THE WAY TO START.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10361, 5 September 1922, Page 4

THE WAY TO START.

In poultry keeping a proper beginning means a lot; in fact, it may make all the difference between skocess and failure Should the new m<iD make the right start he will be satisfied with the results obtained, and will be likely to stay ia the business. Should he begin on wrong lines he is apt to become disheartened, and to drop poultry keeping. Now, which is the right way to begin. Well, after trying it in all sorts of ways, I am satisfied that the best method' of starting is to buy mated birds from a good breeder —the man who has a reputation to lose. The proverb that -honesty.is the best poluy" applies with special force to the poultry breeders who sell stock, and the top men recognise this fact ;-o the fullest extent, because they know that they will lose their business , should the birds they sell fail io give satisfaction. These men have, in most cases, sunk a lot of 'japiial in,- plant and slock, and are in. the game, not for fun, but for ke'eps. Over and above the moral asL ieot of the case the top men 'wouldn't be where they are if they aid not i:o ; .;seivs unusual knowledge and skill in regard to breeding matron?. By purchasing stock from tkeio breeders the new man not only is sure of a square deal, but he Is also purchasing tfieir brains—or in other words, by the outlay of a few pounds, be is able to begin with the quality which the roller acquired after years of hard work and experiment. What the beginner will do with the good birds after he has obtained them is-a matter with which the seller has no concern. He supplies a good piano, so -to speak, and . it is not his fault if the buyer can't or won't learn' to play it well. But as there is a bigger chance that good stock, however, badly treated, will perform better than bad stock, however well treated, it is wise to obtain the best. The new poultry man who buys mated stock from a reputable breeder is able to produce good bird'? right away, because of the fact that the,seller, knowing all about, the blood lines, will put birds together that he is sure, from, experience, will produce high-class slock.