3 8"? I Corne 11 IDlnivereit^ Xibrari? OF THE IRew l^orF? State College of agriculture //'^^^^ SF 487 Bm'"*" ""'"^'^''y '■''"■^'^y f eport on the poultry industry in Americ 3 1924 003 159 575 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003159575 NATIONAL [odtrg Organisation Socittg > ' '■ ■>' < REPORT ON THE POULTRY INDUSTRY IN AMEBICA. EDWAKD BBOWN, P.L.S. Secretary of the Natienal PoiUtry Organisatiim Soeitfy: Assistant Dirtctor of the AgrieuUural Depmtmeitt, Unim'sitf CoUtge, Rtaiiit^ : Author oj "Poiiltty Ketpmg as m Industry for Farmers ani Cottagers," ••Races of Domestic Pouttry," etc., eU. %or\!bon: NATIONAL POULTRY ORGANISATION SOCIETY, 12, Hanover Square, W. 1906. PRICE ONE SHILLING, NETT. I/ORKS ON POULTRY-KEEPING BY EDWARD BROWN, F.L.S. (Secretary o£ the N.P.O.S.) POULTRY-KEEPING AS AN INDUSTRY FOR FARMERS AND COHAGERS. Sixth Sktion. Fully Illustrated. Crown 4to, 68. Net; Post Free, 6s. 6cl. RACES or DOMESTit POULTRY. New Work Just fublished. Sully Illustrated, Crown 4to, 6s. Net; Post Free, 68. 6d. INDUSTRIAL POULTRY-KEEPING. Fully Illustrated. Paper Boards, Is. ; Post Free, 18. 2d. PLEASURABLE POULtRY-KEEPING. Fully Illuitratttt. 2s. 6d. ; Post Free, 28. 9d, OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. REPORT ON THE POULTRY INDUSTRY IN AMERICA. NATIONAL > • * < REPORT ON THE _POULTRY INDUSTfiY IN AMEBICA, ED^WARD BROWN, F.L.S. Secretary of the National Poultry Organisation Society; Assistant Director of the Agricultural Department, University College, Reading; Author oj "Poultry Keeping as an Industry for Farmers and Cottagers," •'Races of Domestic Poultry," etc., etc. Xon&on : NATIONAL POULTRY ORGANISATION SOCIETY, 12, Hanover Square, W. 1906. "-0 National Poultry Organisation Society, 12, HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W. THE MARCHIONESS OF SALISBURY. Executive Committee : H.R.H. PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. Sir C. Thos. Dyke Acland, Bart. Sir T. H. Elliott, K.C.B. {Secretary Board of Agriculture). W. Fitzheebert-Brockholes, Esq., D.L. William D. James, Esq. E. D. McNaughton, Esq. H. J. RoYDS, Esq. The Duchess of Somerset. Col. Victor Van de Weykr. The Hon. Mrs. Wilmot. R. A. Yerburgh, Esq. The Hon. E. L. Hicks-Beach. Sir James Blyth, Bart. C. E. Brooke, Esq. (Past Master PouUers' Company of London). The Lord C. F. Brudeheld-Bruce. The Lord Burghclere. The Lord Lucas. Caey Coles, Esq. E. T. S. DUGDALE, Esq. Hon. Treasurer— Secretary- Col. R. Williams, M.P. Mr. Edward Brown, F.L.S., 12, Hanover Sq., W, Organiiing Secretary— lAr. Verney Carter. Assistant Secretary— i/Ii:. F. A, Hazlewood, OBJECTS. — The objects for the promotion of which the g; Society is established are : — (a) the organization and development of the Poultry Industry as a most important branch of British Agriculture; (b) the improve- ment of the quality and the increase of the quantity of eggs, poultry, etc., produced in the United Kingdom ; {c) the main- tenance of regularity and uniformity of supply ; (i) the provision of facilities for rapid transit ; and («) the bringing of the producers and retailers into closer touch, in order that the best available market may be obtained at a minimum cost. MEMBERSHIP. — AU subscribers to the National Poultry ^ Organisation Society, either direct or ' through any of its Branches, are Members of the Society, and entitled to its privileges. Subscribers of One Guinea and upwards are registered as Members of Council in accordance with the Rules, which can be obtained on application. Subscriptions of One Shilling and upwards may be made to the Society or its Branches. LEAFLETS AND OTHER INFORMATION can be obtained on application to — The SEGRETaRY (N.P.0.S.), 12, HANOVJBE SQUARE, LONDON, W. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Introduction — Objects of Inquiry Range of Tour Results Acknowledgments I. Methods and Ideals Comparisons Fanciers and Utility Poultry- keepers Canada and the Western States . . Value of Poultry Produce in Canada Census of Fowls in Canada . . Exports from Canada Average number of Fowls on Farms Value of Poultry Produce in United States Missouri Kansas Specialisation in Eastern States . . Large Poultry Plants Small Poultry-keepers Climatic Influences Canadian Winters Nature of Soil Price of Land Labour II. Egg Production Demand for Eggs Lakewood Poultry Farm Breeding and Laying Stock . . Hatching and Rearing Woodlands Poultry Farm Breeding and Rearing Sale of Produce Tiflinghast Poultry Farm Page Paragraph 1 2 ^_ 2 — 3 ~~' S — 5 I 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 5 9 6 9 7 10 8 II 9 12 ID 12 II 14 12 IS 13 IS 14 i6 IS 17 i6 i8 17 19 i8 20 — 20 19 20 20 21 21 23 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 vi Table of Contents. Egg Production (continued) — Various Plants . . Permanent Houses . . Breeds The Trap Nest System Age of Laying Stock Tainted Soil Manure A " Has Been " Combination Plants Profit III. The Colony House System Principles Forms of Colony Houses Tillinghast Colony Houses Rhode Island Colony Farms Rhode Island Colony Houses . . Open Fronted Houses The Tolman House No-Run Houses Curtain Front Houses Double Yards v. Colony Houses.. IV. Egg Production in Canada and THE Western States .... 49 A Farmer's Business Collection Prices Where Sold Canada Supplies to Britain . . Canning Eggs Cold Storage V. Incubation and Rearing Artificial Hatching Capacity of Plants A Mammoth Incubator Incubator Cellars T5rpes of Cellars Ventilation Average Hatching Moisture Natural Hatching Brooder Houses Continuous v. Individual Brooders Methods of Heating Cyphers System Page Paragraph 27 27 27 28 29 29 30 30 31 31 31 32 34 33 34 34 3'! 35 36 36 37 — 37 37 3« 38 38 39 40 40 41 41 43 42 45 43 46 44 47 45 47 46 49 47 50 48 51 49 53 50 53 51 55 52 55 53 55 54 57 — 57 55 58 56 59 57 59 58 60 59 61 60 62 61 64 62 64 63 65 64 65 65 66 66 67 67 Table of Contents, Incubation and Rearing {continued.) — Hovers Colony Brooder Houses Mortality Bare Chickens VI. Systems of Feeding Dry Feed for Chickens Dry Mash.. Hopper Feeding Reasons for Dry Feeding Results Food Mixtures ^. Cost of Feeding Water .. VII. Table Poultry Quality Colour of Flesh and Skin Breeds Grades of Chickens ,. South Shore Roasters Methods of Producing Roasters . . Sale by Weight „ Weights and Prices of Broilers and Roasters -.. Western Chickens How Raised Packing Stations - Weights and Prices of Western Chickens Cold Storage . . .„ Railway Facilities . . Killing and Picking Grading and Packing Table Poultry in Canada ... _. Crate Feeding Squab Pigeons VIII. Duck Farming Duck Farming a Special Industry. . Breeds of Ducks and Breeding . . Duck Houses ,. Feeding and Killing KiUing = IX. Goose Breeding Rhode Island Goose Breeding Vll Page Paragraph 6q 68 69 69 69 70 70 71 70 — 70 72 71 73 72 74 73 75 74 76 7S 77 76 78 77 79 78 — 78 80 78 81 79 82 80 83 81 84 8.S 8S 84 86 84 87 81 88 85 89 87 90 88 61 89 92 89 93 90 94 91 95 92 99 93 97 94 98 94 — 94 99 9S 100 96 lOI 97 102 98 103 99 — 99 104 vm Table of Contents. X. Turkey Raising Turkey Breeding General Breeds of Turkeys Methods Adopted . . Disease in Turkeys . . Black-Head in Turkeys . . The Importation of Disease XI. Methods of Marketing Sale of Eggs Table Poultry ., XII. Instruction in Poultry-Keeping Agricultural Colleges . . Collegiate Courses Instruction in Poultry-Keeping Fanners' Institutes XIII. Experimental Work Agricultural Experiment Stations Scope of Experiments Bulletins and Inquiries XIV. Governmental Assistance . . United States Canada XV. Summary Comparisons Conclusions Page Paragraph 99 — 99 lOO lOO lOI 1 02 103 los 106 107 108 109 no 104 — 104 lOS Ill 112 106 — 106 107 109 no 113 114 "1 116 III — III 113 113 117 118 119 115 — 116 120 121 117 — 117 117 122 123 ILLUSTRATIONS. Plate I. Colony Houses, Lakewood Farm, N.J. „ II. Colony Houses, Tillinghast Poultry Farm ,, III. Rhode Island Colony Houses Fig. I. Ground Plan, Tolman House Plate IV. Typical New England Incubator Cellar V. Colony Houses for Growing Chickens „ VI. Soft Roaster Plant, Norwell, Mass. „ VII. Mr. Jas. Rankin's Duck Farm „ VIII. Duck Fattening Pens, Wrentham, Mass. facing page 20 M .. .. 39 ,, . 41 . 45 ,, . 59 „ . 69 ,, , 82 .> . 95 ,, .. 97 REPORT ON TEE POULTRY INDUSTRY IN AMERICA, To THE Central Executive Committee of the National Poultry Organisation Society. Ladies and Gentlemen, — I beg herewith to submit report of my recent tour in Canada and the United States for the purpose of studying the Poultry Industry in the Eastern sections of the Dominion and the Republic, undertaken in accor- dance with your instructions, and made possible by the generosity of several members of the Central Executive Committee. Objects of Enquiry. — The mission entrusted to me was to enquire (i) as to the large establishments for the pro- duction of eggs which have been developed in the United States, especially as to their commercial and practical value, so as to learn whether they are successful, and, if so, what factors contribute to that success, and how far the same system is capable of adoption in Britain ; (2) as to the remarkable developments now taking place in respect to the production of table poultry in Canada and the United States, more especially in Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Of the poultry imported into the United Kingdom during the seven months ending July 31st, of the current year, 1906, as recorded in the Trade and Navigation Returns, reaching a total value of £524,010, the amount credited to the United States of America was ^£237, 900, or slightly over 45 per cent. It is not only, however, in respect to values that this question is of importance, for the steady improvement in quality is a point which 2 Report on the Poultry Industry in America, chiefly concerns the home breeder and fattener. Although the chickens imported from the States are yet far below our best qualities, they have advanced greatly during the last five years, and now take an important place in our foreign supplies ; (3) as to the instruction, experimental and research work at the leading Agricultural Colleges and Experimental Stations in both Canada and the United States, where so much has been done, more especially in the direction of experiments, in connection with practical poultry-keeping ; and (4) as to the system of marketing adopted with regard to eggs and poultry, and how far by means of cold storage of these articles of food in the great centres the interests of producers are protected. Range of Tour. — Leaving Liverpool on Jiine 2nd, I reached New York on the loth of that month, and re- turned from the same port on August 4th, arriving in England on August nth. Thus I was absent for a period of ten weeks, and in the eight weeks spent in America I travelled nearly 6,500 mUes, during which ten Colleges and Experimental Stations were visited, and nearly sixty poultry establishments and fatting and packing houses. In the United States I visited New York State, New Jersey, the district of Columbia, Penn- sylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas ; and in Canada, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Guelph. I inspected the packing houses in Montreal, Boston, Chicago, Keokuk (Iowa), St. Joseph (Mo.), and Kansas City, also several of the great cold storage plants at some of these centres, and interviewed many of the leading traders in the chief cities. Results. — The results of the enquiry are embodied in my report, and are of greater value than I had antici- pated. If our people are prepared to take advantage of the information thus placed at their disposal, we may anticipate considerable development of the poultry Report on the Poultry Industry in America. 