Poultry that Pay a Profit. 57 



in their being retained and confined to a house and yard ; and a 

 record of the eggs sold and food consumed showed a profit of 

 75 cents per hen. Becoming satisfied that White Leghorns 

 would give him better results, he secured good specimens of 

 that breed and began breeding them systematically for in- 

 creased egg-production, until he has now 600 layers. Mr. 

 Wyckoff cares little for fancy poultry. He is in the business 

 for the dollars, and the following record shows they are there : 



Hens, average number , 600 



Eggs each, average , 168 



Price per doz., average 21 J4 cents. 



Eggs.net $1,80000 



Stock sold 7000 



Manure, at 20 cents per bushel 270 oo 



$2,140 oo 



Cost of feed $660 oo 



Labor, 12 months at $30 360 oo 



Interest, 5 per cent, on $1,000 5000 



Net profit i ,070 oo 



$2,140 oo 



A business that pays $30 a month and 105 per cent, interest 

 on the investment can not be called a side issue. There is no 

 "patent" on the means to success. Only the carefulness, 

 regularity and thought necessary for success in other branches 

 are required. Mr. Wyckoff is quiet in manner, and a stranger 

 who wished to go through the buildings would be invited to 

 discard any red scarf or other bright-colored clothing, and re- 

 quested to move very carefully. Why ? It has been proved that 

 any unusual excitement affects the number of eggs laid the next 

 day a loss of 25 eggs at three cents each is too much. He 

 is also a close observer, frequently weighing some of the flock, 

 and noting their condition ; it being essential that the hen shall 

 be kept in the "pink of condition " for the highest profit. 

 Everything is kept clean, and all possible wants of the hen are 

 regularly supplied, so that she will not be delayed by want of 

 any egg-element. Due regard to sanitary conditions, proper 



