American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-07-06
Che farmers department.
Poultry,
BY c. N. BEMENT.

BY C. N. BEMENT.
How many monotonous existences
have been made cheerful by the poul-
try fancy How many acquaintance
commenced in fellow-feeling in this
pursuit have become cemented into
lasting friendships and how many
homes have been rendered more at
tractive by the addition Of poultry
yard, on account of the interesting
occupation which it creates, uncon-
nected with profit and produce.
+" When We had poultry-shows tc
go to, says an English writer, ''foi
a little quiet recreation, while emula-
ton and sympathy unite to render a
visit to neighbor's poultry yard
attractive, and while our own at home
furnishes daily and hourly objects of
interest, the amateurs life can never
be a dull one; a CLEAN. of sunshine, a
shower CT -ain, a warm wind or cold
one, assume an interest which they
did not possess before. There is al
ways something going on-a house
must be built, boundary line alter
ed, the yard enlarged, a defective
fence (which served for the Cochins
and Brahmas) must be raised to keep
in the Spanish, the Hamburgs, the
Games and the Polanders. Then, if
one home in every town be made
more pleasant to its owner; if one
family in each be made more united
in the love of our pursuit, if one dull
life in each be changed into cheer
full one the great poultry movement
may boast double triumph. ~
And there is another important
matter connected with this poultry
subject, not to be estimated in dol
lars and cents, but Of full more con-
sequence than either. 1t is the So
cial and moral influence they exert,
especially on the junior members of
the family-more particularly the
boys. The te nants Of the poultry
yard,wi their youngling broods, are
the things, of all others, which
first catch and rivet the attention and
determine their devotion to rural life.
By their withdrawing their thoughts
from triAing games, yiscious sports
and indulgences, or idle, worthless
habits, great point is gained towards
developing and muturing the future
useful members of society.
1t is known that farmers sons are
rising to manhood, and they are not
supposed to be made up of cold attri-
tions, but have social affinities requir-
ing mental aliment corresponding to
the development and nourishment of
these affinities. They should live
under a genial sun, be fed with re-
freshing showers, and then receive
the care of a most social culturist
The flower and vegetable garden are
useful fields, are all-attractive with
their varied products of beauty and
utility, yet they fail to enlist that
sympathy and feeling which attract
i've animal life affords. What better
occupation then, OF rather, what bet
ter amusement can the boys have than
to care for and feed, and watch over
the poultry-yard ? In this way they
may clothe themselves and pay for
their books without interfering with
the school exercises or any reasona-
BILE labor expected from them in any
other things. If thought desirable,
let this be one of their standing per-
quisites.
Happy for the poor, poultry is just
the stock which any Of them can buy,
feed and rear, however humble their
capacity may be. The young, the
feeble, the halt and the invalid can
look after the poultry, as well as the
strongest, 1t is true the poultry de-
partment comes more particularly to
the care of the "gudo" housewive /;
but the younger branches of the fam
lily should take it in hand, particular
ly the boys and the farmer should
furnish the means to obtain the best
sorts, convenient houses to keep them
in, not too rigidly guard the corn crib.
Afew additional ears of corn will pay
compound interest; and q leisure hour
in providing them comfort will be far
from misspent.
Comparatively few who have not
the advantage of an extended farm
can indulge in the luxury Of improved
focks and extensive herds, but al
most every one, not closely hemmed
in by the brick walls of city, can
crafty their own taste, and excite
that Of their children, by keeping a
few choice fowls. they are preferable
to the usual pets, dogs, cats and sing
ing birds less danger from disease
to them; much more variety, more
scope for ingenuity in rearing and
attending, and we Will not add on which
side the profit is likely to be. If for no
other reason than to interest the children
in a useful, attractive pursuit, we would
say to any person who has the room, by
all means keep some select poultry.
There will be no doubt about the pro-