The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-18
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desire that the public share with them the
qualification of seeing how much care and
skill have done for the permanent improve
ment of the feathered tribes All this and
more, is warranted by its magnitude and i'm
portance; whether based upon the capital in
vested, tie labor employed, the value OF the
product, and the science and taste and phil
anthrophy also, engaged in its development.
Presuming that our readers are quite as ia
miliar as ourselves with the interesting sta
tistics of this great department, we only re-
mind them of the single item; that the value
of the eggs Of the domestic fowls Of this eoun-
try for single year, is estimated to be be-
tween thirty and forty millions. Could the
correct market value of the other poultry
products be added to this estimate, the COM
bination would dwarf into inferiority, other
branches of trade that demand and receive
large consideration.
We do not propose to enter at length upon
the intrinsic value of poultry itself. but we
cannot refrain from saying, that no where
under the sun can any articles of food be
found as successful rivals either TO the eggs or
flesh suited to the child, the invalid, the la
borer, and the epicure; ready for use in mid
winter or midsummer, either can be OBJ
tanned and prepared for the table almost at
moments warning. So far as the gallina-
ceous varieties are concerned, whether subsist-
ing upon the waste of the huInblest house.
hold, or indulging in the freedom of grana-
ry, they have always maintained wonderful
uniformity of excellence, in spite OF great
diversity of race, and color, and condition.
For a subject worthy the attention of So
cia scientists, we suggeststhe inquiry wheth-
er through this comparatively unappreciated
and undeveloped agency, something more
cannot be done for the fertilization of the
soil, the utilization of waste material, the
supply of cheap and wholesome food, ard fur
Wishing profitable employment for women and
children.
We have only words of commentator to
bestow upon the intelligence and discretion
manifested by the managers of the Maine
Poultry Association, in their general and spe-
cifc plans and declarations. They will par
don us for remarking, that by offering pre-
ulUHS uuueT Tue StNeIdl uedio iOi HuttVO
breeds also, they will appear to recognize all
excellence even existing under unfavorable
conditions, and will also dissipate any vain
imaginations that theirs is a close cooperation
for the benefit of breeders of thorough-breds.
Were we to venture still further on this
line, it would be to propose that hereafter
they invite exhibitions of other varieties Of
birds, especially all enemies of the poultry
races, and if room can be afforded, why not
include household pets, not as necessary adj
juncts, but as additional attractions.
As farmers themselves are the greatest
doabters as to the profit of poultry raising,
and as the object of the Association is ''the
gathering of reliable and practical informa-
ton and experience" we trust that their
transactions will contain definite statements
of returns from the different breeds, showing
comparative profits, recommendations OF the
best varieties, directions as to the size OF
focks, manner of keeping, kind of houses ETC.,
and perhaps some advice on the system OF
caponizing. Should the Association at or be-
fore the annual meeting, think it best to pc
tition the legislature to establish the sale OF
eggs by weight, we are sure it would receive
respectful consideration and perhaps afirma-
tive action.