POULTRY FARMING. 115 



years ago through the secretaries of the various 

 farmers' clubs. It was near Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, 

 the tenant having one acre and two roods of land, of which 

 the two roods were in fruit and vegetables ; and the run 

 beside of two acres of wood. A pig was kept, and fruit 

 trees were also planted in the runs into which the acre was 

 divided. The figures of profit and loss were not given us, 

 but the concern was said to "pay well," being looked after 

 by a mistress with twenty years' experience. The main fact 

 stated to us was, that the egg production from this holding 

 was 50,000 annually, nearly all sent to London direct to 

 private customers, with whom the tenant had gradually 

 made his market. 



A second small example of purely egg farming, re- 

 produced by Mr. Sutcliffe, and which was published in an 

 influential paper with name and address of the owner, is 

 instructive on aceount of its two years' figures, and the 

 lesson conveyed in the second year's especially. In 1894, 

 there were 320 first-cross hens "kept" for egg-production, 

 on a three- acre field with large houses near the centre, ^56 

 being invested. They were valued at 35. 6d. each, and 

 about qd. each per annum allowed for depreciation, with 

 ^9 2s. for rent and taxes. The food bill only came to 

 about 35. each per annum, which will certainly be too low 

 in general. This year's balance sheet allowed also nothing 

 for labour, but various incidentals are charged. The eggs 

 sold were 2,907 dozen, for ^"157 2s., and (with above low 

 food bill and no labour) the profit was given as ^74 35. 3d. 

 There were 34 deaths, which are duly charged at ^6, 

 beside the depreciation. 



The second year's work (1895) is peculiarly instructive. 

 This year there were 43 deaths (a high rate, and charged 

 ^7 i os.), rent and taxes are raised to ^14 8s. 6d., and 12 

 is added for labour on the three acres. But this year the 



