can be sold very cheaply, as the fowls are fed almost entirely on waste and allowed at night to stay under any shelter which is most convenient. The Russian government has made several endeavors to aid the industry, but is hindered by the ignorance of a large mass of the population.

In European countries, as a rule, the mass of the production is upon small farms and from small flocks. The greatest advance has been attained in sections where the producers have coöperated in securing better market conditions and better methods of shipping and marketing, and where there has been a steady and conscientious attempt to improve both the stock and methods of management. The one great fact which the United States should learn and make use of from these countries is the necessity, if the best results are to be attained, of immediate steps toward systematic organization and coöperation, to see that the producer receives adequate returns for his products.

REVIEW.

1. What is meant by the term poultry farming?

2. Give the number and value of poultry in the United States in 1910. 3. Give the percentage increase in numbers and production during the preceding ten years.

4. Where is the greatest egg producing section of the United States?

5. Describe the method of poultry farming in the Petaluma district, Cal.

6. Describe the method of poultry farming in the Vineland district, N. J. 7. For what is the Little Compton district famous?

8. For what is the South Shore district famous?

9. Name five modern developments which have revolutionized the poultry industry.

10. In what respect is poultry farming a diversified industry?

11. What are the opportunities of the poultry farmer?

12. Discuss the poultry fancier and his business.

13. Is poultry keeping suitable as an investment? If not, why?

14. What are the possibilities in the field of poultry labor?

15. Enumerate the various separate poultry industries.

16. Name and discuss the advantages of poultry keeping.

17. What are the possible disadvantages?

18. What do you consider a reasonable profit from poultry?

19. Why must one know his actual profits?

20. Give a brief review of poultry keeping in the leading European countries.

References. The Twelfth and Thirteenth Census of the United States: Agriculture, "Distribution and Magnitude of the Poultry and Egg Industry," by G. F. Thompson, U. S. Bureau of Animal Industry, Report, 1902.

CHAPTER II.

CHOOSING A POULTRY FARM.

THE farm is not only the place of business of the poultryman, but it is his home as well; hence special care should be given to the selection and development of the particular piece of land which is to make his home, and upon which he is to develop his business. The development of the æsthetic side of life, including many of the so-called enjoyments, is essential to happiness. A well-kept and attractive home, including fruit, flowers, and lawns, all go to make life in the country more enjoyable.

The prospective purchaser can consider these matters and the matters which are hereafter discussed with reference to location when picking out his site, but the poultry farmer already owning his place must consider these questions from the standpoint of improving his conditions as they exist.

Two Points of View.-In choosing the location for the poultry farm and in developing the particular piece of land selected, two leading ideas should be considered: First, conditions and surroundings as they will affect the poultryman and his family, such, for example, as the social, moral, and religious development of the community, and also conditions which will help toward the education of his children. This group of considerations might be considered as factors of location determining the desirability of the particular place for the proper development of home life.

The second group of factors deals with conditions as they are suited for the proper development of his business, and these factors will naturally group themselves into three divisions; namely, factors affecting production which have to do with the laying out and planning of the plant, and environmental conditions as they affect the birds' health, etc. The second group of factors affecting the business will be those incurred in connection with the distribution or the conditions controlling the delivery and receipt. of products sold and purchased. The third group of factors might be termed "Demand and Consumption." Such factors as markets, character of products desired, and amount and distribution of products demanded, must fall in this class.

With these two viewpoints in mind, the problem of selecting

the farm, and developing the farm already owned, becomes a vital question, and should receive close and careful consideration.

The Farm as a Home.-When considering the location with reference to the home life and associations of the community, the following factors should be considered: First, social life of the community; second, the educational facilities; and, third, the moral and religious life of the community. All of the above factors have a direct bearing upon the mode of living and upon family associations.

The Community Socially.-Life in rural communities in years past has been more or less of an isolated existence, but with the development of better means of communication and transportation the possibility for social development and personal intercourse among farmers has developed rapidly, and the farmer and his family have ceased to become a unit for social and educational development which formerly was the case. This possibility of a greater social development has emphasized the importance, when choosing a farm, for the poultryman to investigate carefully the social possibilities of the community and for him to be sure, at least, that they will be on an equality with the conditions to which he has been accustomed, and of a standard which he would like to maintain.

