Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-12-24
CBy R. VAN BENTHUYsEN1

CBy r. VAN BENTHUYSEN)
Ten years ago any farmer who had
a flock of fancy chickens was looked
upon with pity bv his neighbors. 1t
was considered that any man who
would spend more than dollar for
setting of eggs was throwing his
money away! And as for the pur-
chase of a pen at the enormous price
of $25 for the five birds-why, the av-
erage farmer would have had to be
examined as to his sanity if it were
found that he had made such an in
vestment
However, il you will take the
trouble to look around you now, you
will find that there is a different atti-
tude taken on this subject. In the
last few years the poultry industry
has shown an improvement that is
hard to beat. Several of the states
now have department of poultry
husbandry. and quite number of col
leges are conducting their own poul-
try experiment stations. Indeed,
some of the correspondence schools
have gotten up courses on poultry
farming that are maTyels of complete
ness.
Most of us are familiar with the
various poultry shows that are con-
Quoted in thousands of towns through
out the country. The larger shows
are held in the biggest cities of the
country. New York, Chicago Pitts
burgh, etc, in fact all the large cities
have their poultry shows each year,
and these shows are planned ON as
elaborate a scale as any other form
of entertainment The smaller cities
often have a regular show each year,
but if this is not done. the poultry eX-
hibit of the annual fair is sure to be
one of the most important features.
1t is apparent that the country is
waking up to the fact that this indus
try is one of the most important, and
chat Mrs. Biddy is, for her size, about
the best paying proposition of the
farm, if the proper care is given to
her. Probably one of the most i'm
portant things that has helped the in
dustry along so rapidly within the
last few years is the information and
help contained in the bulletins that
have been Issued by the various ex-
detrimental stations. BY reading
these and applying the methods
shown in them. the farmer has been
convinced that "a little less cussing
and a little more caring" viii make
the chickens paying item.
The wide-awake farmer of these
days doesn't need much argument to
convince him that pure-bred stock OF
all kinds averages the best, whether
it is horses, cows. poultry or any
thing else. But it is only within the
last few years that many were will
ing to admitTit as far as the poultry
went, and then they were shy about
putting any money into it, There are
several ways that this may be done,
soL good and some bad, and there
are several points to be considered in
making an investment of this nature
These points. however, should be be-
fore every man, whether it is poultry
or any other stock that he wishes to
improve.
First, the breed. This depends on
a mans individual liking so much that
it is useless to enter into any discus
sion here as to the breeds that may
be chosen. There are three classes
the meat breeds. the egg breeds and
the general purpose breeds. Under
each of these chtsses there are sew
eral varieties, and they each have
their boosters. From experience with
several of them, I will say that any
breed that you may start with will
give you satisfactory results, if they
are given the proper housing and
feeding.
Second, the investment. There are
three good ways that start may be
made-by buying eggs, baby chicks or
a pen of mature birds. The latter is.
of course, the most satisfactory, as
the breeders will give you a sufficient
of eggs to allow the Matching
of more good stock than could other
wise be secured. The industry of sell.
ing baby chicks has increased won
derfully within the past three years.
and is generally considered a very
method of starting a
flock. BY this system you can count
your chickens before they are
hatched," and avoid the necessary
bother of an incubator or several
broody hens.
Third, the dealer. A person buying
stock of any kind should always make
sure of the reliability of
the nan with whom he intends to
deal. My experiences have been en-
tirely satisfactory in this respect, and
in only one case have ever been dis
appointed. This was shipment OF
baby chicks sent to me from a point
about 1900 miles away While they
were on the road the weather sud
denly changed and was so severe that
the chicks were all dead before reach /
ing me. refused the shipment and