The History of the Hen Fever. A Humorous Record

A humorous chronicle of a widespread poultry craze that traces how amateur breeders, exhibitions, and speculative promoters created and exploited fads in fancy birds. The author blends first-person anecdotes, practical descriptions of shows and breed-making, and satirical portraits of promoters, confidence men, and advertisers. Chapters examine the mechanics of hype, commercial tricks, and the social spectacle of fowl shows, following the mania from early signs through peak excesses to its eventual collapse and recovery, with wry commentary on human credulity and fashionable enthusiasms.