The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-01-21
FARMER AND PLANTER.
PoULTRY.IN THE SOUTH.
An industry That Has Great Possi-
bilities II Intelligently and
IndustriOusly Pursued.

In speaking of the present status of
poultry in the south, so far as it re-
lates to quantity of the quality"
kind, needs but little space for dis
'cussion, but tn speak OF its future
probabilities and possibilities, judging
by what has been accomplished in the
north and west, would not only need
considerable time and space, but
might be continued indefinitely. How
ever, my object is 10 be brief, to treat
the subject only in a general way, en-
bracing no particular locality.
The present finds the poultry busi-
ness practically in it's infancy. But
comparatively little thoroughbred
stock, with an occasional big farm
where poultry is grown extensively
and here and there a breeder OF local
note, who has fairly well succeeded
in learning the business; while the
balance, which constitutes nearly all,
we find the mongrel cock of the
walk" 1t has only been in recent
years that we have begun to have
poultry shows, but they are held gen.
ally in the larger cities, remote from
the village and country folk, and while
they have done world of good to-
ward establishing thoroughbred stock,
and creating an interest, yet they
have MOI fully accomplished their mis-
sion. Tue. south is at present badly
| in need of a general shaking-up along
this line. the putting in of the mort
-e-paying stock and the radiance
| of the mongrel.
The present finds the markets near
| bare of chickens, and eggs are
high and scarce, bringing the price
of 20 to % cents per dozen, with near
ly a 20-cept average the year round
| April and May found chickens bring
| ing the price of 80 to 80 cents apiece
and weighing not more than a pound
average; thus it will be seen that we
ire almost competing with the Bos
ton market for high prices.
AS to the future. The high prices
obtained have done more and will d.
more toward an inducement to grow
better poultry and more Of it thai
most anything else. Thinking people
are looking more carefully into thu
subject, a wider interest is being man
ifested, the poultry show is becom
ing more in evidence, the true fan
ciers are increasing, and, with a com
bination of these influences, opens III
the future probabilities and possibili
ties of poultry in the south. Wha
are the opportunities? Lack OF thoI
oughbred stock; prevailing high price
and a growing sentiment, is the stin
illus. A climate without extremes,
longer season OF outdoor life and fol
age, without a need of closely-buil
houses, thus lessening cost of col
struction and cost in feed, present
the economical side. The opportunit
of growing early chickens for marke
is nowhere better found. Chicken
are readily Matched. and from stron
fertility, and easily grown from earl
February, the writer having chicken
Weighing three pounds each by tn
middle of April, with demand
excess of quantity thousand fold.
Now what we want mostly is
hearty cooperation from our norther
brothers. We need your exhibits
4 our southern shows; you've got tn
stock. and we want to see it. We al
willing you should win our prizes, an
while they may be small and not muc
of an inducement, yet you will g
your just returns in the sale of stoe
and eggs. The opportunity is tru
great. While no doubt many OF tt
northern breeders and fanciers are d.
ing nice business in the south, ye
must remember the business is pra
, tically in its infancy.-Cor. Farmer
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