The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30

fowls is the first consideration for a broiler trade. The pick of the flock, both male and female, should be kept on the farm for breeding purposes. For grad ing up the farm hen, the introduction of new blood every two or three years is necessary. In a generation or two this practice will result in race of brolers which will grow larger and more rapid ly. As they eat little more than puny chickens, the gain will be on the farmer s side of the ledger.
 As now generally practiced, the farmer succeeds in cheating himself. Under 0 better system culls of little or no value for maintaining the vigor of the flock ! may be turned to profitable account. They should be fattened for a broiler trade. This can be done without much additional labor or expense. Broilers are usually sold live weight. The farmer need spend no time in killing and dressing, which is an important factor.
 The prevailing high price of all kinds of meat has affected the price of poultry. If the farmer Is so situated that he can build up private broiler trade, selling live or dressed broilers. he has a chance to make still greater profits Private trade prices are frequently cents a pound higher than the best retail trade prices. The profits in systematic broiler raising are sufficient to attract attention at this time.
 The maintenance of vigorous flock by frequent change of blood also af- fleets the number and size of the eggs. Many tests have been made. to show the advantage of high-grade hens in egg production over hens of low vitality. The average egg production of my own flock Is more than double that of the average farm flock. Suppose a farmer makes a little profit of the eggs his hens now lay every year. If he can double his ar m nrry fvny-t %h Der of fowls. his profits will increase greatly. If he keeps 50 or more fowls of high grade, the net increased profit would amount to nice sum at the end of each year. There Is no difficulty in doing this If the farmer will pick out hls best birds for mating and will intro- duce new blood occasionally
 But the farmer who will really take pride in his hens should consider the advantages of better grade of fowls as 1t affects the meat supply of the coun- try. The average scrub farm fowl is poor table bird. It Is true that many farmers only raise hens for their own use. But even in that case a high-grade hen will furnish nearly double s~c neat of the ordinary farm hen. So this will be an advantage to the farmer
 For utility purposes there are several good breeds, such as Plymouth Rocks. Orplngtons, Rhode Island Reds and Wy andottes. When dessed for marketing, the White Rocks take no second place in appearance with any of the above breeds, They are deep in the breast. Welding large quantity of fine white meat. we'll kept White Rock hen has nice yellow skin which gives the dressed fowl a nice appearance, attracts the eye of the buyer, and when cooked delights the palate of the consumer
 When 1t comes to the quantity of meat the advantage is plainly with the high grade hen. The difference is frequently from two to four pounds. Here is an opportunity for the farmer to perform a duty for his country and reap financial rewards for doing so. If he is going to keep fairly heavy birds, let him raise heavier ones and contribute to the meat supply.
 It is to be regretted that farmers have not paid more heed to the poultry side of farming. By selling chickens for broil- es without regard to the good of the flock by keeping small or scrub breeds of fowls, and by a lack of attention to the maintenance of the vitality of their hens. many farmers are today cheating themselves out of legitimate profits Surely these plain facts and figures are worth considering.
 A great deal or poultry has been slaughtered in this country during the past year as the result of the greatly in