3 industry in the United Kingdom, more especially upon lines which have as yet been attempted to a very limited extent. In many directions our progress has been much the greater, and taking the country as a whole we can fairly claim to have achieved a larger amount of success. But there are branches which, in spite of less favourable conditions, American poultry-keepers have gone beyond us. How far their methods can be adopted by us is indicated in the recommendations given at the end of the Report. Acknowledgments. — It would be impossible to acknowledge adequately the help and courtesies extended to me during the course of my enquiry, for at every place visited I found not only the greatest readiness to afford me information, but an earnest desire to make my journey both pleasant and profitable. Had I accepted the numerous invitations to extend my enquiries, it would have needed as many months as I was able to give weeks to the work. I may, however, express my special thanks to the Hon. James Wilson, U.S. Secretary of State for Agriculture at Washington, and the Hon. Sydney Fisher, M.P., Canadian Minister of Agriculture at Ottawa, for the great help and assistance rendered to me. I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Robinson, Editor of Farm Poultry, Boston, Mass., for the photographs from which Plates I. and III. to VIII. are reproduced, and to Prof. C. K. Graham, of Storrs Agricultural College, Conn., for that represented by Plate II. I have the honour to remain. Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, EDWARD BROWN. 13, Hanover Square, W. September, 1906. REPORT ON THE POULTRY INDUSTRY IN AMERICA. I. METHODS AND IDEALS. I. Comparisons. — In order that we may understand the development of any pursuit it is essential at the outset to endeavour to learn what are the conditions under which it has grown, and the ideas which are in the minds of those engaged in the working. In no case is that of greater importance than where an Englishman seeks to study a highly specialised branch of live stock such as Poultry-keeping. European methods are not American, and vice versa. We live in an old country, thickly populated, with conditions which are the heritage of centuries, and where ideas and prejudices are powerful factors. For ages past poultry have been kept by farmers, generally to a small extent, but in some in- stances on a larger scale. From this basis the Poultry Industry has been evolved, gradually buUt up on the general farming of the country, and to a large extent subsidiary and accessory to ordinary agriculture. Only in a comparatively few instances do poultry form a leading feature of the operations. And we have to recog- nise the fact, not only in the United Kingdom but through- out Europe, that poultry have been for many generations the perquisite and special department of the farmer's wife, her husband paying little attention and giving small encouragement to a branch which he regarded as beneath his notice. It is only within the last two decades that a change — gradual but not the less sure — has taken place in this direction, for the customs of centuries alter slowly. 6 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. Further, the more limited extent of land available in Britain, and the difficulty of securing such land by purchase or rental, apart from the question of initial cost, have compelled intensification of method and special attention to detail, unknown where land is abimdant and cheap. In America, as in all newer and more thinly populated countries, other conditions prevail. The rapidly increasing demands of city populations have led to operations on a larger scale, for these have not been met by importations as in Britain. Across the Atlantic, more especially in the eastern sections of the United States, solution of the problem of supplying eggs and poultry has been sought from the opposite extreme, and by altogether different methods. How far success has been achieved the following pages will show. It is necessary, however, to realise the differences between the two countries. 2. Fanciers and Utility Poultry Keepers. — One other fact must be kept in mind, as will be explained more fully below, namely, that whilst the " fancy," or breeding for exhibition, has had very great influence in Britain in stimulation of poultry-keeping, in the encouragement of breeding for purity of race, and, to a lesser extent now than formerly, in the improvement of economic qualities, the undue exaltation of arbitrary characters, by reason of the fact that birds possessing these are more valuable in the show room than those which are better as layers or as table chickens, but in which these " points," as they are called, are not so highly developed, has led to a very marked cleavage between the fancier and the utility poultry breeder. The one to a large extent ignores the strictly profitable qualities, unless, as is fortunately true in some cases, his standards or ideals tend to that result, whereas the other must make prolificacy, or early ma- turity, or flesh properties his main object. The latter, even though he rightly regards correctness of type as essential, does not place this before actual productiveness. Methods and Ideals. 7 In America shows are much less numerous than with us, the distances to be traversed are greater, with consequent increase of expense in exhibition of stock and personal attendance, and prizes are upon a much lower basis, whilst the demand and prices paid for high class specimens are equally less. Hence in Canada and the United States there is much greater affinity between the exhibitor and the utUity breeder, who are often one and the same, with its reactive influence upon the breeds kept. This explains why, as at the Rhode Island Agricultural College, King- ston, and other institutions, much more attention is paid to instruction in " fancy " poultry breeding than is the case with us. I was informed that men seeking situations as managers of poultry plants must be qualified to deal with exhibition stock. But there are signs, more espe- cially in Canada, that the tendency is distinctly in the direction of separation of interest between exhibitors and those who are concerned mainly in production of market eggs and poultry. Whether the line of demarcation will ever be as sharply drawn as in England remains to be seen. Probably it will depend upon the advent or not of a class with means enabling them to purchase expensive specimens purely for exhibition purposes, and of a suburban or industrial community who keep poultry as a hobby or means of recreation. 3. Canada and the Western States. — In Canada and the Western States these remarks do not apply generally, for poultry-keeping is there essentially a farmer's business, and fanciers as such are few and far between. The efforts of the central authorities at Washington and Ottawa, and of the State and Provincial departments, have been put forward in the direction of encouraging poultry-keeping on farms, not at special establishments. The Hon. James WUson, U.S. Secretary of State for Agriculture, informed me, and aU the evi- dence I obtained confirmed his statements, that when the great fall came in prices of grain farmers fed it to stock, 8 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. inclusive of poultry, and have continued to do so to an increasing extent, or, to use the expression of a leading English agriculturalist, they made the grain " walk to market." Mr. Wilson further said that the bulk of eggs and poultry consumed in the States, and of poultry exported, are produced by farmers, not at poultry farms, which are chiefly concerned in the supply of high grade or " near-by " eggs, as they are termed, or of fine qualities of chickens and ducklings, but do not bulk at all largely in the total annual output. Additional evidence upon this question is given in later sections of my Report. One of the leading officials in the Farm Section of the Department of Agriculture at Washington stated that more poultry proportionately are kept upon smaller than larger farms, as is the case in Europe. In Canada, Ontario is the great egg-producing province, and there poultry-keeping has increased enormously of late years, due to the profitable nature of the work, as a result of greatly enhanced prices. The trade with England was the first step in this direction, but within the last few years the home demand has grown so enor- mously and the local prices have advanced to so large an extent that they are for the time being independent of the English markets, finding it more profitable to seU at home. The best table poultry in the Dominion appear to be found in the Province of Quebec, raised by the French Canadians, who have inherited their skUl from the early settlers, and who probably brought the knowledge from France. So far as I was able to learn there has not as yet been any great development in the more recently settied districts of North- Western Canada, although considerable attention is being paid by the authorities to this question. ' 4. Value of Poultry Produce in Canada. — By the courtesy of the Hon. Sydney Fisher, M.P., Minister of Agriculture at Ottawa, I am able to give statistics as to the value of the poultry produced in Canada, but. Methods and Ideals. unfortunately, not to a later date than 1901. Mr. Fisher says, under date of July ist, 1906 : 5. Census of Fowls in Canada. — " The total number of hens and chickens in the Dominion in 1891, according to the census, was 12,696,701, as! against 16,562,084, of which 236,505 were pure bred, in 1901. The ducks, geese, turkeys and other fowl numbered 1,408,401 in 1891 against 1,360,574 in 1901. The decrease was in geese, ducks and other fowl ; turkeys increased rather over 100,000 in the ten years. Of the total number of hens and chicks in 1901, 14,851,347 were kept on farms, and of these 177,878 were pure bred. The following table shows the value of poultry and eggs produced in the different provinces in 1901 : EGGS. POULTRY. Ontario . . . $5,756,221 $3,125,166 Quebec . . 2,007,320 1,166,314 Nova Scotia 543,108 215,223 New Brunswick 372,745 213,219 Prince Edward Island. 248,423 147,159 Manitoba 605,534 417,586 British Columbia 426,629 209,717 The Territories.. 326,848 226,376 $10,286,828 $5,720,760 6. Exports from Canada. — " The total value of Canada's exports of poultry, dressed and undressed, in 1894 was $20,362 ; in 1902 it was $238,047, and in 1904 it was $140,214. In 1894 5,141,586 dozen eggs were exported, in 1902 12,000,000 dozen, and in 1904 5,780,316 dozen. 