8 BULLETIN 602, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the mill owners probably would be required to bring about the 

 more general growing of peaches and small fruits in the villages. 



POULTRY. 



A large number of the families in these villages keep small flocks 

 of poultry. Very little pure-bred stock was found, most of the flocks 

 consisting of mixed breeds. The poultry houses were of a very tem- 

 porary type, and inexpensive. 



The average size of the 165 flocks from which records were taken 

 was 13.2 fowls. The number of eggs used and sold averaged 

 86 dozen, valued at $19.35, and the number of fowls used and 

 sold was 36, valued at $11.07, giving a total income of $30.42 

 per flock. The average expenditure for eggs, fowls, and wire 

 bought was $1.16, and that for feed was $15.06, making a total 

 expenditure of $16.22. The net return for these flocks thus was 

 $14.20, or $1.08 per fowl. Labor cost and interest on investment in 

 buildings and fowls are not charged against the flock. The labor 

 was performed by the family, and the interest on the investment is 

 negligible. The feed bought consists largely of cracked corn and 

 other cereals. It is bought ready mixed, in peck and bushel lots. 

 Table scraps are generally fed to the poultry, which reduces the feed 

 bill. The value of the family table scraps is not included in the feed 

 cost. Feeding to the poultry is a very economical way of disposing 

 of the table wastes. Twelve flocks were fed wholly on table. and gar- 

 den wastes. 



The flocks are penned the greater part of the year to keep them 

 from running on the gardens. Thus, unlike the average farm flock, 

 they are not able to find any of their fe6d. 



The family in these villages which keeps a small flock of good 



fowls, feeds them carefully, and keeps them fenced in finds them 



profitable. 



PIGS. 



In most of the mill towns pigs are not allowed within the village 

 proper for sanitary reasons. Some families have the pen located just 

 outside the village and the necessity of carrying the feed a long dis- 

 tance is a discouraging factor. 



Records were taken of 62 hogs that had been fattened. The aver- 

 age purchase price of the pigs was $6.34, and the average live weight 

 at killing time 270 pounds— worth $24.30 at $0.09 a pound. The 

 cost of feed amounted to $12.12, leaving a net return of $5.84 after 

 deducting the purchase price. 



The feed bought consisted largely of shorts, corn, mill feed, kitchen 

 scraps bought from neighbors, and a little buttermilk. The money 



