680 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Miss Mary Reed, of Amenia, N.Y., gives the following from her poultry account book : 

 Year ending March 31, 1877 eggs laid, 3,842; sold, 246| dozen at 23 cents, $52.84. 

 Fowls sold, 239 at 45^ cents, $109.56. Total income, $162.40. Total expense, $60.14. 

 Profit, $102.26. There were fifty-eight hens at the beginning of the year. Year ending 

 March 31, 1878, number of hens 60; eggs laid, 4,377; sold 317 dozen at 21 cents, 

 $66.59. Fowls sold, 171 at 42 cents, $72.72. Total income, $139.31. Expense, $37.15. 

 Profit, $102.16. The average number of hens 35^: average eggs per hen, 121. Net 

 profit per hen, $2.90. Year ending March 31, 1879, 54 hens; eggs laid, 4,269; sold, 

 29 If, dozen at 23| cents, $68.71. Fowls sold, 294 at 44 cents, $129.02. Total income, 

 $197.73. Expense, $40.82. Profit, $156.91. Year ending March 31, 1880, 65 hens; eggs 

 5,257; sold, 393 dozen at 22 cents, $88.45; fowls sold, 177 at 46f cents, $82.75. 

 Total income, $171.20; expense, $27.75; profit, $143.45. Year ending March 31, 1881, 64 

 hens; eggs laid, 5,566; sold, 423| dozen at 24 cents, $101.68; fowls sold, 139 at 42 

 cents, $58.98. Income, $160.66; expense, $32.60; profit, $128.06. Average number of 

 hens, % 48; 116 eggs each; profit per hen, $2.66. 



In stating what women have done in poultry raising, Fanny Fields gives the following 

 results from her observation and experience, which is certainly encouraging to farmer s wives 

 and daughters in attempting to make a profit with but comparatively little outlay in money 

 and, labor and realize at least a little &quot;pin money&quot; from the enterprise; besides the 

 occupation is pleasant and healthful, as it necessitates some exercise in the open air, and 

 which would not probably be taken, were it not for some specific object like this: 



&quot; Ten years ago a woman who lived in a large New England village was left a widow 

 with four children and a little less than $300 in money. Friends, after the fashion that 

 friends have at such times, advised her to put the children out, and perhaps she could support 

 herself by sewing or teaching; but like the plucky New England woman that she was, she 

 made answer: My children shall not be separated while I have health and strength to work 

 for them. She rented a house with a few acres of land adjoining, invested the greater part 

 of the $300 in poultry feed and fixtures, and went to work. The friends predicted a speedy 

 failure. Did she expect to support a family of five on the profits from a few chickens ? 

 Yes, I expect to do just that, she answered. When I was a girl I always managed the 

 poultry on father s farm, and as I made it pay then I see no reason why I cannot make it pay 

 now. 



You ll see, said the wise ones. It s our private opinion that you have thrown away 

 the little money that you had. Five dollars for a rooster! and eyes were rolled up and 

 heads shook over the shiftlessness of the woman who paid five dollars for a rooster. Last 

 winter we met this woman at a poultry show, and she told me of her success. She had 

 educated her children, paid for her little farm (worth $800), and had $300 in the bank. 



Another woman, whose husband fell from a building and was crippled for life, took up 

 poultry raising because it was the only thing she could do at home; that was thirteen years 

 ago, and to-day she owns a fine farm well stocked, and has money in bonds and in the bank. 



A young woman whose health failed in the close confinement of the school-room, went 

 to raising poultry because she was obliged to do something for a living, and because the 

 doctors advised mental rest and as much active out-door exercise as possible. In two years 

 her health was firmly re-established, but in the meantime she had found poultry keeping so 

 pleasant and profitable that she refused to teach again. She has been in the business five 

 years, and is earning a fortune as fast as ever a pair of woman s hands earned one. 



Last year the writer made a profit of almost $1,000 on a breeding stock of some two 

 hundred chickens, ducks, and turkeys. I don t publish this to boast over my success, but 

 to show other women what a woman can do under the most favorable circumstances. The 



