The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-30
TOM BARRON TELLS AMERICAN POULTRYMEN
 HOW TO BREED AND SELECT 2OO-EGG HENS
Worlds Greatest Producer of Heavy-Laying Fowls Shows Poultry Growers How to Double Their Egg Yield

Tom Barrow of Catforth. near Pres- ton, England. enjoys an international Jeputation because of his skin in Ireeding fowls which produce truly as 4tonishing numbers of eggs. He won fiist place in the 1912-13 North Amer i.sL and Missouri laying competitions. with birds which broke all records At this time his entries lead in the North American. Missouri. Connecticut. Brit ish Columbia and South Australia com petitions, most consistent perform aalce
 On the occasion Of MT. Barrow's re- cent visit to America he was so pleased with the rapidly growing interest in Inc poultry Industry that he willingly consented to give the following valu- able advice to all rAisers of poultry. k q his exclusive interview was granted (to Prof. r. H. Stoneburn.
 1t has been my great privilege to travel among the poultrymen in many sections of America and investigate the business side of the poultry industry in this great country. The more learn about conditions here. the greater my amazement at the positively unlimited opportunities which are presented bs the industry to those who have the ability and energy to take full advan- sS ge Of the situation.
 And so I congratulate you for the very favorable conditions which main- tain here. Probably there is no part of me world in which one finds so many favoring factors You have tremen dous and rapidly growing population. Vast areas of available land at com paratively low prices. Poultry feeds are also offered at low rates. And finally, fae consumption of poultry products serms to be increasing and prices nov ing steadily upward. We make the pro- duction of market eggs profitable business in England, though quotations on feeds are higher than yours and tho price of eggs averages somewhat lower.
 Poultry Keeping Profitable
 From my knowledge of your condi- tions and a result of my many years of experience as practical poultry farmer operating under more unfavor- able circumstances, can conscientious ly state this opinion That any man or woman of average bodily strength and Azintel igence, who loves the country and Country life. may find in poultry keep \ ing In America an opportunity to live normal, healthful. independent lives, securing therefrom very satisfactory income. Of course, this statement Is based upon the assumption that the business will be studied constantly ard that the details will be given strict attention. The price of success in this line is the same in other businesses or professi ions--hard work.
 Referring again to this matter of in- come or financial profit, I know that in England good poultry farmer making a speciality of the production of market eggs can clear $1 per hen cach year. Some few are making as much as $150. This, you understand, is net return above all expenses of rent, hired labor, feed, etc. And an ener- gctic man can care for from 1000 to 3ctG layers. As previously explained, the margin of profit should be greater in America with corresponding in crease in income.
 Possibly this amount of income may not appear attractive to many city people. But remember this: city salaries and country incomes are not comparable with out taking into consideration certain modifying factors. On the farm one has without cost or at the lowest possible cost many things for which the city dweler expends considerable part of his wages or salary. A house to live in, vegetables in abundance. fruits of various kinds, poultry and dairy products. Further, one's clothing is simpler and less expen- sive, and there is not the steady outgo for the purchase of things with which a the city family is constantly tempted. So, dollar in the country is much more valuable than in the city.
 MT. BarrOns Experience
 I speak with considerable feeling when considering the possibilities of the poul- try industry. as I know what poultry keeping has done for me About IS years ago I gave up my trade, in which I was well established. burned my bridges be- hind me and started in a new line-pou- try keeping And now l have but one regret-that l did not make the change I hat fa at Catforth, near Preston, England, though much smaller than some of your great establishments, has yielded me much greater income-many times larger, in fact-than I could have obtained from my old occupation, even under the best pos sible conditions And so can in all sim Jcerity say to others that there are fnc II openings in this line, because my accom- plishment may be repeated by scores who will meet the conditions. The field is broad. the lists are open.
 It would be unfair to leave the impres sion that what success I have had has come easily. It is the result of hard, consistent, continuou work As you say, I have been compelled to stick to my Job
 Anyone who expects to find in the poul- try business lazy life and a quick, easy road to fortune, will be greatly disap- pointed. I wish to again emphasize the factth one must work if he is to forge ahead. But there is this to be said: The work is intensely interesting and is ya-. ried. differing in this respect from the monotonous drudgery so often found in office store and shop. Further, the oc- equation is healthful one. due to the constant exercise in the open air One can enjoy three good meals each day and sleep sound O nights.
 In my opinion, too, the producer of foodstuffs is benefit to his ecountrymen. The farmer is really the foundation of national wealth and prosperity. He cre- &tes, and is not parasite on society. So the poultry farmer may take an honest pride in his work, since he Is at once helping himself and benefiting his nation
 Right Start Essential 5I am particularly interested in those . who are just making a beginning in the ' Keeping of fowls. those who have every thing before them. Success or failure is largely determined by the manner in which ones start is made. Of course, mistakes may be corrected. but they are always expensive. and 1t Is best to avoid them. So possibly may be pardoned for venturing to drop few practical hints which are the result of nearly score of years of practical experience and ob- servation.
 Personally, am most interested in the commercial or utility side of the industry. believe that the principal duty of hen is to produce eggs for the table. The larger the number Of eegs a hen lays, the higher her value to me. And Ham forced