7. Average Number of Fowls on Farms. — "The average number of poultry kept on the Canadian farm in 1901 was 34.24, and the average number of eggs produced was 159.66 dozen, making an average individual product lo Report on the Poultry Industry in America. per hen of 5.25 dozen. The average number of poultry per farm in the different provinces in 1901 was as follows : British Cohimbia 43.22 Manitoba 34-50 New Brunswick 18.75 Nova Scotia . . 14.60 Prince Edward Island 43.24 Ontario 50.93 Quebec ^ 22.49 The Territories 22.52 From the above it will be seen that in 1901 the Canadian production of eggs and poultry was estimated in value at £3,335,000, but it is believed that the increase since that time has been very large indeed, and that last year the total value was not far short of five million pounds sterling, which, considering the number of inhabitants in the Dominion, about 5^ millions, less than are found within the London Metropolitan area, is a very high average. 8. Value of Poultry Produce in United States. — The Hon. James Wilson, United States Secretary of State for Agriculture, informed me that the total value of the eggs and poultry produced in the States during 1905 was estimated at $500,000,000, that is rather more than one hundred million pounds sterling. Upon what basis this estimate is made I am unable to say, and there are those who regard it as generous, in some cases putting the figure at twenty-five per cent. less. Upon that I can ofEer no opinion. That the production is enormous cannot be questioned, more especially in four of the Western States, namely, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. One gentleman who is in a position to know informed me that these four States produce 25 to 30 per cent, of the eggs and poultry marketed in America, although much more is heard respecting New England, chiefly owing to the fact that Methods and Ideals, ii there large plants are met with which lend themselves to pictorial description, whereas in the West the ordinary farmers are the producers. Nor is this statement as surprising as might at first sight appear. According to the census of 1900 the six New England States (Massa- chusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine) have an area of 66,465 square miles, with a population of 5,592,017, whereas the four Western States named above have an area of 264,170 square miles, with a population of 11,630,563. And to a much larger extent the people of the Eastern States are employed in commercial and industrial pursuits, so that the proportion engaged in agriculture is higher in the West. g. Missouri. — Statistics arejavailable as to two of the Western States already named, Missouri and Kansas, which may be accepted as indicative of the enormous development of the poultry industry in those sections of the country. From an official report recently published by the Missouri State Bureau at Jefferson City, the ship- ments of poultry products during 1905 were : QUANTITIES. VALUES. Live Poultry.. 172,644,140 lbs. $15,537,972.40 Dead Poultry 61,672,732 lbs. 7,400,727.84 Eggs .. .. 100,487,574 doz 14,068,160.34 Feathers .. 1,169,409 lbs. 502,845.87 Total .. .. $37,509,706.45 These figures represent an increase of $5,336,989.45 over the shipments of the previous year, but do not indicate the total production, as it is estimated that three-fifths of the produce is consumed within the State, leaving a surplus of two-fifths for shipment. If that is correct, the total egg and poultry crop of Missouri would be valued at upwards of ninety-three million dollars. It 12 Report on the Poultrv Industry in America, is interesting to note, more especially as Missouri is one of the greatest grain States, that the total shipments of grain of aU kinds, seeds, hay and straw in 1905 were a little more than twenty million dollars in value, and not much above half of the egg and poultry shipments. 10. Kansas. — In Kansas it is officially stated that when the great fall in prices of grain took place a few years ago, by turning their attention to egg and poultry production farmers were saved from the disasters which threatened them. Kansas has an area of 82,080 square miles, or twenty per cent, greater than that of Missouri, but its population is less than half (1,470,495, as against 3,106,665 in 1900), and it was settled at a much later period. Consequently its production is not so large. From the figures supplied to me by the Hon. F. D. Cobum, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, I find that the sales of poultry and eggs in 1905 were valued at $8,541,153. Whether these apply to shipments alone is not stated, and I am unable, therefore, to estimate the value of the home consumption. It may, however, be reasonably assumed that the poultry crop in Missouri and Kansas in 1905 yielded in cash nearly ten million pounds sterling to the farmers of those two great states. These are large figures even for America. I am informed that in Nebraska, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas poultry-keeping is growing very rapidly, and will in the future be equal to Missouri and Kansas. But, as shown below, the methods of collection and the distances over which the produce has to be transported to the eastern markets, places these western supplies in pretty much the same category as eggs and chickens from Eastern and Southern Europe hold in the English trade. From St. Joseph, Mo., to New York is 1,400 miles. 11. Specialisation in Eastern States. — In the older and more thickly populated States on the Atlantic sea-board, that is New York, New England, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, development has recently been on Methods and Ideals, 13 more intensive lines, due to the partial reduction in the rural population, who have been attracted by the virgin lands of the West, for which they have left their exhausted farms in large numbers, and to the enormous and rapidly increasing demand for first quality eggs and good table poultry. Thus we have similar conditions to those which are found at home, with this difference, however, that greater ideas have prevailed. Poultry-farming has been attempted in Britain, but on a much less extensive scale. The combination of cheap land, abundant supply of food, and huge demand at good prices, has drawn many into the pursuit. Poultry farming is never unprofitable on paper. But the American spirit is manifested in the handling of big things, and, when a sufficient amount of capital is available, a man is not afraid to risk all he is worth upon ventures at which our people would hesitate. Self-confidence is a great factor, and in that Americans are not lacking, but it often leads to the conquest of difficulties and the solution of problems which in other hands would be too great. That it has been popular to take up poultry is undoubted, and wealthy men have done this regardless of actual profit. But the great majority of those who have gone into the business have done so because of their belief in the possibilities of making a living or even a fortune out of it. Many have failed, numerous plants have never paid their way, others have succeeded by the introduction of secondary but profitable sources of revenue. But that some have proved successful cannot be doubted, where due regard is paid to economic and hygienic principles. Capital is of great importance, but the personal equation must accom- pany it, and is supreme. Mention was made by Mr. D. A. Brodie, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, of Mr. H. L. Blanchard, now of Washington State, a success- ful lawyer whose health broke down under the stress of city life. He purchased land in the West, cleared the timber, and by the combination of dairying and poultry- keeping has not only found restored health and interest. 14 Report on the Poultry Indtistry in America. but made a complete financial success of his enterprise. Another instance is that of Mr. H. D. Smith, of Crystal Springs Poultry Farm, Mass. An engineer, engaged in a city business, he gave it up for poultry farming, and, as we see below (pars. 85 and 86), has attained a large measure of success. There are many others who have done the same. How they have won this success will be seen later. 12. Large Poultry Plants. — There would appear to be a constant tendency to the development of large poultry operations, and many are to be met with in various parts of the Eastern States. It was impossible for me to do more than visit a few of them, but those selected may be regarded as typical of others. With some of the owners the sense of possessing the " largest poultry farm in the world " is aUuring, but with the majority it is a question of dollars first, second, and last. At one place I visited there are 4,000 laying hens in addition to the breeding stock, at another 5,000. At the former it is intended ultimately to raise the number to 7,000, and at the latter the aim is to keep 10,000 hens for laying. The owner of the last-named plant (par. 23), a successful manufacturer in Philadelphia, has already invested upwards of £6,000 in his poultry plant, and is prepared to increase the amount to £20,000. He devotes a considerable part of his time to the business, which is conducted upon commercial principles, and records are kept as accurately and carefully as in his factory. Such belief in the possibility of poultry-farming is very common, and men are prepared to take large risks, involving their own capital because they anticipate big profits. Per- sonally I feel that they do not fully understand the dangers resultant from keeping too many fowls on the land, for it is a common belief that 200 birds can be kept per acre year after year; but my present point is to indicate the spirit manifested by men of capital and keen business ability. Many of these large poultry plants are Methods and Ideals, i5 in operation in the Eastern States, and many more are in process of formation. 13. Small Poultry-Keepers. — One of the most surprising features to the British observer is the almost total absence of suburban and small poultry-keepers, who occupy a considerable place in our home production. Throughout the residential and manufacturing districts of New England it is the exception to find a few fowls kept for supply of the household requirements. And I was assured by one of the officials in the Department of Agriculture at Washington that this is true as regards the entire country. From my own observations the same remarks wiU apply to Canada. The reasons given are two-fold ; first, that the system of purchasing land instead of renting tends to smaller size of ground available around the dwellings. A man who buys a lot for the purpose of buUding a house, generally is compelled to restrict himself severely in the area of ground. But also the custom of open courts without fences or back gardens of sufficient size makes the keeping of fowls more difficult ; and, second, there would appear to be a feeling that it is hardly worth whUe to cultivate the ground or to keep fowls, and that unless a man can keep poultry on a larger scale, as a business, he prefers to leave them alone. In a country with so much land available, it is startling to find even in rural districts the cramped yards in which fowls are kept. Freedom of range does not seem to be thought of even where there is no apparent reason for restriction. Up to the present the suburban poultry-keeper is known to a very limited extent ; the cottager, as we see him in Europe, is entirely absent, except, perhaps, in the South among the coloured people. But I cannot speak from personal observations as to that part of the country. 