The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-03
By PROF. F. H. sroNnBuRN


 The manufacturing plant which neg lects to install modern machinery and capable worlSmen fails to survive for any considerable time under modern indus trial conditions. But a great proportion of American poultdy keepers seem to overlook the fact that they. too, are af- fected by the general laws of business and that their greatest success can come only from observing these laws. They seem content in too many cases, to use inferior birds and to give them careless attention, with the result that returns are far below what might be secured.
 single egg Is a thing of little value. So is grain of corn. But many eggs or many grains of corn, when bulxed, rep resent much money. If, by odapting bet ter methods, our producers secured one more egg from every hen each year or added to the kernel on each ear of corn. the additional wealth created in America would amount to a vast sum.
 Consider some figures According to Professor Adams of Rhode Island, who has made a thorough study of the corn crop, the adding of single kernel to each ear of corn produced in America in 1910 would have increased the value of the crop by nearly $2.0 ,O00.
 Should each of the 25OoOo,ooo American hens lay one egg more during the year, these eggs-if valued at only IS cents per dozen-would be worth nearly s4,0O0Oo0.
 Is it not plain, then, that any move ment which promises to increase the pop ular interest in improved stock and methods is worthy of public support?. Opinions may differe as to the expediency of the method suggested, but criticism should be constructive, not mere knock ing" which accomplishes nothing.
 The poultry fancy, the sport and bus mess of breeding exhibition poultry is firmly established. Hundreds of poultry exhibits arc held each year in all parts of the country. The ambitious breeder of show specimens can there demonstrate the quality of his stock by entering it in these public competitions and having 1t Judged in comparison with that shown by his competitors. Further, this branch of the industry has the hearty support of long list of poultry journals.
 That the poultry fanciers have accom- plished an untold amount of good, have done a vast amount of truly constructive work, is universally acknowledged. They deserve all the cooperation and support they are receiving. But, after all the great majority of our poultry keepers are primarily interested in the produc- tion of table eggs and meat rather than in the exact shape or color of the fowls themselves. This great class has not, until comparatively recently, been given much help or encouragement Forum ately, conditions seem to be changing, and the strictly business side of the in- dustry is now receiving and will be &C., corded heartier support in the future.
 At the present time three great influ- ences are at work along this line. These include the poultry departments of our agricultural colleges and experiment sta tions; the poultry clubs for boys and girls. conducted under the supervision of the national department of agriculture, and the laying competitions.
 In the main the work of our agricul- tural institutions is, and has been, con structiye. AS class the college in- structors are capable and active. They devote much of their energy to the utility side of the business. giving sound in- struction to the regular and special stu dents who enroll for poultry courses and extending their field of usefulness through the agency of the farmers in- stitutes and personal correspondence.
 In many cases these men are seriously hampered because Of insufficient equip ment and the lack of competent assist ants. Nevertheless. they are doing splen- did work.
 Experiment Station Work
 Through the work of the various ex- pertinent stations many knotty problems are being solved. These include such es- sentially practical subjects as housing, feeding. rearing. etc. Also. the more cefa fio ip.-a