care of them requires 
but little labor—can be mostly done by children, who take great 
pleasure in it. 
Mr. Allen says “ that the care of poultry exerts a social and 
moral influence which cannot be estimated bv dollars and cents; 
that they withdraw the thoughts of children from idle games and 
worthless habits; that while grains and fruits and flowers are 
beautiful and attractive, yet they fail to enlist that sympathy and 
feeling which attractive animal life affords. “ That compara¬ 
tively few can indulge in the luxury of improved flocks and ex¬ 
tensive herds, but that all can gratify their tastes by keeping a 
few choice fowls.” In this idea I fully concur, and am glad to 
witness the interest manifested in the rearing of poultry in the 
state, and I doubt not the exhibitions made at the State Fair will 
continue to prove more attractive, pleasing and profitable. 