14. Climatic Influences. — One of the difficulties presenting itself in clearly understanding the conditions prevailing in another country than that with which we are familiar, is in respect to variations of climate. This is i6 Report on the Poultry Industry in America, especially so to the Englishman attempting to fully realise the conditions prevailing in the United States and Canada. But it is necessary to the success of any enquiry. As I had not an opportunity of visiting the Southern and far Western States, my remarks must be taken to apply only to those sections of the country already named. America is a great country, as divergent in its climate as the whole of Europe. We can, however, generalise to some extent. With the exception of New Jersey and Southern Pennsylvania, where the winters are milder, it is admitted that great extremes of heat and cold are met with, and that Canada has a much lower temperature in winter than New York and Missouri. I have no per- sonal experience of that season of the year, but can speak feelingly as to the summer heat both in the East and West, for the thermometer registered 92 and 94 degs. F. in the shade on several days during the month of July. In the British Isles the conditions are distinctly more temperate. If very occasionally we do reach 90 degs. we scarcely ever fall to zero. Either one or the other is for a few hours only, and there are not the long spells of heat or cold common in the Northern and Western States and Canada, often extending for several weeks together. The fact is, we do not need in Britain to take into account such extremes, as they are met with very seldom indeed, but in America these must be provided for year by year. In Connecticut I found this to be the case, as 4 degs. below zero is common there, and that is equally true in other parts of New England, New York State, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. 15. Canadian Winters. — It is, however, in Canada where the strongest evidence was given to me as to the conditions prevailing in winter. Mr. F. C. Elford, now attached to the great Agricultural College in course of erection at St. Annes-de-Bellevue, in the Province of Quebec, stated that the reason why portable poultry houses are not used in Canada is that the climate is against Methods and Ideals. 17 them, as they could not be reached for weeks because of the great fall of snow, and they would be too cold for the inmates. Mr. A. G. Gilbert, of the Agricultural Experi- ment Station, Ottawa, said that often there the tempera- ture is 10 degs. below zero for a fortnight, and 25 degs. below zero is by no means uncommon, whilst the snow fall is very great, lying several feet thick upon the ground for weeks together. He believes that this is beneficial in that the frost, which penetrates three or four feet into the ground, kills all parasites and destroys the ammonia from manure, so that practically they have fresh ground every season. This view I did not find supported by other experts, and would require further observation and experience to receive general acceptance. A further point of great importance mentioned by Mr. Gilbert is that the extreme cold retards the commencement of the breeding season, and that eggs cannot be relied upon for hatching before April izth, so that early hatching is impossible to the same extent as in Britain. Professor Graham, of the Ontario Agricultural College, at Guelph, says that eggs hatch well in January, but very badly in February and March, and it is not until the middle of April that strong germs can be relied upon. He does not think that the intense cold destroys parasites in the soU. It will be seen, therefore, that in the Northern States and Canada climatic conditions are less favourable than in Britain both as regards summer and winter, for excessive heat retards the growth of chickens, and extreme cold prevents that early hatching which means so much, in the securing of high prices for spring chickens and ducklings, and of early-lajdng puUets, to our poultry breeders. 16. Nature of Soil. — An opinion very generally held in America is that light sandy soil is more suitable for poultry than that which is richer and heavier. This explains why many of the large plants are located on ground which is useless for other purposes. I found this view held almost everywhere. Two of the largest plants in New Jersey, those at Lakewood and lona, are 1 8 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. on land which is of small value for cultivation, and the numerous smaller poultry farms in that State are located on light, sandy soil. This opinion is that of the authorities at Washington, but is not held to the same extent in Canada. The reason given is that the manure is said to pass through quickly, so that there is less danger of tainted soil, and that heavier land becomes sick and causes disease much sooner. As against this, for my opinion is that the result is only delayed not prevented, must be placed the absence of natural food, but the gain is regarded as greater than any loss in that direction. With us the reverse is the case, and I am not prepared to accept the American opinion as correct. 17. Price of Land. — A factor which contributes to the development of poultry farming is the low price of land in many sections of the country. Not only is that the case in the West, both of Canada and the United States, where grants are made free, or at a nominal cost, but in the East land can be bought cheaply, more es- pecially on the light sandy soUs of New Jersey and New England, and in the exhausted farming districts of New England. In Connecticut I saw land which had been sold at $3 per acre, but that was several miles from a railway station. More conveniently situated in the same State ground can be purchased outright at $8 to $10 per acre. In the Lakewood district of New Jersey lots may be bought at $6 to $8 per acre. Thus in some cases in America the ground can be purchased at little more than the annual rental in England. This is most important, except in the direction of erection of buildings where the question of landlords' claims becomes a serious factor, as it means lessened profit to the poultry-keeper. Upon a sixty-acre farm in Britain at a rental of £1 per annum, the annual charge would be £()0 for rent. On a farm in America, of which the freehold is obtained at, say, $10 per acre, the interest at 5 per cent, would be only $30 ll&j per annum, leaving a margin to the good of more than £1 per week. But in the former case a house Methods and Ideals. 19 and farm buildings would frequently be included, whereas in the latter they would have to be erected, and the interest thereon would considerably reduce the margin. 18. Labour. — Whilst the smaller farmer does not need to employ assistants, and could not afford to do so were they available, such help becomes indispensable when operations are on a large scale. Hence the question of labour is very important in connection with poultry plants. In America labour is scarce and very expensive, and especially if it is skilled. Men capable of handling large concerns can command big salaries. On one farm visited, the Manager is paid $1,000 (£200) per annum and board. Even the wages of ordinary men, who in country districts in Britain would be well satisfied with 15s. to 20s. per week, range up to three and four times these sums. Unless paid well they go elsewhere. The complaint made on all sides is as to the unreliability and expensiveness of labour. On chicken and duck farms in New England pickers are paid 4 to 8 cents (2d. to 4d.) per bird, and a good man can earn $30 to $40 (£6 to £8) per week. In the West the rate is generally 3 cents per bird. On one farm in Connecticut I was told that the rate of wages is $40 to $60 (£8 to £12) per month. Under these circumstances it will be realised that any gain there may be in cheap land is more than equalled by the expense of assistance where operations are on a sufficiently large scale to compel the employment of workers. This fact has to be taken into account in connection with the erection of houses, etc., which are costly. Even allowing for the slightly lower price of timber, or " lumber " as it is called, the cost of such buildings as are necessary is 30 to 40 per cent, higher than in England, and the capital required must be greater to that extent. These facts show that the cost of production of eggs and chickens is rather above the British average, for, as we see later, there is practically no gain in food stuffs, which, except in the Com Belt, differ very little in price as compared with England. 20 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. II. EGG PRODUCTION. 19. Demand for Eggs. — Reference has already been made to the large and rapidly-increasing demand for first-class eggs in the Eastern States, and it is with a view to meeting the requirements of this trade that many of the large plants have been formed. As already indicated, in that section of the United States farmers do not keep poultry to the same extent as in Europe ; consequently, the supply can only be very partially met by the combination of the produce of a large number of farmers in any given district as with us. There can be no question that a much better price is obtainable where contracts can be entered into directly with hotels and big consumers. These enhanced prices have a very important influence in determining the returns. More than one of the owners of these big plants expressed to me their doubt as to whether the business can be made profitable if the eggs are disposed of through the ordinary salesmen. That, however, is true to a large extent everywhere, and is not special to America. 20. Lakewood Poultry Farm. — One of the most successful poultry plants is that near Lakewood, in the township of Bursville, New Jersey. This was established by Mr. A. G. Brown, and has now been conducted for a period of seven years. Mr. Brown gave up a very promising position in commercial life in New York City, as he was attracted by country work, preferring to spend himself in an employment which was more natural than the rush and bustie of a great city. He, however, had the advantage of a business training, and has brought with him abilities which are of distinct assistance. He commenced with a capital of $2,000, and was enabled to increase this considerably I n o o 2 ■< K o Egg Production. 