60 MAKING A SUCCESSFUL START 



not be taken away. Then there is the danger of having to move 

 at any time, unless a lease is held. Even a long lease has dis- 

 advantages. A maximum profit cannot be realized except when 

 the farm itself is owned by the poultryman, enabling him to plan 

 his rotations and development with a definite scheme of growth 

 in mind. 



The investment in buildings should be limited to the economical 

 and safe housing of the live stock on the plant. The cost, varying 

 in different sections of the country, will depend on climatic con- 

 ditions and the cost of building material. Expensive buildings 

 a,re undesirable, requiring a large first investment and tying up 

 too much of the capital in the beginning. The interest on the 

 investment is an important item, and the cost of repairs is usually 

 much more. 



Any equipment, such as a windmill or engine, if in accord with 

 the size and character of the plant, has a definite economic value 

 in being a great labor saver and a constant source of indirect 

 revenue. An undercapitalization in equipment means a high 

 cost and limited amount of products, which will, of necessity, 

 greatly lower the profits. In choosing an equipment, durability 

 rather than first cost should be considered. In purchasing sup- 

 plies, such as incubators and brooders, the most satisfactory 

 results are generally realized by obtaining reliable, tested appa- 

 ratus, even though the first cost be greater. 



Labor. — The character and amount of labor must be governed 

 largely by local conditions, and it will always be found that this 

 factor usually decides, more than any other, the degree of success 

 in poultry endeavors. The average investor, if wise, will usually 

 start with his own labor only, and later increase the magnitude 

 of operations enough to warrant hiring outside help if considered 

 expedient. This way is slower but much surer. In all branches 

 of poultry work there is a great chance for brains to replace labor 

 to a large extent. The idea should always be to reduce labor to 

 the minimum by the use of such labor-saving devices as are effi- 

 cient and which do not tend to eliminate the personal factor. 



System for Beginners. — For most persons starting witii small 

 investments, either in capital or experience, the colony system, 

 wherein the birds are kept in small flocks scattered over consider- 

 able areas, will be the best and surest way. This requires the 

 smallest possible investment in fixed capital, and will give a maxi- 

 mum production with the least amount of scientific care and 



