bought of you) commenced to lay about middle of September. 

 About that time, I left for a three weeks' trip, and for want of 

 beef scrap, in my absence they quit. I got them going again 

 about the end of October, my first recorded sale being 34th Oct., 

 and by Jan. 1, they laid a little over 2100 eggs, or say 35 apiece. 

 These eggs sold practically in Washington market for same price 

 as hens' eggs, and I received just about $1.00 per duck. At this 

 date (Jan. 17) I get some 10 eggs from 60 old ducks. My 30 

 young ducks started about a month ago, and I get now some 18 

 eggs a day. Now, mind you, I don't feed as I should for winter 

 eggs. My young ducks are in about an acre lot and get only the 

 green food there along the stream. I have supplied none in their 

 feed and sowed none for them, such as rye, etc. The old flock 

 is supposed to be on range, but as a matter of fact don't range 

 much and they too only get what they find, in green food. I 

 have had the Runners since summer of 1907. They have always 

 laid for me until stopped by very severe weather in winter, sav 

 up to 15th of Jan., and start again about 15th Feb. And then 

 too, when their eggs freeze and green food gets scarce I don't 

 trouble myself to encourage laying, as I fear if they laid too well 

 in winter I would not get eggs for my trade. You see, I have kept 

 hens and ducks together for now some six years, and expect I have 

 more experience than almost any one you could find in handling, 

 in what you might call a farmer's way, the Indian Runner. There 

 is absolutely no question that she is a farmers' bird. As far as 

 eggs go, a dozen Leghorns and as many Runners would give the 

 average family more than they could use, and they settle the 

 problem of fall eggs. They certainly will lay most of the winter 

 in this section." 



While this report is not so surprising in numbers produced 

 as some have been, it is the one report which I value most among 

 all that have come to me. Its writer is a man of unusual integ- 

 rity of conscience and of performance, and he has kept hens and 



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