The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-19
THE GREAT AMERICAN HEN; HER
ACHIEVEMENTS AND POSSIBILITIES
Poultry Keeping Is the Uni
versal Agricultural
Pursuit
sv PROF. FREDERIC II. sroNEBURN

BY PROF. FREDERIC II. STONEBUHN
Copyright, 1918, by Geo. A. McDevitt CO.
The poultry industry is one of Amer
Ica's greatest wealth producers. No ac-
curate estimate of the value of our poul-
try products can he given, but the best
authorities agree that 1t is close to a
billion dollars per year No other single
branch of agriculture apeals to so many
individuals. Its devotees are found in
country. city and village, ands include
boys and girls. men and women. rich and
poor alike. But there is room for more
AS nation we should consume greater
quantities of the palatable and nutricious
products OF the poultry yard. We need
more and better eggs and table poultry
and these should reach the consumer in
better condition. In order to bring this
about we must educate the producer.
Each week we will give space to inter-
esting and dependable articles on the
various phases of the poultry industry.
1t is only necessary to say that these
will be written by such leaders in the
poultry field as Professor Stoneburn, DIR.
Brigham, Professor Elford and DR.. Sun
born, and that the Illustrations viii be
made by S. f. Megargee and Theo van
Gink. These names alone are a suffi-
Gent guarantee of the quality of the
material.
Poultry keepers will do well to preserve
this entire series for future reference.
TT is undeniably true that poultry keep
ing has greater interest for more in
dividuals than any other single
branch of agriculture. This fascinating
pursuit appeals alike to both sexes. to
those seeking a healthful and interesting
hobby and to those interested in finan-
cial way, whether conducting their opera
lions on a large scale or merely in a
small way. 1t yearly adds millions to
our national wealth. 1t supports vast
number of other industries, which could
not otherwise exist; it brightens the
hours for children, as well as for busy
men and women; 1t furnishes the table
with the necessities of life. clothes the
family and provides the means of send
ing the children to school and college.
In cities, suburbs and country the busy
hen is doing her share, and it Is big
one, toward making life pleasanter and
easier
From remotest ages man has found
pleasure and profit in poultry husbandry.
Our early ancestors domesticated the
wild fowls of the jungle and made them
ministers to human needs. Succeeding
generations in untold numbers have vast
ly improved the original forms perfected
new breeds to meet special conditions,
Increased their productiveness, added to
their beauty, until today our domestic
fowls are recognized as one of the great
est examples of the skill of the breeder
In molding wild animal life to meet the
requirements of man.
The American farmer is justified in
pointing with pride to the truly astonish-
ing advance made along agricultural
lines during the last 20 years. Improved
machinery and more scientific methods
have made farm work easier and in
crea sed the financial returns therefrom
Modern conveniences have made the
farm home attractive and removed much
of its former drudgery. Farm values
have increased, and so added to the
wealth of the rural classes. Popular
opinion has changed also, and farming,
an occupation once almost despised is
now seen in its true light. Farmers sons
remain upon the land, and some of the
best of our city classes, from which the
ranks of the learned professions have
heretofore been recruited, are now turn
ing their sons countryward.
This change has come rapidly and it
is one of the most encouraging symp-
ton which possesses a large rural popu-
lation made up of contented, intelligent
Independent people Is sound at the core.
Now, we cannot all be farmers, but a
large proportion of our city and town
dwellers can enjoy some of the good
things of the country II they will take
advantage of the opportunities which
surround them. Idle back yards and
vacant lots may be made to support
flocks of poultry or produce crops of fine
vegetables or beautiful flowers. The work
of caring for these will prove at once in
teresting and healthful the various prod
ucts will add to the comfort and pleasure
OF the family. Let us again emphasize
the fact, which has so frequently been
mentioned. that one way of cutting down
the cost of living is to utilize the tre-
mendous area of land now lying idle In
cities and villages.
While agriculture, as a whole, has made
tremendous strides during the time stat
ed, no single branch has developed with
the rapidity of the poultry industry.
Poultry keeping has become tremendous
ly popular, and our fiocks of poultry
have increased in number and size. In
spite of this fact, however, the average
market value of poultry products has
steadily risen, keeping pace with or ex-
ceeding the increase in cost of feed,
which clearly indicates that the supply
has not yet equaled the normal demand
Tn fact, there is sufficient evidence to
warrant one in believing that the con-
sumption of high-grade eggs and table
poultry may be increased indefinitely and
that overproduction need not be feared.
Statistics are usually dry reading, but
they frequently drive home important
facts far better than mere general state
ments. Poultry enthusiasts find much
satisfaction in reading the statistics of
he ind trtya wi In N sll G
reports.
In 1910 the total value of the poultry
products of America amounted to ap-
proximately s12,0O0,OOO actually much less
than the value of the eggs alone pro-
Battles With Sharks