POULTRY THAT PAY A PROFIT. 



CHAPTER VII. 



C. E. CHAPMAN. 



THE keeping of hens has always been looked upon as a 

 side issue of a doubtful character, and rightly ,too, 

 when managed in the slipshod manner which is a 

 characteristic of the unsuccessful poultry-keeper. 

 On a farm of 75 acres it will be hardly possible to grow all 

 the supplies needed for 600 hens and the average family. 

 Probably 1,000 bushels of grain, all the skim-milk obtained 

 from six cows, and vegetable^food from several acres, will be 

 consumed by that number of hens. The business requires a 

 comparatively small amount of capital, and is a healthful and 

 pleasing occupation for persons of both sexes who are unable to 

 do heavy muscular work. A visit to the henneries of C. H. 

 Wyckoff, Groton, N. Y. , reveals the fact that it is also a business 

 which can be made to take the time of the quickest, smartest 

 and healthiest man alive, and reward him a hundredfold. 



As a "bit of history " which has a point to it may be inter- 

 esting, I will give a few facts in regard to the commencement 

 of this plant, which is now the most profitable one in this 

 country where eggs for table use only are sought. Six years 

 ago the farm was bought and dairying began. Capital was 

 scarce and the buildings poor. The profits the first year were 

 not enough to warrant expenditure ; and how were the cows to 

 be kept warm ? Eighteen Plymouth Rocks had wandered at 

 their own sweet will, ruining the garden and the owner's pa- 

 tience. He told the wife that the next season they should be 

 confined or sold. An earnest consultation with her resulted 



