Trap-nest poultry house. An early invention of Chas. Weeks. Now discarded. 



All my time and thought were concentrated on this problem. The 

 most important truth learned in thess first five years experience was 

 that green feed was absolutely necessary to profitable egg production. 

 At those seasons of the year when I had sufficient greens my hens laid 

 and paid well. My problem was to have green every day in the year, 

 and I soon saw that here in California we could have greens all the 

 time if we had cheap water for irrigation. If I had plenty of water for 

 irrigation, I could grow the most luxuriant greens and arrange to have 

 plenty the year through. So I had two problems confronting me. 

 One of eliminating the detail in small house systems and one of securing 

 plenty of water for irrigating. There was only one way of securing 

 cheap water in quantities, and that was to move on some place that 

 had water in abundance. If I would get eggs the year around, I must 

 give my hens Spring-time conditions. To do this in California 

 requires water. 



During these first five years I also learned how to dress and retail 

 poultry direct to customer. I tried all kinds of fattening coops and all 

 breeds of poultry for market. The larger breeds were better for 

 roasting, but the white Leghorn was best for broilers and eggs. 



In this first five years experience with poultry in California I had 

 learned several truths that were destined to add to my success in after 

 years. I learned that one must learn to use the hands on a poultry 

 ranch, and learn to use them skillfully and swiftly. Also that these 

 hands require a good head to manage them with the least loss of motion. 



To be able to turn off a big day's work with the hands with the 

 least wear is a fine accomplishment. Also that it requires as much 

 brain work as any other business and that this is one of the strongest 

 inducements for the poultry business, for it gives the opportunity 

 for wide development. 



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