Milford chronicle., 1915-05-21

farmer is by lar better ptepateu "
raise poultry for commercial purposes
than the average breeder; ana TINS
makes the farm the best place IN which
TO indulge in this profitable culture
While this is true, yet the average
farmer either entirely neglects TINS
means Of earning money, or else maui
yes only to such an extent that the
chickens are an iucumbrance rather
than a source OF profit just mere IL
where the average farmer is not only
greatly mistaken in the ability OF the
hens 10 produce a profit, but on the
other hand is letting slip thru his
fingers an industry from which can De
realized more money than from any
other branch of the farm product5.
Notwithstanding the many pleadings
which have been made to the tllier OF
the soil in the interest of the teathered
beapties. and how his income may be
greatly increased, the average farmer
will satisfy himself, and incidentally
iustifv his action (or rather inactlon)
with the usual question: "ls 1t prohtaOle
for me to raise purebred poultry with a
fair margin of profit. considering the
amount Of capital ] must invest?'
The farmer will invariably answer ms
own question with the usual no, ana
absolutely refuse to accept the undls-
pnted answer of "yes." / can answer
ives" to this question, and can prove
the assertion.
Bv the purchase of purebred fowls l
do not wish to convey the idea that the
raising of fancy fowls for show purposes
should be INDUCED in. BY no means
for this branch Of the industry is ably
taken care Of by breeders with means
and time at their disposal, and while
many of them have realized much
money from this branch OF the culture,
the average man attempting to raise
fancy birds fails.
Ii is verv important, however, for the
man who devotes his attentions to pOul-
try raising, either wholly or in part to
have nothing but purebred fowls, and
bv these l mean what Is generally
termed utility stock.
The average farmer is far better pre-
pared to take advantage Of the vast
opportunities offered in the poultry
industry at the present time than any
other person, and owing to this his
returns will be great.
The essentials Of the poultry business
arc: thoro knowledge OF the under
living principles of breeding, construction
Of buildings and proper equipage, and a
practical knowledge OF how to iced prop
erlv The farmer who is making any
show of success must, OF necessity, nave
some knowledge Of and exp 7nence IN
breeding principles which VIII serve
him of good use in the raising OF poul-
trv. Then too, he is in a position 10
secure or erect buildings for his poultry
at much lower cost than the greal
majority of persons who would ne
likely TO enter the business, because
already has his living from his othel
farm products. Then too, he has the
advantage of the salaried man who II
inst making a start in the city or sub
urbs. or even on a larger place IN th'
country. by being constantly on thu
scene OF action when duty calls whill
the saaried man must depend largely
upon someone else.
The farmer has another advantage
over the average man entering tn
business-he can produce the supply o
feed for the fowls at a much lower COS
than the other man. can buy il OF a iee'
dealer; TO say nothing of his advantag
over the many who enter the bushes
on farm without a knowledge OF farm
ing. The farmer has some kuowledg
also of relative food values, by reason o
his feeding Of other stock.
There is possibly not one farmer In
thousand who does not raise chickens q
some kind, but these are mostly OF lh
mOngrel kind, and he does not seem {
realize that the general care of purebre
fowls is but little different from that q
mongrels, and that the income from th
former is far greater than from the latter
The general excuse of farmers for tn
presence of mongrel chickens, or rathe
for the absence of purebred fowls,
that he has not the time to devote
their raising; and yet from a carefU
study OF the industry, there is nOthin
on the farm that will yield such larg
return as the chickens, in proportion
the amount invested or for the amonu
OF work required in their care.
The care Of poultry does not necessai
lily require a large part Of the farmer
time. by giving the subject Of poultr
raising a little study evenings, twent
minutes OF his self stated valuable time
three times a day will turn the tric
and accomplish wonders in the poultr
raising game,
Ifa little tact is used in placing tn
buildings, and they are located in clos
proximity to the dwelling, the less in
portant work about the poultry plaI
can be done by the women folks, or eve
by the children for that matter, if the
are shown the proper methods. Th
leaves only the hard or laborious woI
TO he actually done by the farmer hin
self, such as keeping the houses cleai
sweet, and sanitary. No farmer is
busy that he cannot find time to give
his poultry if he so desires, but Il
great trouble is that he is content to J
many shining dollars slip thru b
fingers, rather than to haul himself ol
Of the rut Of years into which be hI
fallen.
OF course, it is not expected that Il
farmer sell off Immediately all OF b
mnngrel stock and invest large sums
money in the purchase Of purebre
utility fowls. This would be somewhI
expensive, aud simply out Of the que
ton for the average farmer, but what
advise every tiller Of the soil to do is
purchase at once pen OF good blrC
and keep them separate from b
.,,oro~oI ctock Thou hy Matching all