north. The very word, "returns" points to the fact that she 

 must RECEIVE first ! Let no breeder forget this. 



Even when she has given her returns in eggs, it yet remains 

 for her owner so to educate or to select his market that the cash 

 returns shall be of the best. This matter is one in which our 

 southern people should be especially interested, as they have the 

 best chance, on account of their climate. In March, 1910, a pro- 

 duce reporting paper gave 33J^ to 33 cents as the lowest price 

 for hens' eggs, reached up to the date of report, during that 

 season. On the same date it was reported that duck eggs were 

 beginning to move toward the New York market. They were 

 classed as "Baltimore" eggs, though some came from Tennessee 

 "and other western points." Baltimore duck eggs were reported 

 as bringing 43c. at the same time that hens' eggs were bringing^ 

 a cent or two more than one-half this price. When we have 

 actual market reports showing what is possible in the line of 

 returns from duck eggs, at least during a portion of the season, 

 we do not need to guess. Prices drop to "almost one-half" on 

 duck eggs, after Easter. But, if this one-half is even then equal 

 to the price of hens' eggs, none need complain very bitterly. 

 The market for duck eggs has to work itself out, but it seems 

 to be doing very well. And I think it may be expected to im- 

 prove steadily, once the Indian Runner eggs get a hold in city 

 markets. Ignorant old New York will get them after a little, 



and LEARN SOMETHING TO HER ADVANTAGE ! 



A mid-west breeder of Runners gives, as an ideal ration- 

 for any old ducks : mash made of wheat bran, corn meal, alfalfa 

 meal and beef scraps. He says that with dry housing and water 

 at night in all cases, the egg output is sure, regardless of climatic 

 or weather conditions. He likes corn, fed sparingly and intel- 

 ligently, and says that ducks "do not prefer an abrupt change, 

 preferring a constant 'one-thing' rather." He finds that ducks 

 trained to receive a grain-ration with the bulky food appear to- 



95 



