124 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



for at least one year, and may not be overcome even 

 then. 



The chief part of Mr. Wilbur's stock are of a local breed 

 called Rhode Island Reds, somewhat smaller than Rocks, 

 with evident Cochin blood, and laying a brown egg ; the 

 usual prevailing colour is cinnamon and buff. It will be 

 seen that the birds are at perfect liberty to go from one 

 house to another ; but they seldom mix much, if any. This 

 is practically prevented by the method of renewing stock, 

 all the houses in one row being emptied and refilled at one 

 time, and the fowls shut in the houses for two days, and 

 then let out a little before night for their feed, so that they 

 return quickly to roost ; after that they are allowed liberty. 

 There are no cocks with them, as eggs only are wanted. 

 Besides his own eggs, Mr. Wilbur collects, and ships 

 altogether about 150,000 dozen yearly. He also raises and 

 collects and dresses poultry, keeps about 100 sheep, and 

 40 cows for raising veal. Every branch pays, and one man 

 has been in his employ forty : two years. 



The business of Messrs. Knapp Brothers, of Fabius, New 

 York State, has been carried on for many years. The 

 brothers were born on a farm where it was a struggle for 

 bare necessaries, and the eldest taught school to eke out the 

 produce of a small farm bought on credit, with a few cows 

 to make a start. They kept a few hens for their own 

 supply, like others ; but keeping strict account they found 

 the hens beat the cows, and that 23 had netted them a dollar 

 apiece in the year. Next year they increased to 35 hens ; 

 then they introduced Leghorns and kept 60, which brought 

 1 80 dollars gross cash. Next year to that they started with 

 200 hens. By this time they had really good stock, and 

 began to exhibit with success, and to advertise and sell prize 

 stock as well as market goods, selling ^100 worth (500 

 dollars) of prize stock and eggs their first season. Later 



