St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-04-18
THE FANCiERS.
IN Industry That In GREATER Than That
Of Wheat.

In Industry That Ii 0Feoeee T0on InoS
Of Wheat.
But few people aside from those en-
gagged in the industry CON estimate any
thing like approximately the immense
number Of fowls and eggs produced in
the United States. When told that the
value of poultry and eggs of the United
States produced each year Is greater
than that of the wheat crop most peo-
ple would receive the statement with
degree of doubt bordering ON disbelief.
Yet such II the fact.
The poultry fanciers Of the United
States have done great work in inn
proving the breeds Of fowls and bring
ing out new breeds that surpass the old
varieties in both delicacy Of flesh and
increased egg production. Great poul-
try shows have been held in different
rarts of the United States and pre-
miums given as an incentive to fanciers
TO show fine birds, and in this way ef-
forts have been put forth that have
done great benefit. Yet, n0twithstand-
ing the fact of the wonderful proper
tions Of the poultry industry. eggs suf-
f;cient to meet the requirements Of con-
sumers are not produced. About TO-
COG, 900 eggs are imported from Canada
alone each succeeding year. From 1850
10 1890, when the most recent figures
were gathered. there was IN increase in
the number Of barryard fowls of 1s3
l,er cent. and in turkeys, geese and
ducks of Is per cent. During the same
period egg production increased - per
cent.
In 1890 there were 25S. 2.155 barn
yard fowls in the United States, and of
turkeys, ducks and geese q. SIG. 700, or
total of 2S5. .eSS, 700 fowls. In these fig
ures given fowls consumed during the
year are not included. These would
amount to fully one-third more, max
ing the sum total $50, 1884, 1888, which at
the low estimate of 35 cents each would
amount to $133, ,134. 1855.
The diligent hens in 1880 laid Sl7,-
ci1 ,146 dozen eggs. In the eastern mar
kets the average price was IS cents;
at Atlanta, Ca, - cents, and at Cincin-
matt. u cents. but to make an intelli-
gent average price per dozen il would
be about II cents. Now. ST. 7,2ll i 46 doz-
sn Of eggs at II cents per dozen would
Le $l3s. .925, ,S34.s2. Adding to this the
value of the poultry, $ls3. .l3i. 1855. the
sum total of fowls and eggs was $272,-
O6O. O.621.37
But this Is not all. Thousands Of fine
bred fowls were sold at from s. to SIS g
H,rs~~ L., ~ -
yard fowls from 1899 to 1898 were equal
to that between 1880 and 1890 (l53 per
cent? the number of fowls and the
number of dozens of eggs produced in
1895 was simply amazing. The increase
in eggs, ms will be seen between 1880
snd 1899. was 7s per cent. and it il fair
to say that with the rapid increase in
population between the years named
the proportionatc increase between
1890 and 1895 was fully maintained.
The Caited States department Of agri-
culture has given the crop of wheat Of
1895 1t 4e5, ,0OO, 900 bushels. Calculating
the average price Of wheat (the differ.
ent grades and prices paid to farmers)
ct about 50 cents, the value Of the whea:
crop to farms in 1905 Was $2l2, ,5OO, 900.
Deduct this from the value Of poultry
and $272. .060. .621.37-the balances
in favor Of the latter a. against the
wheat crop II $s9. $50. .62l.57.
From these figures il will be readily
seen why there II 20 much interest
taken in poultry and why there are %
many faneiers' associations. = Toledo
Blade.
kaalDy ExDlnlos1.
F0frester-You live in = quiet part q
the city, do you not?