Journal of Agriculture. [8 Jan., 1907, 



The manure alone is of considerable value to his orchard, and should 

 find a place in the balance-sheet of every farmer. Its value is of the 

 highest order, the more so on account of the manner in which the ducks 

 are fed — i.e., on a highly nitrogenous ration, which is the only one to 

 produce eggs in abundance. Ducks, like fowls, must have the raw material, 

 by which they can convert one form of food into another, viz., eggs or 

 flesh. Even with green food, the best was used right through — i.e., 

 lucerne chaff, purchased by the cwt. from Bacchus Marsh; this fodder 

 is of double value to any other grass, being so rich in proteids. Pollard, 

 bran, and dry blood (best obtainable), with a handful of salt, two or three 

 times a week, was the principal food given ; and in extreme cold weather 

 a handful of maize was fed midday. Ducks, like fowls, must be given 

 more than a mere subsistence ration if we expect them to return us any 

 product over and above maintaining simply an existence. This has been 

 Mr. Grant's experience, and scores of others who have put into practice the 

 lessons taught at the short-course classes to farmers and their sons and 

 daughters. 



If eggs are desired, an excess of proteids must be fed ; a duck or fowl 

 should no more be fed on wheat alone than a man on bread alone. The 

 universal need of a mixed diet is applicable to the ducks or fowls as well 

 as CO those in whose care and keeping they are. For example, in J oz. 

 of wheat there are, roughly speaking, six one-hundredths of an ounce of 

 protein, but an egg contains 5 oz. of protein. Under these conditions, there 

 is then available for each day only one-fourth of the protein required for 

 each egg. Then, as to the other constituents, the | oz. of wheat referred 

 to contains one and a half as much carbohydrates and fat as the egg con- 

 tains. In short, the hen or duck is supplied with enough carbohydrates to 

 make an egg and a half a day ; but, mark you, she has only enough protein 

 to make one single egg in four days. Wheat and maize are therefore one- 

 sided rations, the latter especially so, being much too rich in fats, and as 

 a consequence predisposes the hen or duck to lay on internal fats. No 

 grain by itself can produce eggs ; hence the great necessity to feed ducks 

 and fowls on a mixed diet, or a properly balanced ration, as I have de- 

 scribed to students at the agricultural classes, and which Mr. Grant and 

 others have amply proved bv actual test. Even in cold Drouin poultry- 

 farming will add materially to the farmer's and fruit-grower's income. It 

 requires intelligence and a thoughtful overseer, and success will follow the 

 enterprise. 



Mr. Grant, in his letter to me, say^s, " I am satisfied poultry-farming 

 pays when treated properly." Each day the eggs are gathered, graded, and 

 at once packed in special divisional boxes. The boxes are forwarded direct 

 to the agent, and returned empty ; scarcely any breakages occurred through- 

 out the season. Another element in the success achieved by Mr. Grant 

 is the fact that he sticks to one agent, which creates mutual confidence, 

 and results in top prices being obtained. 



