296 
Some Minor Rural Industries. 
in it practically clear out the whole of their stock every year. 
The turn-over is thus rapid, and as a very small capital would 
suffice to enter upon the industry on a moderate scale there does 
not seem, on the face of it, to be any reason why it should not 
be profitably extended to other districts. It is to be noted that 
around Leighton Buzzard nobody seems to depend upon it ex- 
clusively as a source of livelihood, as all who are engaged in the 
business have also some other occupation. Much of the work, 
perhaps most of it, can very well be left to women and girls ; 
the care of delicate young birds newly hatched, the preparation 
of the food, and the regular feeding of the ducklings do not in- 
volve heavy labour, and may well be entrusted to the female 
members of the household. Constant care, unwearying attention, 
scrupulous observance of details, and the maintenance of a healthy 
condition of the birds — these on the one hand, and a due develop- 
ment of the commercial instinct on the other, seem to be the 
factors necessary to command success. 
The disposal of the hens that have been used for hatching, 
the killing, plucking, apd packing of the ducklings for market, 
and the sale of the ducklings’ feathers are amongst the minor 
details of the business. The railway carriage to London for a 
package containing from four to a dozen ducklings is about 
Is. 2 d., and it is estimated that the charge upon each bird for 
carriage and commission is about 3d. If the price of fat duck- 
lings in June be taken as fairly representing the average for the 
season, this would come to about 3s. 3d. per bird all round. 
The gross return from a small business which marketed 1,000 
birds in the course of the season would thus amount to 162Z. 10s., 
especially if the return from feathers and worn-out hens be in- 
cluded. Deducting from this all charges for rent, food, plant, 
brood hens, and other contingent expenses, there should be left 
a fair margin to recoup the members of the duck-fattener’s 
family for their services, and to induce them to persevere in the 
business. From the fact that a considerable number of people 
are engaged in the industry, it may reasonably be inferred that 
it is lucrative, whilst the circumstance that it can be easily and 
conveniently dropped if desired at the end of any season is in 
reality another argument in favour of its extension. 
The Fowl-fattening Industry. 
In certain districts of Sussex and Surrey much attention 
has long been given to the rearing and fattening of chickens, 
especially in the neighbourhoods of Heathfield and Uckfield. 
At ope of the largest establishments as many as 6,000 chicken!? 