Personality of Prospective Neighbors.-In the country, neighborly interest and intercourse are much more developed than in the urban communities, and hence it behooves the purchaser, when deciding upon the community in which to locate, to study the habits and customs of his prospective neighbors, to investigate their mode and standard of living, and to see whether they will be the means of maintaining his own standards of living, rather than lowering them. Pleasant, kindly neighbors add much to the pleasure of living in the country, which at the best is quiet and somewhat isolated. A study of land tenure is also desirable, for the presence of farmers operating their own farms in a community usually means much more progressive agriculture than where tenants naturally predominate. "Neighbors signify much more in country life than in city life."

Social Organizations.-The development of social organizations of different natures has been very rapid in agricultural communities during the past few years, and the poultryman, in choosing his location, can measure to a considerable extent the personality and intellectual development of the community by

noticing the presence of some of the following institutions: The Grange is an organization for social and educational development, and in choosing the location the presence of a Grange in a community is a desirable advantage. The location of a public or town library where the family can secure up-to-date reading matter at small cost is another desirable asset. Country socials held at frequent intervals and pointing toward desirable agricultural efforts, show a proper spirit of coöperation and neighborliness which means much toward increasing community interest. Organizations which provide lectures at frequent intervals on popular agricultural subjects exist in many communities, and are a strong factor for the agricultural development of that particular section. The building up of agricultural institutions and the development of agricultural organizations of various kinds, such as breeding associations, milk-testing associations, educational poultry associations, and poultry show associations, all offer greater social opportunities. They serve as

an indication of the intellectual attainments of the farmers, and they may be taken, also, as a measure of the success which is crowning the efforts of the farmers in a given district.

Social Facilities. - The poultryman's first duty should Trolley lines are near many poultry plants.

FIG. 30.-Rural trolley express, a convenient means of markeung poultry products.

be to his home, and especially his children, and in choosing

the location the presence of good rural schools should be carefully looked into. The general tendency in rural schools is toward con-. solidation, and hence close proximity to a consolidated school means progressive education of practically as high a degree of efficiency as can be obtained in urban centres. In such centres the boys and girls usually organize agricultural clubs with various aims and objects, such as boys' and girls' poultry clubs and corn clubs. In such consolidated school districts the intellectual development of instructors is materially higher than in the isolated district, where the small district or rural school is the only educational centre. The close proximity to higher institutions of learning is a material asset, but not always necessary. The influence of such institutions on a community is very material, and often worth considering when deciding between two locations.

Medical Attendance.-In case of sickness, proper facilities for securing medical aid is a valuable asset. The cost of such attendance is reduced, promptness and quickness are insured, and the quality of such service should receive careful consideration.

The Community Morally.-A high moral development means a high standard of living, and is usually found where social and educational facilities are best.

Distance from Undesirable Institutions.-When choosing a location for the poultry farm, places which are considerable distances from saloons, low-class hotels, and gambling houses are especially desirable. The element which is associated with such undesirable institutions can not but materially lower the community in which they exist. This disadvantage may be apparent in the social or moral attitude of the community, in decrease in land values, or it may be apparent in name only; in either case their presence is exceptionally undesirable.

Church Facilities.-The location of an active, thriving church in the immediate vicinity of the location selected is an advantage. Such a church is usually a community centre. The average country community which does not have church facilities will be found to be on the decadence in nearly every respect, whereas the church centre in the community materially increases the character of the community which it serves. Within such a community religious centres are formed, men's clubs are affiliated with the church, and boys' and girls' clubs are common. These factors are an important consideration from the standpoint of country life interest and general business success.

The Farm as a Business Investment. The land purchased for a poultry farm should be looked upon as a fixed capital or as something having a purchasing value, and upon its desirability largely depends the success of the enterprise. The farm itself largely determines the condition of environment and the surroundings to which the birds are subjected. A proper environment may be termed one of the most important corner-stones to successful management. Production is largely influenced by the condition of soil, drainage, climate, etc. When considering the farm as a business enterprise, three problems appear: First, the conditions of location as affecting production; second, the effect of location upon distribution; and, third, available markets and the character of the products demanded.