KEEPING GOOD STOCK A PUBLIC DUTY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 335, 19 January 1889, Page 4

KEEPING GOOD STOCK A PUBLIC DUTY.

There are local fashions of various kinds in rural neighbourhoods, says a writer on poultry matters. The town may be all the ' world to a man ; and the rule with many is to be as well ofFas the neighbours. If all are used to riding in an open buggy, that vehicle is good enough ; but let the fashion of polished top carriages get smarted, and how soon the sidespring buggy becomes intolerable, hard to ride in and destructive to clothes. The introduction of a fine breed of poultry into a town or village, at first attracts attention, and almost invariably leads to farther increase of fancy poultry on other farms. One man furnishes an example ; he raises chickens and sells some of them at marvellous pi ices, and this causes a sort of contagion, sometimes called the km fever. Was there ever an instance where a change having been effected from common fowls to the improved breeds, any- s body touud fault in consequence, or proved it co be a misfortune ? People may obtain thoroughbred fowls just for the novelty of it : but any man so doing will soon be' apt to buy poultry books and magazines, read about the subject, and thus inerea&e his knowledge and interest. And it is a good thing to be said that- knowledge does, not abate one's zeal in favour of thoroughbred stock. If the "hen fever" brings comfort and satisfaction on its wings, then let it spread. It is a good indication of improvement of taste and judgment when people begin to ridicule the "old plugs," and when it becomes the fashion to keep fine fcwls instead of mongrels. If every man is his brother's keeper in some degree, it may be well to a&k the question, " How far am I guilty for the prevalence of mean old horses throughout this neighbourhood? Am I reprehensible for not betting a good example here by the introduction of Light Brahmas, Leghorns, Houdans -or Langshans ? Do my neighbours infer that I have a contempt for such thitigs ?" It is not the intention of the writer to' harrow up a tender conscience by such questions. Bub there should be a warning against the fault of hindering others in the march of improve-ment-by a negative example. The example of every man has an influence, even in the owneifehip of fine horses, good cattle and thoroughbred fowl?.