I do not hesitate to say that one of two things was back of this : 

 either the stock was run-down, weak show stock or close-yarded 

 till it was worthless, or else the ducks had no decent care. 



Again I say: Whether the genuine Indian Runner of the 

 best type will make good or not no longer enters into the question 

 of the future of the breed here at all ; she will absolutely do her 

 part. That is proved. The only thing that does enter as a real 

 question is whether or not growers have sufficient business ability 

 to make a market for the eggs as table eggs. The Runner will 

 furnish at least three varieties of fancy ducks; her "difference," 

 her distinction ensure that. But, if, as a farm duck, she is to 

 make good, people must be able to sell the eggs. If James Ran- 

 kin was able to push a duck not at all wanted into the market, 

 and to create such a demand that these birds sold by the tens of 

 thousands in individual growers' hands, are we willing to admit 

 that we cannot make a market for a product in such infinitely 

 greater demand, viz., large white eggs? I affirm that, if this 

 matter does not work out as we would like, it will he our fault, 

 not that of the Indian Runner! 



Every day adds to the possibihties. The morning mail, one 

 November day, — the day before the 2nd edition of the Indian 

 Runner Duck Book went to press, — ^brought me the news that the 

 big Chicago show would receive the English Runners and the 

 white Runners on the same terms with the American Standard 

 type. For this immediate outcome along the line of justice, we 

 have to thank especially Mr. Theo. Hewes, the Secretary. 



There is really no limit, as things promise at present, to the 

 helpful future of the Indian Runner. The south has been ship- 

 ping a few duck eggs in late winter, the best being scheduled as 

 "Baltimore eggs," at wonderfully good prices. She would be 

 missing the greatest new, farm opportunity that has ever been 

 offered her did she not add the Indian Runner to her helpers, and 

 send more duck eggs through the channel already open. She 

 sees it, I know, for inquiries from the south multiply ! 



150 