21 within the first two or three years. Since that time the business has grown so largely that he has obtained additional financial help, and he informed me that last year a profit of $7,000 had been made. The farm consists of about 60 acres of sandy soil, well covered for the most part with the small oak and pine trees found generally in that section of New Jersey, although over part of the farm clearances have been made. Apart from the nature of the soU, to which reference has already been made, the position is a good one, as there is plenty of shelter and it is fairly dry. The buildings are excellent in every way, and the capital invested is something in the neighbourhood of $20,000. Upon the farm are seven long poultry-houses, each 128 ft. by 16 ft., divided into eight pens, giving in house room 16 ft. sq. for each lot of 60 birds. Outside there are yards or runs 100 ft. long by 16 ft. wide, to afford exercise for the fowls. Last year 4,000 laying hens, excluding the breeding stock, were kept, and it is intended to increase the number within a year or two to 7,000. The runs are planted with fruit trees for the purpose of keeping the ground sweet, but in addition they are cultivated from time to time. It may be explained that in each of the houses there is a passage way at the back, and in front of that is a roosting compartment, raised above the floor, with hinged curtained fronts, which can be used in the winter time, the rest of the house being employed as a scratching shed in order to give the birds plenty of exercise. At the time of our visit I did not see upon the whole estab- lishment a sick bird ; in fact both the old and young stock appeared to be not only healthy but active and vigorous. 21. Breeding and Laying Stock. — The fowls kept upon the farm are entirely White Leghorns, which are preferred by reason of the fact that they are active, hardy, and excellent layers. Mr. Brown has experimented with different breeds, and considering the fact that in New York and some of the holiday resorts in New Jersey, 22 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. where his trade is principally done, white-sheUed eggs are preferred, he has abandoned all in favour of the breed already named. The hens are kept for two years and only the second year birds are used for breeding, as he depends very largely upon the young stock for the production of his eggs. The old birds, at the end of their second season, are sold, and there is a large demand for them among the Hebrew community. Careful selection has been made to increase the egg production. Mr. Brown informed me that the average laying during his first year was 90 per hen, whereas last year he attained an average of 169 over the entire flock of yearlings. He does not trap-nest at all, but selects by length of back, depth of body, posterior development, and general health, believing that vigour of constitution is of essential importance. The production last year amounted to 50,000 dozens, of which nearly half a million were sold for consumption, but there has grown up a large sale of eggs for hatching — one order this year was 10,000 eggs for a new plant. Mr. Brown has also developed a consider- able trade in stock birds, and has sold about 15,000 day-old chickens. There can be no question that these sections of the business add considerably to the profits attained, but Mr. Brown declares that the success of the farm is due to its utility section, and that the other trade is merely a fringe. He has been forced into it by demand, and wisely takes advantage of the reputation obtained for his stock. He states that the success of this plant is not due to what may be termed the accessories, but to supplying eggs and chickens for ordinary consumption. The surplus cockerels are killed when they weigh fib., and sold as squab broilers, for which there is a very large demand at excellent prices. Nearly all the eggs are sold by contract, and the lowest price is 32 cents (is. 4d.) per dozen, delivered in New York and other centres, rising to 60 cents (2s. 6d.) in the winter months. These are high prices, and can only be secured by careful attention to freshness and quality of the produce. ^SS Pyoduction. 23 22. Hatching and Rearing. — All the young birds are raised upon the farm, and the arrangements for hatching and rearing are of a most complete character. The incubator cellar has a capacity of 7,000 eggs. The chickens are raised at the first in large brooder houses (par. 64), of which one is 300 ft. long. At first this was fitted with continuous brooder pipes, but these have been altered, and are fitted at the back to warm the house for winter work, whilst all the chickens are raised in indi- vidual brooders of a simple pattern. When the chickens are taken from them they are placed in colony houses scattered over the farm (Plate I.), and they are kept in these until fuUy grown. The colony houses are kept upon the land for two years, and then removed to fresh ground, that thus vacated being planted in order to sweeten it. Of course the sexes are separated as early as possible, and all the cockerels killed off in the way already indicated, except a few which are intended either to be used or sold as breeding stock. By hatching in the month of April the puUets begin to lay in September and October, and there is not much difiiculty in keeping them in profit throughout the winter months. Mr. Brown breeds a number during the autumn, as they are found very valuable to help in maintaining an equal supply of eggs at periods of the year when the earlier hatched pullets commence to fall off. Everything about this place has the appearance of prosperity, and there can be no question that Mr. Brown is skilful at the work, and his example has had much to do with the development upon special lines of large poultry plants. 23. Woodlands Poultry Farm, Iona, N.J. — This farm has been established more recently, and is one of the most highly developed we had the opportunity of visiting. The owner, Mr. L. H. Hallock, has been for many years a breeder of poultry in a small way. He is a large manufacturer in Philadelphia, which is about thirty miles from Iona, and has been very successful 24 Report on the Poultry Industry in America, in commercial life. His faith in the future of his farm is very great, so much so that, as already stated (par. 12) , he has already invested upwards of $30,000 in it, and is prepared to increase that capital to $100,000 if it is necessary. He believes there is a fortune in it, and looks forward to establishing his sons in this business. The farm is about one mUe from lona station, and consists of 62 acres, upon light sandy soil, of scarcely any value whatever, and which Mr. HaUock purchased at an almost nominal cost. I have already mentioned this question of land value (par. 17), and there is no doubt that it is an important point. The buildings upon the farm are excellent in every way, and have been erected with the idea of permanence. They are aU made — as is usually the case here — of wood upon brick or stone foundations. Two houses are used for the breeding stock, each of which is 550 ft. in length and divided into 75 compart- ments. At the back is a raised passage way, so that the attendants can go from one end to another without opening a single gate ; the fronts of the compartments are made of wire netting, but immediately before the roosting places are drop curtains, which can be used in winter. A trolley track runs the whole length of each house, so that the work of feeding and cleaning is greatly simplified. In these houses 25 hens are kept in each compartment, and two cocks allocated to them, used in alternation. In addition there is a laying house 500 ft. in length, holding 3,000 hens ; each compartment is 20 ft. sq. and 120 birds are kept therein. The houses are of a distinctly advanced type, in that double yards are provided in front and back for winter and summer use, and in order to give a rest to the land. These yards are not each as long as at Lakewood, but being double the same amount of space is provided. When rested they are planted with rye grass or some other quick growing crop to sweeten them. 24. Breeding and Rearing. — The main part of the stock consists of White Leghorns, although Plymouth Egg Production. 35 Rocks and White Wyandottes are also kept. The first named are thought to be the better layers, and also the young cockerels make more money, for they are kiUed off as squab broilers when weighing from f to I lb. each, which weights are attained in eight weeks from hatching. These sell at from 3s. to 6s. per pair. White Leghorns, however, are of no use for ordinary broilers, and for that purpose the Plymouth Rocks are preferred, as they kUl better when weighing about 2 lbs. each. I was not able to obtain any definite records as to average egg production, and in fact the farm has hardly been established long enough to speak confidently upon that point. The arrangements for hatching and rearing are on a very large scale. The incubator cellar (par. 59), with offices and food store above, is placed between the two large brooder houses, they forming the wings. This in- cubator cellar accommodates seventeen 360-egg machines. The brooder houses are respectively 100 ft. and 150 ft. in length, and are heated by the Davis and Rock system (par. 66). The compartments are 20 ft. wide by 12 ft. in length, and when the birds are older they are given runs outside. The ground there is entirely bare, butjfit is planted at the end of each rearing season in order to sweeten it. As soon as they are old enough to dispense with brooding, the pullets are placed in colony houses out on the open ground. Of these colony houses there are 100 in use, and they are moved twice a week. There is a good deal of scrub or brush upon the ground' which provides shelter, and a small amount of insect life. These colony houses are low and small, and do not accommodate more than 30 to 40 birds. At the time I visited Mr. HaUock's establishment there were between 4,000 and 5,000 laying hens upon the farm, and it is hoped to raise the number to 10,000. • rn ■,r. O Q H Cm Incubation and Rearing. 69 to use them as laying stock, at 5 weeks much larger runs are given, and they are fed for slower growth. It is claimed that the food is important to secure these results. That question is dealt with later. 68. Hovers. — The covers under which the chickens rest during the time when heat is applied, or " hovers " as they are called, are generally made of wood, with flannel tacked on to the edges, but in some pipe-warmed houses where either continuous or individual brooders are used, coarse canvas upon wooden frames is employed and with great success. In a house where the atmosphere was not warmed these, however, would be insufficient. 