Some Minor Rural Industries. 
291 
As examples of profitable industries, which might be 
advantageously extended in many rural districts and usefully 
introduced into others, some account is given in the following 
pages of the duck-fattening business on the one hand, and of 
the rearing and feeding of fowls on the other. A few notes 
on the results of certain experiments in poultry feeding are 
added. 
The Duck-fattening Industry. 
In the neighbourhood of Leighton Buzzard, on the border; 
of the counties of Bedford and Buckingham, one of the leading 
industries is the rearing and fattening of ducks. The business 
was formerly localised more in the direction of Aylesbury, but 
of late years it has extended towards Leighton Buzzard, which 
has become a convenient centre from which to acquire a know- 
ledge of the essential features of an occupation that is no doubt 
capable of profitable pursuit in other parts of the country. As 
will subsequently be seen, one of the chief points in favour of 
an extension of the industry is that it may be entered upon 
with very little capital, though as a set-off against this it should 
be observed that it is an employment which, to be followed 
successfully, demands a special exercise of patience and 
perseverance, as well as unflagging attention, on the part of 
those who devote themselves to it. 
The general principle underlying the business as it is 
carried on in the Leighton Buzzard district is that the breeding 
of the ducks is undertaken by people who are quite distinct 
from those engaged in the work of rearing and fattening the 
young birds. The eggs, in fact, are bought up from anybody — 
farmers, cottagers, and others — who may keep ducks and 
drakes. Whilst, therefore, the production of eggs is undertaken 
by many people, the hatching of the eggs and the rearing and 
fattening of the young ducks are in the hands of comparatively 
few persons, and it is these latter who may be regarded as 
specially engaged in the industry now under notice. Various 
methods are followed in the purchase of eggs. In some cases a 
duck-keeper contracts to deliver all his eggs to one purchaser 
at prices agreed upon. In other cases the duck-fattener buys 
eggs where and when he can, and makes the best bargain 
possible for himself. Whatever system be followed the result is 
that the people who have breeding ducks find a regular market 
for eggs amongst the fatteners, and these latter obtain their 
supplies from a considerable range of country. Hence, although 
the actual work of rearing and fattening may be in compara- 
