The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1918-01-16
WHAT GOOD IS A POULTRY
SHOW, ANYWAY?

Often you hear some such cXprcs-
sion from casual visitor to poultry
show. Usually this qucstioncr rolls
rapidly through the show, has little
interest, and is looking for excitement
Tor his weary brain rather than for
genuine information or anything that
will improve or uplift him.
Poultry shows in the beginning
were often very small and held only
in few favored localities. Today they
are held by the thousands. Including
those held with agricultural fairs, the
number runs up to about two thou
and. so there is hardly a community
but that is favored with poultry
show, and many live poultry centers
boast several each year. In many of
the leading shows the number of fowls
exhibited runs into four figures. The
average small show usually has over
five hundred fowls on display. 1t has
has been said by those who ought to
lnow that in 1000 poultry shows held
annually in America, the grand total
Of fowls exhibited will lgo consider
able over the two million mark. The
money paid for entry fees, express
age, admission to shows, advertising,
feed, labor and other miscellaneous
expenses will run easily one dollar to
each fowl shown, possibly more. Thus
America is spending over two million
dollars each year, to say nothing of
the value of the fowls, for poultry
exhibitions.
Perhaps over two million people see
the poultry that is placed on exhibit
each year.
All this money is not spcnt-nor all
the labor of putting on" show per-
formed for the mere pleasure of see
ing a few fine fowls strut in their
coops or for the JOY Of winning a few
ribbons. There is substantial reason
why these shows grow in numbers
from year to year and the numbers Of
fowls shown are constantly on the in
crease.
The leading idea in a poultry show
is to arouse more interest in poultry
raising, especially poultry of the bet
ter kind. The sight of nicely finished
fowls in large numbers is sure to
arouse a desire in the visitor to ow,,
such or to at least improve his own
fowls until they approach the desired
specimens.
| Attractive fowls lead the observer
to study not only their beauty but also
the fact that they will earn money as
well as please he eye.
If the visitor hasn't any fowls al
ready he is very likely to have an at
tack Of the "back-t to- the soil" fever
and especially cravings for some of
the very best in the poultry line.
The desire to live in the country is
almost universal in mankind. Rich
men buy and plan nice country homes
while men in middle circumstances
keep few or many hens to help econ
omiZe on household expenses, as well
as to afford some easing up for the
"back- to- the-s soil" fever.
Often the casual visitor meets with
owners Of fowls on display and poul-
trymen are usually glad to explain the
merits of their fowls. Thus the good
impression made by the fowls them
selves is increased by the owners talk
The average poultry raiser is always
glad to explain methods of feeding
breeding, care of poultry, etc. And he
is generally an enthusiast and in his
talk cannot but impart some of the
enthusiasm to his fellows.
| Another good reason for poultry
shows is this very exchange Of ideas
among the poultry raising folks them
selves. 1t is a regular "gct-to- -gether"
time for the poultry raisers and their
folks. Not only are subjects of poul-
try interest discussed but ideas are
exchanged on nearly all subjects, es-
pecially along farming and gardening
experiences. Any community with
farm and garden interests can we'll af-
ford a poultry show for the good it
will do the community. Many a self.
centered community can be broadened
and helped by getting a rallypoint in
the poultry show room.
| The last and final good thing that
the poultry show does IS to afford q
place for competition and comparison
Of the various breeds and varieties as
well as place to try out the work
of the various breeders. The skill of
thebreeder is shown here and his less
skillful fellows resolve to equal or
out-distance his improvements. Prizes
ale really the least of the reward to
the successful man. 1t is true the
prizes won often lead to a good de-
mand for his stock and thus make him
some money, yet the satisfaction of
L. ,,nx 1.