69. Colony Brooder Houses. — At several of the plants visited I found that Colony houses are used. In these are placed brooders, which are removed when the chicks have reached 5 or 6 weeks old. The system is by no means new, as it has been adopted in Europe for many years, but it has distinct advantages, as the houses are kept fuUy employed throughout the year. The most ingenious arrangement met with was on the Cornell University plant, introduced by Prof. Rice. In this case the brooder is heated by gasoline. A tank is fitted near the roof holding 5 gallons, sufficient for three weeks' burning, connected by pipes with the lamp, and when set it can be left for a week without attention. The apparatus costs about £1, and the expense of heating is only 2d. per week. 70. Mortality. — It is freely acknowledged that at first the mortality among artificially-raised chickens, as in England, was very great indeed, where large numbers were raised at one place, so much so that many went out of the business on that account. Dearly-bought experi- ence has enabled breeders to prevent such a result, though in some cases it is stiU high. We have found that by prevention of overcrowding, by securing sufficient ventila- tion in brooders and brooder houses, by compelling the 70 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. chickens to take plenty of exercise in seeking for food by means of the dry-feeding system, the loss can be reduced to a very small percentage. Management accounts for success in every department, but hygienic principles must be observed. The same is true in America. 71. Bare Chickens. — I was very much surprised to find in several places visited considerable numbers of chickens running about almost denuded of feathers. These were chiefly Plymouth Rocks. In one case, it was regarded as an advantage, as they were said to be making frame instead of feather. Such an argument can hardly be taken seriously. They were apparently healthy. No information could be obtained as to the cause. That it must be due to inherent weakness or want of proper food is evident, and it is a question which deserves careful attention, as the tendency appears to increase. Happily we have nothing of this kind with utility fowls in Europe, though it is not unknown in fancy fowls. I was also informed, especially in Canada, that what is called white diarrhoea is very prevalent among chickens, causing a great amount of loss. Both are, in my judgment, danger signals. VI. SYSTEMS OF FEEDING. 72. Dry Feed for Chickens. — To American poultry breeders we are indebted for the method of Dry Feeding, by which is meant the placing of small seeds and broken com in cut chaff, thus compelling the birds to work for their food, a system which has made possible the artificial rearing of chickens on a large scale with a very small per- centage of mortality. Important though the nature of the food may be, it is evident that the chief merit of Dry Feed- ing arises from the exercise thus obtained, which develops the various organs and muscles of the body, giving the Systems of Feeding. 71 vigour essential to growth and power to resist climatic and other changes. The system has been largely adopted in Britain and with most satisfactory results, though we have found moist food essential during a portion of the time. A fuU report as to experiments made at the Reading CoUege Poultry Farm, Theale, will be found in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture, June, 1904 (page 135), and August, 1905 (page 257). I was prepared, therefore, to find this method largely adopted in America, where the fact is recognized that it is desirable to keep the growing birds scratching all the time. We have seen, however, that one result of dry feeding is that the crops of birds so reared do not expand to the same extent as when moist food is supplied, and they cannot at a later stage be crammed to the degree necessary for making first-class table poultry. Whether the dry mash described below will overcome this difficulty can only be determined by experiment. 73. Dry Mash. — The dry food system has, however, been carried one stage farther, namely, by the use of what is called " dry mash," that is food given in the meal form without any added moisture. This is entirely against all previous ideas both in Europe and America. It has been customary to feed grain dry, whether on the ground, in troughs, or among the litter, but whenever meal is used the plan universally adopted is to mix this with water, preferably hot, and give in the form of a crumbly paste, called soft food with us, and " wet mash " in America. The reasons for use of food so prepared are that it is more easily digested than the whole grain, that some materials would not be assimilated at aU in the body unless the fibre is broken down in this way, and that certain foods, as also hard vegetables, would be useless unless softened by steeping or cooking. These ideas have been firmly held among progressive poultry keef)ers, who also believe that a warm morning feed in winter promotes laying. In the light, however. 72 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. of what is now being done in America, even allowing for the enthusiasm with which new ideas are accepted in that country, often before they are fully tested, all our opinions may have to be reconsidered. I certainly saw enough to say that British poultry breeders will do well to try the dry mash method, and by careful observa- tion see whether it has all the advantages claimed for it, with a readiness to adopt it, in spite of custom and prejudice, if it is proved to be successful under our conditions. At present a measure of scepticism is justi- fiable, especially for the production of table chickens. I found this system, which is, however, wisely combined with litter feeding on grain, in use on many plants. Mr. L. H. Hallock, of the Woodlands Farm, lona, N.J., feeds his chickens and hens entirely on dry mash ; Mr. P. R. Paul, of Reading, Mass., uses dry mash and grain, but no wet food ; Mr. H. Richardson, of Reading, Mass., uses dry feeding alone ; Mr. H. D. Smith, of Rockland, Mass., and other breeders of soft roasters in that section depend upon dry mash for breeding stock and young chickens alike ; the same is true in the case of Mr. G. G- TiUinghast, of Vernon, Conn., Mr. A. C. Brown, of the Lakewood Farm, N.J., dry feeds all the time both young and old, but is careful to give as varied food as possible. Prof. Gowell, of the Maine Experiment Station, is a strong advocate of this system, and at most of the colleges visited I found tests being made, which, up to the present, have been favourable. 74. Hopper Feeding. — A further contravention of all the canons hitherto accepted is that the food is kept before the birds all the time, so that they eat whenever they like. During the first week the chicks are fed from shallow trays, which are well supplied, as at lona, but in others small hoppers are used. After that period the dry mash is kept in hoppers, which are frequently made large enough to hold a week's supply. These hoppers are of wood, consisting of the reservoir with a sloping lid, and below is a tray into which the Systetns of Feeding. 73 food falls. As the birds consume it more comes down, so that the action is automatic. In some cases, these hoppers are made in three sections, one for a mixture of meals, one for beef scrap, and the third for bran, so that the birds can help themselves to whichever they like. But in others all the various ingredients are mixed in one hopper. Where grain is scattered in the litter there is a double choice, as the inmates can either supply themselves from the hopper without any exertion, or they can scratch for the grain. As they appear to prefer grain to dry mash, the tendency is distinctly to exercise. An interesting experiment has been carried out on the Cyphers' Incubators Company Farm, Elma, N.Y., this year. One lot of 64 chickens was placed in a colony brooder house, the floor of which was covered a foot thick with shredded alfalfa, in which chick feed was scattered and nothing else given. At the end of 6 weeks the 64 birds weighed 54 lbs. ; another lot was kept under like conditions except that the food was supplied daily in the usual manner. At the same age these birds only weighed 41 lbs. 9 ozs. This experiment had nothing to do with question of dry mash, but is given as suggestive in regard to the keeping of food always before the birds. So far as can at present be determined American ex- perience is in favour of dry mash hopper feeding combined with the giving of grain in litter. 75. Reasons for Dry Feeding. — In an address delivered before the Poultry Institute of Ontario, Canada, on March 6th, igo6, Mr. A. F. Hunter, of Abington, Mass., thus states the case in favour of dry and hopper feeding : " Each bird gets its fuU share. There is no wild scramble for the heaps of wet mash in the trough. A bird goes to the food hopper and eats two or three mouthfiils of the dry mash, taking time to turn over and properly moisten with saliva, and then turns away to search for other bits, as a seed or two, or a grain of wheat, or oats, or barley, or kernel of com (maize) ; there being 74 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. no frantic scramble for the feed hopper there is ample time for each bird to help herself to all she wants, and they all get their fuU share. The pith of the argument for dry feeding lies in that eating slowly, a bit at a time ; first a mouthful of dry mash, then a bit of grain, then to the drinking fountain for a sip of water. It does not take us long to discover that this is exactly the way the fowl or chick eats when running wild and finding its food bit by bit. It is nature's way for a bird to feed, and if we but do our part in supplying the essential food ele- ments so that the birds can take what they want and as they want it, the conditions seem to be right for them to eat in the natural way, and they wiU eat no more than they want, and eat it in the way their systems can best appropriate it." The saving of labour by this system is considerable. The hoppers, if large enough, only need to be filled up once a week, and it is enough to throw a supply of grain among the litter daily. Thus instead of having to feed twice a day once is enough, and in that respect labour is halved, which is an important considera- tion. It may, however, be mentioned that some Ameri- can egg farmers have adopted a system of feeding which has always seemed to us unnecessary, namely, feeding four times a day, and under those conditions dry feeding means an enormous saving in work. 76. Results. — It is believed that this method gives much better results than with those in use before. I was assured on one of the largest egg farms visited that the eggs from pullets reared and fed entirely on dry feed are larger than where wet mash is used. Another stated that his puUets grew more rapidly and came into profit earlier than he had ever been able to secure before. It is also claimed that fertility of eggs is higher and vigour or germs greater when the breeding stock is dry fed than where soft food is used, and that both chickens and adults are hardier. One of the breeders of soft roasters in Mas- sachusetts informed me that he could obtain larger birds in Systems of Feeding. 