Money in Broilers and Squabs. 103 



was high. In 1892, 280 breeding ducks were kept, ten 600-egg in- 

 cubators used, 6000 ducks marketed, and $2000 cleared. In 1893, 

 350 breeding ducks were kept, ten 600-egg machines used, 6000 

 ducks marketed, and $2000 cleared. 



'In 1894, with the same number of breeding ducks and ma- 

 chines, 8000 ducklings were hatched 7000 marketed and nearly $3000 

 ;leared. In 1895, from 500 breeders, and 14 machines, 9500 ducklings 

 were marketed and $4000 cleared. Last season from 500 breeders 

 and 18 machines, 21,000 ducklings were hatched 19,000 sold and be- 

 tween $7000 to $8000 secured. 



"They have paid for the place, built a new dwelling house, and 

 spent $2000 on buildings and other improven/ents. Their farm now 

 represents an investment of $20,000, and they are free from debt. 



"During the height of this season they feed 14 tons of grain 

 per week. The requirements of 500 breeding ducks are five bushels 

 of grain and one barrel of turnips per day, beside green food. 



"They do not cook the feed, but mix it with the hot cooked 

 vegetables, so it is thoroughly warmed. They use a 6o-gallon and 

 a 30-gallon set kettle for boiling vegetables and heating water. The 

 feeding is done throughout the season by two men with the assis- 

 tance of two boys. In all 14 persons are employed on the place from 

 May until September. 



"The farming now done is mostly the raising of vegetables and 

 green crops for the ducks. The quantity of manure produced is 

 much greater than when 18 cows were kept, and the land, once 

 quite poor, now grows great crops. Where ducks are yarded, the 

 manure must be scraped off and removed, and rye or some other 

 crop grown each season to purify the land. They raise 500 bushels 

 turnips, the variety preferred being the yellow Swedish turnip, and 

 100 bushels carrots, as well as the rye and corn fodder. They use 

 200 head of cabbage during the season. 



"As it is the early ducks that pay the best they aim to secure 

 fertile eggs, having strong germs, early in the winter, and do excel 

 in this respect. 



"The old ducks do not usually lay much before February; so 

 young ducks are depended upon for early market production, the 

 mature old birds being used in the production of breeding stock. 

 While they are able to induce their young ducks to lay as early as 

 they wish, they cannot persuade the drakes to fulfill their part of 

 the programme much before New Year ; therefore young ducks are 

 not. encouraged to lay much before that time. They prefer for 

 breeders, ducks that weigh eight pounds and drakes that weigh 

 twelve pounds when mature. A thirteen-pound drake is too heavy. 

 They are selected in July from the April-hatched birds and only 

 from those that were raised from mature stock, yearlings or two 

 year-olds. They are chosen for depth of keel, size, weight and 

 plumpness. They are then put in large yards, where they have ac- 

 cess to grass pasturage and have much freedom and are fed more 

 growing food than is given those that are to be fatted for market. 

 This consists of equal carts of shorts, gluten feed and ground oats. 



