The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-09-14
FEW HINTS TO BEGINNERS.
Start Right-eet ThOrOughbreds.

This time of the year may be term
ed as the dull season for the breeder
and fancier but not so dull that ne
can find nothing to do about his plant
be it large or small. Enthusiasm Is
naturally, during the summer months
not SO high as during the show and
breeding season. Nevertheless, we
poulterers have, at no time OF the
year, occasion to complain about hay
ing nothing to do.
The breeding season being over, we
now have our growing stock TO look
after, and we are anxious to make OF
them well-developed and strong birds
at the earliest possible period.
With all the poultry literature we
have in these days, and the well-edited
and instructive poultry papers, 1t
seems that it should not be difficult for
any one to enter the ranks of poultry
breeders or fanciers and be success
full. However, sad as it may be to
say, a great many leave the field, after
a short experience In utter disguest-
Why? Not for just reasons, but De-
cause something went wrong-things
did not pan out the first year just ex-
actly as they had figured out with pa
per and pencil before they entered.
Let us hope that these sad disappoint-
ments may be fewer in the future, and
that those who have dropped out may
try again.
A few words to the beginner, at this
time, may not be out of place. We
wish to encourage all those who are
thinking about entering our ranks to
come in, as there is room for all OF
them. The supply of poultry and eggs
is falling very short OF the demand,
and It will remain so for some time to
come.
When took the hen fever" some
years ago, had heard very little, or
nothing, about thoroughbreds. To me
a chicken was simply a-chicken. l
set out to buying, and my object was
to get as many different colors rep
resented in my flock as l possibly
could. / succeeded in securing my
rainbow" flock, and l thought they
were the real thing" But one day a
friend handed me poultry journal,
and after reading several of the ar
: ticles therein, and finding that there
was such thing as a thoroughbred
fowl. / became at once discouraged
with my many-colored flock, and dis
posed of them as quickly as l got
them, and selected my favorite breed
= and purchased nice pen OF birds
the same week.
, Now. my friends, don't make the
, mistake / made. Don't get half doz'
) en- varieties in one flock. Start In
: with thoroughbreds. If you haven't
: much to invest, get smaller number
r of birds. Surely there are enough
: standard breeds today to suit every
1 ones JaSJ6. AlIcL OASO SOu A"'O -
4 cided on the breed, it will not be
r dificuit matter to find breeder who
has them.
:. Some prefer starting by purchasing
eggs. This may be cheaper way
0 but it will take another season before
4 you can do any breeding. The shorter
|. route to establish yourself is to buy
8 the stock--a pair, trio or pen, or more
T. if you can afford it. will not mere
l. undertake to boost any particular
= breed, as the many advertisements II
il our poultry journals will give you al
d the enlightenment in this respect tina
r. you want.
O | hope that my experience VIII pen
e eft some, at least; and whether yo'
II start out on any of the lines suggested
t. above or not, my sincere wish is tina
n success may crown your CHORUS
It Charles Wolf in The American Poul
tryman.