40 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 
so that the ratio of our demand was far in excess of the supply 
afforded by the State. 
If, however, we compare the production of eggs to that por- 
tion of the people engaged in agriculture, we find that there were 
produced in the United States sixty dozens of eges to every person 
engaged in agriculture, while in the State of New York there 
were eighty-five dozen produced annually to every person employed 
in agriculture, so that in proportion to our farming population the 
production of eggs in the State is far greater than is the average 
for the whole country. 
“ Itis not alittle strange that,” remarks one of our leading poultry 
papers “in the establishment of agricultural experiment stations, 
the poultry industry should have been so utterly ignored. Were 
it an unimportant branch of agriculture, were the value of poultry 
products comparatively small, it would have been different; but 
as every one knows, their value stands second to scarcely any 
product of the farm, and, therefore, its title to recognition by 
our State experimental institution is apparent. 
“The wonderful development of the poultry industry during the 
past decade is not greater than it will be during the next, and such 
experimentation as we suggest would be of vast benefit to the 
fancier and farmer.” 
In consideration of the importance of this subject, as also of the 
very general interest felt, as manifested by the excellent and 
extensive exhibits made throughout the State at many fairs and 
poultry shows, it has been thought well to begin a series of inves- 
tigations, so far as our limited means would permit, looking mainly 
if not exclusively to the solution of the many practical questions 
relating to this industry, since the breeders and fanciers may be - 
trusted to pursue with greater facilities questions which concern 
rather fancy points, of scientific interest and value beyond doubt, 
but not so fruitful in immediate practical results. 
It is somewhat remarkable that the extended literature of this 
branch of agriculture contains so little which is reliable, based 
upon carefully ascertained and recorded facts. 
There is a wide field for careful investigation in the matter of 
feeding, promising results of practical value quite in accord with 
those ascertained in the many experiments with other animals, and 
it will be seen by consulting the report of work already done in 
this direction by the first assistant that the results thus far 
