The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-03
Better Breeding Methods and
Intelligent Care Show
Good Results.
THREE INFLUENCES FELT
Experiment Stations, Poultry
Clubs for Boys, and
Laying Contests.
ny Prof. =. II. sTONERURN.

20 install modern machinery ana CapaDlS
workmen fails to survive for any consld-
cradle time under modern Industrial con-
ditions. But great proportion Of Ameri-
can poultry keepers seem to overlook the
fact that they too are affected by the
general laws Of business and that their
greatest success can come only from OBJ
serving 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
misht be secured.
A slnsie egg In a thing OF little value.
10 II . grain Of corn. But many eggs or
many grains Of corn, when bulked, repre-
sent much money. II by adopting better
methods our producers secured one moro
egg from every hen each year or added to
the kernels on each ear OF corn, the addi-
tooAl wealth created In America would
amount TO a vast sum.
Consider some figures. According to
Prof Adams Of Rhode Island. who has
made q thorough study OF the corn crop.
the adding OF q single kernel to each ear
o( corn produced In America In 1910 would
have increased the value Of the crop by
nearly 100000.
Should each Of the $50. 900. 900 American
hens lay one egg more during the year
these eggs. II valued ut only is cents q
dozen. would be worth nearly $4,000. 900.
10 II not plain then THAI any movement
which promises to increase the popular
interest In improved stock and methods IA
worthy Of public support? Opinions may
differ as to the expediency OF the method
suggested. but criticism should be con-
0tructive, not mere Knocking" which
accomplishes nothing.
The poultry fancy. the sport and bust
ness Of breeding exhibition poultry 10 firmly
established. Hundreds Of poultry exhibl-
0ons are held each year in all parts OF
the country. The ambitious breeder OF
ehA,x. lA,r %.
the quality OF his stock by entering it In
these public competitions and having II
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.
plished an untold amount OF good. have
done vast amount OF truly constructive
work. Ii 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 produce
ton 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. Fortu-
nately conditions seem to be changing,
and the strictly business side of the In.
dustry Is now receiving and will be &C.
Sotuco ucdTteT HuppOrt IN inc Iuture.
At the present time three great in
huences are at work along this line
These include the poultry departments
OF our agricultural colleges and expert.
mcnt stations. the poultry clubs for boys
and girls. conducted under the super
vision Of the national department Of agri.
culture. and the laying competitions.
In the main| the work Of our agricui-
tural institutions is. and has been. con-
strucuvc. As class the college In
structors are capable and active. They
devote much OF their energy to tho 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 sp!en-
az work.
Through the work OF the various ex-
pertinent stations many knotty problems
ara being solved. These include such
essentially practical subjects as housing,
feeding, rearing &c. Also the more sci
entihc Investigations having TO do with
ertihcial incubation, poultry breeding and
diseases. The results OF these expert
ments are given to the public through
spondence and bulletins. The latter may
usually be secured free By merely writing
for them.
Experimental work Of this character IL
expensive. II must be done by trained
men who have available for their Use the
necessary equipment and ample funds.
Naturally we have to look to public in
stitutiOns to carry It on. In sense the
Aeld has been merely scratched over thus
Tar, but some remarkable results have
been secured and greater things will be
accomplished In the future as the various
institutions increase their facilities and
extend their work
The poultry clubs for boys and girls Is
the natural outgrowth of the corn clubs
which have proved so successful and are
exerting such an influence on corn growers
In those sections where the clubs have
beeS established.
These clubs are managed by officials Of
the national Department Of Agriculture in
cooperation with teachers in public
schools. They are competitive IN charac-
Ter. thus Introducing factor which ap-
peals to red bloOded Amer cans of all ages
who delight to excel In their special fields.
The winners gain considerable reputation
as well as prizes OF more tangible
nature.
The idea behind these clubs is to inter-
est the boys IN the work and to teach
them the best possible methods. Each
boy prepares his own tract Of land. selects
his seed and cares for his crop from
planting TO harvest. working always under
the direction Of the qualified official In his
district. Emphasis Is laid upon tllagc
and fertilization, but special stress is
placed upon seed selection, a fundamental
which Is so often overlooked. Suitable
varieties are chosen, superior ears selected
and sample kernels tested for vitality. 20
the end that the stand shall be perfect
and the yield heavy.
Most OF these corn club boys have &C.
tually secured bitter results than their
experienced fathers. IL II not fair to con-
clude that the latter will take advantage
OF the object lesson and improve their own
methods Certainly such has been the
usual experience.
The same general plan IL now being fol
lowed with poultry Again the emphasis
II placed upon breeds and breeding. upon
the selection OF pure bred stock ard n
knowledge OF the performance OF the ndi-
vidual Trap nesting il advised and the
establishment Of strains OF fowls capable
OF heavy egg production.
That nocks so bred will yield b. tier re-
turns than the average bunch Of monde
scripts usually found on the farm or In
the back yard Is certain. And IL is equally
sure that our boys and girls will In this
way gradually improve tho average quail.
ity OF the utility fowls Of the country
At the present time the laying competi-
ton idea bulks larger In the public eye
Than any other single factor, Jus. how
much ,hes, ,yep,o will tnfuppca tho utiIt,v