The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-05-25
TIE POETRY OF POULTRY.
Chicken Raising as Viewed from Il
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Chicken Raising as Viewed from the
Standpoint of the CoBn0isseur.
There is about seeing pure biooded equine
stock a certain charm which no horseman
can accurately describe and yet which ev-
cry horseman feels. In a similar way ev-
cry true lover of we'll bred chickens will 90
miles to see high grade Brahma or a
Plymouth Rock Of undisputed lineage.
Indeed, among those who truly love fowls
of high pedigree, there is mutual sympa-
thy almost Ms strong as the mysterious
bonds of Freemasonry, and 1t Is wonderful
TO see In how short a time two utter stran-
gers will affiliate in the discussion Of the
relative merits Of a Leghorn or a Cochin
China :
To the delights of thoughtful and SYM
pathetic poultry fanciers the average lay.
man is a total stranger 10 him. indeed.
the work of caring for chickens is but
mental and lowly task, consisting OF rising
at dusky dawn in response to the summons
of the strident Shanghai, and shivering in
the cold morning air while breaking the
ice on the chickens watering trough.
That the work of raising chickens is a fit
undertaking for the intelligent and studi-
Gus, or that such task requires talents be-
yond the ordinary run of mankind. Is
lily of the ignorant, but the true poultry
fancier will accept it without question.
It Is astonishing how the charm Of
chicken raising grows on one and how ID
affects ones powers OF observation and
memory. 1t is true that there are, Incl
dent to such life, what the world might
call annoyances and discomforts, but to
the true artist in the science Of fowl nurs
ture they are but disagreeable incidents,
the bitter which comes with the sweet,
There are rats and weasels which must be
kept from perches and nests; but who can
describe the manly sense OF protectorship
| and responsibility created by such effortst
There are chicken houses to be kept neat
and clean. shells to be baked or broken,
feeds to be mixed; but from the sense Of
knowledge which comes with acquired
skill in all those branches, what Innocent
| and agreeable pride and self respect do not
springs What traits of patience and di-
plomacy are exhibited in the skillful treat
ment Of the obdurate and aggressive hen
that is determined to sit even when she
ought to be layingi
What genteness and forethougft must
be exhibited in the proper care OF the
downy brood fresh from the well kept nest
or the more roomy incubator Poultry
keeping stupid or uninterestingi Nay, Il
is rather the life of poet and philoso-
pher combined. and the man who has stood
the test successfully should be entitled to
the 'summa cum laude'' OF natures best
school,
Even the grosser delights of the chicken
fancier are Iii a measure ideal lie It Is Is
who knows the unalloyed delight of enjoy
ing fresh laid eggs. when he does not sell
them all To him, ALSO falls the most ten.
der and the juiciest OF spring chickens.
Drowned to a delicious crisp and floating
in wealth of the softest, creamiest gravy.
When all goes well he sees his capital and
stock in trade increase at rate which
would make our shrewdest bankers green
with envy
In his little kingdom of fowls he rules
supreme, and even the gorgeous and mag
nificent chanticleer consents to follow
meekly in the owners wake at meal times.
The younger chickens will perform the
most ludicrous antics for his amusement.
while in the whitewashed hen yard he sees
every day some story of comedy or trag-
edy, Of friendship or distrust hate or love:
under his eyes constantly u mimic theater
OF plot and counterpart, until be, as the
overruling fate, steps in to end it all upon
the executioner's block.
And to think that all this pleasure may
be had at the expense of building chicken
yard and purchasing some feed and few
fowlsl The wonder is that all the world
does not go to chicken raising Boston
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