CHAPTER XVII.IN CONCLUSION
I have tried to explain in this little booklet that there is a splendid opportunity for one to engage in the poultry industry, whether it be on a large scale, or a small scale. There is considerable pleasure as well as profit in this work, for the one that is posted on a few of the essential principles, as has been laid down in this short treatise. It will probably be well to repeat a few facts that should be remembered first, however, before closing.
Do not expect to make a great amount ofmoney from your poultry the first year. Getting started right in the poultry business will cost something, so for the first year, if you just break even you will do well. Plan to learn as you go along. Every poultry raiser should take at least one poultry journal, to keep posted on the latest facts concerning the business. These journals always carry a great amount of advertising matter in regard to stock for breeding and in regard to poultry house equipment, etc. Many useful ideas can be secured from pretty near every issue of a standard paper.
Get acquainted with the other poultry people in your own locality. This is especially true in regard to those who have the same breed that you have. If your locality boasts of a poultry association, become a member of this association. You can then get much valuable information in regard to your business.
Get in touch with your state agricultural college, and especially with the poultry department. Write to them and ask them to send you all the bulletins that they have published on poultry, and tell them to place you on theirmailing list, so that any future bulletins that they may publish will be sent you free of charge. Then the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture has many excellent bulletins on different branches of the poultry industry that are worth sending for. It is located at Washington, D. C. Another splendid thing, if you can succeed in interesting others in your community, would be to send to the Motion Picture Lab., U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Wash., D. C., and have them send you their film on culling, entitled, “Select the Laying Hen.” It certainly brings out in a splendid manner, just how to cull your flock. Most any moving picture house would be glad to run this reel free of charge. The only expense of securing this film is the transportation charges from Washington, D. C., to your home town.
With these parting words on the betterment of your flock, remember that poultry work has its ups and downs, like any other business. However, for one willing to inform himself on the business, a very pleasurable and profitable experience may be anticipated.