One hundred years ago
Poultry Chit-Chat. By 'Major B.' (Eyre and Spottiswoode.) — This volume — which might, by-the-way, have been of a more handy shape — contains the outline of the writer's practical experi- ence. It is an enlarged edition of a pamphlet entitled 'Poultry at a Glance', and discusses various matters interest- ing to the poultry-keeper, among them the crucial question, — 'Do poultry pay?' The answer is mit by any means so easy or obvious as those think who are always indignantly asking, — 'Why do we import so many millions of eggs from France?' The fact is, that eggs, unless they are of a fancy breed, cannot be sold for a remunerative price, — remunerative, i.e., if you have to buy food and pay labour. But if you feed fowls as much as possible on the scraps of a considerable household, properly dealt with, and attend to them yourself or by means of some unpaid helper, they will pay, unless, indeed, you have bad luck. But you will not make your fortune. 'Major B.'s book may be re- commended as sound and sensible.
The Spectator, 9 March 1889
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