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 
are 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.—Ior most persons starting with 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 