75 a given time under this system than in any other way, as the chickens grew steadily and evenly all the time. As against these may be placed the experiments carried out by Prof. Rice at Cornell University, wherein three lots of hens were tested, with (a) grain in litter and wet mash supplied once a day, (b) hopper fed dry mash and grain in litter, and (c) dry mash supplied twice a day and grain in litter. Of these the first lot gave the best results. Whilst recommending test of the system of hopper feeding of dry mash in combination with grain scattered in litter, the latter to compel exercise, to the attention of British Poultry Farmers, the question requires careful experiment ere I could advocate the entire abandonment of our present methods. But sufficient has been stated to show that it deserves our earnest attention. 77. Food Mixtures. — For the guidance of those who may desire to test this system I give the mixtures as used by some of the leading American breeders. Mr. L. H. Hallock, of the Woodlands Farm, lona, N.J., gives no grain at all, the entire feed being dry mash. For the first four weeks the chickens have constantly before them a mixture consisting of 100 lbs. Bran, 100 lbs. Thirds, 25 lbs. Indian Meal, and 5 per cent, of Beef scrap, similar to what we call Crissel ; after four weeks they have a mixture of 200 lbs. Bran, 100 lbs. Middlings, 100 lbs. Indian Meal, 10 lbs. Oil (Linseed) Meal, 50 lbs. Clover Meal, and 2 lbs. salt, which is continued until they reach maturity. The laying hens are fed on a mixture of 200 lbs. Bran, 100 lbs. Middlings, 100 lbs. Indian Meal, 50 lbs. Linseed Oil Meal, 100 lbs. gluten Meal, 100 lbs. Beef Scrap, 100 lbs. Clover Meal, 100 lbs. Ground Oats, and 4 lbs. salt. From the first and aU the time the birds have as much grit and oyster shell as they care to use, and are supplied with green rape, rye, wheat or oats according to the season. Mr. A. C. Brown, of the Lakewood Farm, N.J., uses similar foods, but varies them greatly, and is a firm believer in hulled and cropped oats. At another 76 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. place I learnt that the hopper feed consists of only Indian Meal, Bran, and Beef Scrap, given separately in a three division hopper. At the Maine Experiment Station some wet mash is given during the early stages of growth, but after three months it is supplied dry with whole grain in the litter. Mr. G. G. Tillinghast, of Vernon, Conn., feeds his chickens only on wheat screenings and beef scrap, with grit and green stuff, and the laying hens have the same, except that cracked Indian Com is thrown into the litter during the winter months, with whatever can be supplied in the way of vegetable food, roots and clover hay. A very interesting experiment to test this system was recently made at the Storrs' Agricultural College, Conn., Forty-four Rhode Island Red chickens were put in a Colony house. The first two weeks they had a ration of ordinary dry chick food, and after that nothing whatever but a hopper of wheat screenings, and whatever insects, worms, etc., they could pick upon a piece of meadow-land over which they ranged. No beef scrap was supplied in this case, but they were able to pick up a fair amount of natural food. The cockerels of this lot were killed for market when about thirteen weeks old and weighed an average of three and a half pounds. The first pullet's egg was found on September 8th, when they were just 4^ months old. In preparing foods for testing this system it is desirable to remember that the amount of natural food obtainable in the brooder house runs and Colony yards in America, due to the poor soil used generally and the large number of birds kept thereon, would be much less than in Britain. Upon this question we shall have to learn by experience, and, if the system is adopted, select such foods as are suited to our soil and climatic conditions. 78. Cost of Feeding. — In the Western sections, both of the United States and Canada, especially within the great com belts, food is abundant and cheap. These vast areas need not, however, concern us, as their Systems of Feeding. 77 distance from the consuming centres and the expense of transit, with loss of quality owing to the time occupied, more than balances any gain in that direction. In the Eastern States where the large rearing and laying plants are found, the cost of food differs very little from England, and even in the case of Indian com is not more than one or two shillings per quarter less than with us. Where labour has to be employed, its cost much exceeds what we should pay, and much more than turns the scale in our favour. From the evidence obtainable, I incline to the view that the dry mash and dry feeding system is more expensive than where soft food is employed, for in each case where figures were given me, except among the Rhode Island farmers, who, by the way, use wet mash, or " dough " as they call it, the cost was greater than with us in England. The lowest figures stated, with the exception just noted, was one dollar forty-five cents, which is just 6s. per annum, and in some cases it was is. to 2s. higher. This is, I believe, due to the fact that the absence of natural food, the small runs given to the fowls, and the heavy feeding, lead to the consumption of a greater amount of food supplied, instead of encourag- ing the birds to obtain as much as possible naturally, providing them with what is deficient. Hence the common idea of lower cost of production in America is erroneous. The experience in Rhode Island confirms this view. I was unable to obtain any definite infor- mation as to the cost of producing a chicken either to killing or laying age, such as we have available at home. 79. Water. — An excellent plan when fountains or water vessels are used was met with on several plants, both in the brooder and laying houses. A pit is dug in the ground, and on top is a piece of fine mesh wire netting or perforated zinc, fitted to a wooden frame about two feet square, on which the water vessel is placed. The drippings fall into the pit, and the birds do not walk' in a puddle, nor is the chaff around wetted. 78 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. VII. TABLE POULTRY. 80. Quality. — With one or two exceptions, to be afterwards noted, the average quality of chickens seen in the retail stores and on hotel tables both in the United States and Canada is distinctly below that found in Western Europe, but more the former than the latter. This result is partly due to the great consumption of broilers, which, however good they may be in some respects, lack the size and abundance of flesh found on heavier birds that have been fed up before killing. There is an abundance of larger fowls to be obtained, as with us, about equal in food value to our third and fourth rate poultry, and serving a most useful purpose, but I did not see anywhere specimens comparing with the best fowls seen on English, French or Belgian markets. If our methods of fattening have no other merit they certainly give a finish to the birds, fUling up the skin with fine, meUow flesh, which, as yet, has not been obtained in any other manner. This lack of finish is evident everywhere, more so in some American markets than in others. The absence detracts greatly from the appear- ance in the eyes of anyone accustomed to the fine chickens and fowls found in Europe, more than is the loss of weight and quality of flesh. For hundreds of years Europeans have been familiar with the finest fowls in the world, but it is not too much to say that America has not touched that side of the question. 81. Colour of Flesh and Skin. — To some extent these results are due to the fact that in the States yellow skinned birds are preferred to white, whereas the reverse prevails in Europe, where, with the exception of one or two districts, white fleshed fowls will always command the top prices. To anyone accustomed to the milk-white Table Poultry. 79 fowls of England and France, a yeUow bird looks inferior. The common idea in America is that yellow or creamy flesh is fuller in flavour, and as a consequence birds so distinguished command the higher rates. With this view we cannot agree, and regard it as altogether erro- neous. In our judgment a white-skinned and fleshed bird has a delicacy of flavour and a richness of meat unknown to one which is yeUow in these respects. But in the States the opposite opinion is held very strongly, although there are signs that a change is taking place, and that the European idea is finding a measure of acceptance. In Canada the preference is for white fleshed birds, probably owing to the large mmiber of British and French in that country, and to the fact that for some years the English market demands were kept in view. 82. Breeds. — The predilection in favour of yeUow flesh has controlled the class of fowls kept in the United States. For many years no race which had not this distinctive quality has attained any measure of popularity. Among imported breeds the Brahma and the Leghorn, both of which have been largely kept, more especially the latter, are evidences in proof. And all the made breeds which we place in the American class, as they originated in the country, such as the Dominique, the Pl5anouth Rock, the Wyandotte and the Rhode Island Red, are very yellow in flesh and skin. At one time I was inclined to the view that there must be special soil conditions favourable to the development of yellow in legs and skin, as is the case upon heavy land, which may have been the fact in the early days of their evolution, but such does not appear to be true now, for the greater part of American poultry are bred on lighter lands, at least in the eastern States, and its fixity can only be attributed to selection and breeding. In Canada large numbers of the American varieties are kept, probably more than any other, but the Buff-Orpingtons are rapidly advancing in 8o Report on the Poultry Industry in America. favour by reason of their white flesh and excellent meat qualities. Reverting to one of the breeds already mentioned, the Light Brahma, of which more is said below, it may be mentioned that these differ greatly from the English type, in that they have not been bred for feather, are not disfigured by heavy hocks and leg and foot feathers, and are better as layers aild in flesh properties, resembling the specimens seen in England forty years ago, ere the breed had been ruined by fanciers breeding to a useless and undesirable standard. 