DUCK DOLLARS II 
The third, fourth and fifth years were periods of steady progress, 
more ducklings being marketed each year. 
The brother Henry died in 1892, and the father in 1894. The farm 
was left to the mother with the three remaining boys to run it. Con- 
fident of their powers, and determined to make themselves a success, 
they went forward on ducks with renewed energy. The farm was 
doubled in size by the purchase of adjoining land, old buildings were torn 
down and new ones erected. More incubators were bought. 
From 1892 to 1895, in the hard times, the prices for the ducks fell 
off. In that period the importance of improving the size and breeding 
qualities of the stock was driven home to the Webers. 
It was found that a duckling weighing more than the RRR 
best in the market, ard looking better than the best in 7/%© 2” 
Fertility 
the market, got the top price from well-to-do buyers 
who have the best things for their tables, no matter whether times 
are good or bad. Ducks and drakes were selected for size and breed- 
ing qualities from the thousands raised, and only the very finest speci- 
mens kept to supply the eggs for the next crop. Before long the 
Webers had such fine stock that government department men, experi- 
ment station experts, poultry editors and artists, and poultry enthusiasts 
from everywhere visited the duck farm to see for themselves and tell 
about it. The Webers very cheerfully gave all the information to every- 
body. 
The first evidence that the Webers were prospering with ducks was 
shown in 1893, when the son William built a house opposite the old 
homestead with duck money (he had married two years 
before). David built for himself a house in 1900. He 
married in 1904. John was married in 1902, and the fol- 
lowing year moved into a new house. Aside from these three residences, 
duck buildings have been torn down and re-erected at a total cost of over 
$35,000. Just how much more duck profits have been saved an‘ banked is 
not known, but judging from the proportion which the average man’s 
expenditures for home and living bears to what-he puts away for a rainy 
day, the amount must be large. The farm and all the buildings are 
owned free and clear. The interest of the mother was bought out, and 
the three sons own everything. The residences are of modern con- 
struction, with hardwood floors, hot-water heating, hot and cold water 
and conveniences, including acetylene lighting for one of the residences 
from a private plant, and a water system of their own. The families 
have an automobile, they travel in their holidays, have a hunting camp 
down in Maine, and various fads and pastimes more or less expensive, 
and generally indulge themselves and their children like the average 
well-to-do American families. The mother lives with the son David, 
and the old farmhouse is now a boarding and lodging house for the help, 
run by a housekeeper. In May, 1911, the oldest brother, William, 
retired .with a competency from the firm, selling out his interest and 
moving with his family to Illinois, where his wife’s relatives live. He is 
there breeding a few ducklings for pastime only. 
These successful men smile now as they recall the time when they 
Tangible 
Prosperity 
