The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-06-09
Poultry North and South.

1 desire to call attention to the fact that In
the volumes OF the Census OF 1880, on agr1cul
ture, q comparative showing is made. by Su
perintendent Walker, CT the egg product o.
certain States. This statement shows the egg
production of States named to vary from three
dozen year to four. five, six and seven dozen
Maine, rs; Massachusetts, ~; New Hamp
shire, SO; Rhode Islard, GA; Vermont, o.!
With these States he compares New York, 30
Pennsylvania. 90; Ohio, 49,; Illinois, 3.6
nessee, 81: North Carolina. SO Alabama, 3D.;
South Carolina, 81 Louisiana. 80.
Mr.. Walker assumes, for comparison, tnat
these eggs were product Of barnyard fowls on
y. BY reference to the Census table 1t will be
seen that other States range between extremes
of statement; possibly some run less than
minimum Of statement, but none higher thar
Maine. He also says the reason is manifest
why the New England States exceed others
given in this record. Ee attributes 1t TO The
mixed farming and great number OF CONNER.
cial and manufacturing towns, aftording local
markets M and setting a - high price on on eggs
gland to be fed higher and more expressly In
order to increase the yield OF eggs TO a maxi
mum. He likewise infers that III the other
poultry is raised for meat principally. Doubt
less Mr.. Walker is CORE CT TO a certain extent
Undoubtedly a local demand for eggs at high
prices will develop more rapidly the poultry
Industry, and stimulate the culture OF fowls
for eggs. question, however, whether fowl
meet relatively is consumed less in New En-.
gland than In States where fewer eggs are pro-
duced. In fact, so to speak, New England Ia
the home of the improved Asiatics, Brahmas,
Chochins, l.angshans, etc. The merit Of this
class of fowls is meat.
Probably theseis one other minor reason
why New England 80 largely excels some OF
the States mentioned. This is the first Census
of the United States In which an accurate re-
turn Of poultry has been attempted. In those
States therefore where the poultry industry Ia
farthest advanced, ready local demand ut 1alr
prices, being probably the cause Of much ad.
vanced development, more accurate returns
were obtained. The great care and attention
given poultry enabled the breeders and far.
mers 10 readily and more correctly return the
product TO the Census agents.
1 think. however, the paramount reason for
the larger yield In New England especially.
and certain of the Middle and Western Sta ates,
as compared with Northern. is that tho stock
of these States has been brought to a maxi
ticnt and persistent efforts TO that end by the
poultry breeders OF those States. First the
flncler, keeping ever In his view practical
fowl, has raised the standard of fowls as lay
erS and meat producers Then gradually the
i'm proved stock has found its way over the
villages and farms. For bear In. mind these
figures do not represent the stock OF funciers,
but are the average yield of whole States.
AS for market, while the more thickly in.
habited districts can Away give better local
demand and prices, still there Is always suf.
States for all the poultry produced possible,
both meat and eggs. Let the people Of the
Southern States emulate the example of New
England In improving their fowls and lot
them do SO with New England energy indus
try and patient, persistent purpose and thrift,
and the profit In q few years to the individu.
al farmer and the Southern States will be no
less encouraging than gratifying.