83. Grades of Chickens. — As already indicated, the broiler is a special feature of the American chicken trade. The term used designates a bird suitable for making what used to be called in England " spatch- cock," that is after the intestines are removed and the head, neck, and legs are cut off, it is split along the back and laid out flat with breast upwards. Cooking is generally by dropping into boiling fat in Europe, the finest method for young chickens, or, as in America, by cooking on a grill or front of the fire. From a valuable little work entitled " Broilers and Roasters," by Mr. J. H. Robinson,* the following is taken : " The market demand to-day is for broilers of three sizes : small broilers, large broilers, and squab broilers. The or- dinary smaU broilers — the size most in demand during the greater part of the year — weigh, when dressed, plucked, but undrawn, and with head and feet on, from 2 to 2^ pounds the pair. They may weigh less or more, but this is the desirable range of weights ; that is a pound to a pound and a-quarter apiece. The desirable average weights for large broilers are 3 to 34 pounds to the pair ; that is a pound and a-half to a pound and three-quarters apiece. They may go to two pounds or more each, but when the desirable weights are exceeded they wiU not, as a rule, bring as high prices per pound, so that there is seldom gain, and may often be loss, by marketing these larger chickens as broilers. Squab broilers have been in general demand for only a few years. They are smedl broUers weighing i^ to 2 pounds to the pair ; three-quarters *Fann Poultry, Boston, Mass., pp. 4-5. Table Poultry. 8i to one pound each. The demand for them is mostly confined to the latter half of the winter. The call for squab broilers seems to have begun with the willingness of caterers, who found it difi&cult to get suitable game for banquets and Hke occasions, to use broilers smaller than had previously been considered fit for the table, as a substitute for game." These squab broilers are the same as the petits poussins or milk chickens of Europe. What are called Philadelphia chickens are the larger type of broiler or birds a little heavier, and on some markets are in considerable demand for roasting. A special trade described below, chiefly in the Boston markets, is for what are called " soft roasters," by which is meant large birds, often capons, for which high prices are paid. AU these classes are produced in the Eastern States, and the birds are consumed when quite fresh. Beyond is the great mass of Western supplies, distinctly inferior in flesh qualities, due to the conditions under which the birds are reared, and the fact that this is almost entirely a cold storage trade. Of the grades named squab broilers are usually Leghorns ; small and large broilers, Wyandottes or Plymouth Rocks ; small roasters, Plymouth Rocks ; large roasters. Light Brahmas ; and Western chickens all sorts and conditions. None of these are fatted, as we understand the term, as cramming is regarded as unnecessary. 84. South Shore Roasters. — This trade, which has grown to its present proportions within the last ten years, has attained very large dimensions. Within five miles of West NorweU, Mass., scores of thousands are produced annually. Yet the demand has grown much more rapidly than the supply, for prices are well maintained, and, as shown later, are high. A remarkable feature is that it is not a farmer's business, but chiefly in the hands of spe- cialists, who devote themselves almost entirely to it, save that, in some cases, they grow fruit or other crops to sweeten the land. The poultry, however, are the profit-earning section of their work. I visited several of 82 Report on the Poultry Industry in America. these poultry farms, in company with a member of the firm of Curtis Bros., who buy from the growers the live birds, kill, pluck and market, acting as salesmen in Boston. They informed me that their annual overturn is $80,000. The members of the firm named were boot makers, but, driven out of that trade by big manu- facturing concerns, turned their attention to the poultry business, to which they have brought a keen commercial instinct. Others have made a similar change, and with evident success, for the signs of prosperity are apparent everywhere in a State where derelict farms are plentiful. One of these men, a carpenter, commenced breeding chickens as a side issue, but five years ago gave up wood working for poultry farming. This year he had by the time of my visit in June sold about 4,000 birds for $5,000 (£1,000). His labour bill had not exceeded $100 (£20), and the food consumed had cost $2,500 (£500), so that the profit after payment of other minor expenses was much greater than he could have hoped for in his former trade. He commences to hatch in August, going right through the winter, and all the birds are marketed by May. Another, Mr. H. D. Smith, of Crystal Springs Poultry Farm, Rockland, Mass., had been in a city business, but gave it up for poultry rearing. He started with a very modest capital twelve years ago, has succeeded so well that he has bought a farm of 40 acres, and, if that can be accepted as a proof of pros- perity, is able to maintain a motor car for his own pleasure. He makes a little money in other ways, as he is something of an engineer, but states that all he possesses is due to the poultry. He breeds about 6,000 chickens a year, and I found him busily engaged in the work of caponising. Another of the breeders in this district has this year hatched 5,000 chickens, of which by June he had sold 2,000. The money received for the latter, I was informed, has paid the cost of the entire lot, and he expected to clear at least $3,000 nett profit. These are fairly typical of the men whose industry and skill have made Bfl^^MIM^M 4 £ ^HH 1 ^^1 ^^9 i 1 '^^■SbBHHB^IJ^B^HH. i • -jfl li. ^ffJFmmlrMJBiiMB' 3 9 ^hrP ^^ ^^m^^H' ' ■ ^8 ll^n '" 1^ 5 -*-. ^ 1 1 H^l "'^PB^^-t^f 1 ^ ^ ^ ^ 1 ^'^^ ^^^%9^m|^H^^Hh9HB| i k^i_ iss^^^^^H^^^SH 4 « p^-^ si^iclRaHMiMBHlHIl ' ^^a ^S^^B^^^HH '. ■jilBft^ » '^SjPBHBIII i fa ^^1^ ~mH^HhI^^1^1 ^ f\ Las I 1^ ^^ , in Pheasants and Poultry. a ■S 2s. per Tin, post free, 2s. ii. Sample Tin, Ig. 3d. ■3 H*- ■^ For POULTRY, PIGEONS, and CAGE BIRDS. " I ^ANKii^i-i-i^Ki nil I r> ^ For POULTRY, PIGEONS, and CAGE BIRDS. ^ Above Preparations, la. per bottle; post free. Is. Id. ? 00 p. ROUP PILLS For POULTRY, PI I CONDITION PILLS ct I James Ghainberlm& Smith, GAME, POULTRY & DOG FOOD WAREHOUSE, EXCHANGE STREET, NORWICH. 126 Advertisements. OVU¥i ^1 THORLEY'S POULTRY SPICE. Fortlfles the CooB^ltatlon, Produces Abundance of Eggs, Enables the Birds to withstand Sudden Changes of Weather, and Assists the Birds through the Honlt. Ntri ^QLQ BY AGENTS IN ALL PARTS. Name of nearest Agent sent on application. Case, containing 72 Packets, 6s. Bags— 1 Cwt., 30s.; J-Cwt., 16s.; J-Cvt., Ss. Seven-Pound Bag by Parcels Post on receipt of Three Shillings by JOSEPH THORLET, Ltd., KINO'S CROSS, LONDON. XHniversitiP College, IReaMng. Courses of Instruction in Poultry-Keeping At the UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, READING, and COLLEGE POULTRY FARM, THEALE. CERTIFICATE IN AVICULTURE COURSE (One Year), Inclusive of Two Terms In General Agriculture. TERMINAL COURSE IN AVICULTURE (One Term). TWELVE WEEKS' COURSE. FIVE WEEKS' COURSE. PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION on the College Poultry Farm, Theale. Pull particulars are given In the Poultry Prospectus, which may be obtained, post free, from FKANCIS H. WRIGHT, Registrar, University College, Reading. Advertisements, 127 Standard Cyphers Incubators WHICH HAVE BECOME FAMOUS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 1906 PAnERN STANDARD CYPHERsV They give you satisfactory Hatches without constant attention. The " 6YPIIERS " is used fay the «ost experienced and expert operators o! Incubators in this and foreign lands, and have repeatedly declared their belief— based on conviction— that the genuine STANDARD CYPHERS INCUBATORS for past years have been the best hatching machines on the world's markets. WE GIVE A GUARANTEE WITH EVERY MACHINE. CYPHERS FOSTER-MOTHERS. THE CYPHERS STYLE "A" FOSTER-MOTHER is an individual outdoor brooding device that can be absolutely depended upon to do its work in n. satisfactory manner at all times. Many thousands of these Foster-Mothers have been sold during^he past seven years and are doing good work in practically all parts of the civilized world, SPECIAL ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, No. 17, Post Free. CYPHERS INCUBATOR CO., 119-125, Finsbury Payement, London, E.C. iLr-'^' 128 Adveftisemenis. RATS and MICE EXTERMINATED by the NEW METHOD. DISCONTINUE LAYING DOWN POISON. Use the " LIVERPOOL " YIRDS PBEPARBD BY THE INCORPORATED LIVERPOOL INSTITUTE OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY {SERUM DEPARTMENT). The "LIVERPOOL" VIRUS is a culture of the germs of a fatal disease peculiar to Rats and Mice, It is prepared under the supervision of the highest bacteriological experts, and has the following advantages over the numerous vermin killers on the market, the bases of which are generally strychnine, phosphorus or arsenic; — I. — The Rats do not die in their runs — therefore there is no obnoxious smell from the dead bodies, 2, — The Rats through eating the infected bread or corn acquire a contagious disease which is communicated by one to the other. 3, — The disease is fatal to Rats and Mice but harmless to every other form of animal life. PRICE- Yirus for Rats 2/6 \ Large Tubes, containing 6 times amount f PER of Virus ... ... 8/- i TUBE. Virus for Mice 1/6 ) Full Directions for Use are supplied with each tube. II'.B— If nfSLtia eLV& xsumex>ous tlie luARGES tube sbouLld be employed. SOLE WHOLESALE AGENTS— EVANS SONS LESCHER & WEBB, Ltd. LIVERPOOL AND LONDON. May be obtained from all Chemists, who, If they do not already stock, will be pleased to procure It fresh upon your giving the name— "LIVERPOOL" VIRUS and ours as the Sole Wholesale Agents. Aivertisements, 1 29 HEARSON'S INeUBHTORS. The CH&MPIOH INCUBATOR has been before the world over 25 years, and has achieved a reputation which eclipses all competitors. During the years 1904 and 1905 Hearson's Incubators were tested at the University College, Reading, with other hot-water and hot-air machines, the result being that each year Hearson's Incubators hatched the highest percentage of eggs recorded. BBWHRB &P WORTHLBSS IMITaTIONS. Hearson's Patent Hydrothermic Foster Mother, AN OUTDOOR REARER FOR CHICKENS. HEARSON'S PATENT CRAMMING MACHINE, For the Forced Feeding of Fowls, Turkeys, &c. Show Rooms-235, REGENT ST., LONDON, ENGLAND. WRITE FOR ILLUSTRATED PRICE LIST. SOLE AGENTS— SPBATT'S PATENT, Ltd., 24/26, Fenchnrch Street, LONDON, E.C. 130 A dvevtisements. Station— Barnt Oreen, H.K, Telegraphic JLddrau— •■ Oato, Blimlngham." HIGH HOUSE POULTRY FARM, LICKEY HILLS, BROMSGROVE, Pr-opnetop - H. ASHTON. Buy your Eggs for Hatching, your Chiokena for Bearing, and your Stock Birds for Breeding, from a reliable and up-to-date BREEDER. The Stock ia hardy and selected from high-class Utility and Exhibition Birds with a record laying Strain. BUFF OBPINGTON, SALMON FAVEEOLIjES, INDIAN GAME, SILVEE -WYANDOTTE, HOUDANS, AYLESBUEY DUCKS, BLACK MINOECAS. WHITE LEGHORNS. Mated with Imported American Cocks of Record Banner Laying Strain. WHITE WYANDOTTES. Anglo'American Hens mated with American Cocks of Record Laying Strain. SILVER GREY DORKINGS from the DUKES OF SUTHERLAND'S Strain Cockerels and Pullets, being bred from the NOTBD HEN which has a laying Record, viz., 230 Eggs in one season. Sittings of Eggs. Day-old Chicl