While going the rounds of Boston market one pleasant June day, shortly
after our experience with the Aylesburys, we noticed some fine young
birds nicely dressed, that had evidently snow-white plumage. As this was
before the advent of iced poultry, we supposed the birds had come from
the regions of the far South, and our curiosity was excited. We
interviewed the dealer and was surprised to learn that the birds were
grown to the north of us, and that they were the Pekin ducks we had
heard of for a year or two, but had taken no stock in. Yet here they
were in the market, while ours were toddling about at home less than
half grown. Here was a revelation. We procured some eggs of this party,
at once, and in due time hatched out sixty lively young ducklings. They
were tended with the utmost care and not one was lost. We were very much
interested in these little fellows, they were so hardy, and you could
fairly see them grow. It occurred to me at this time to try and
experiment with these ducklings, keep a correct account of all food
consumed by them, and ascertain what they cost per pound when ready for
market. The average weight was taken from the rejected drakes which we
did not need for breeding purposes, and which were culled out and sent
to market at ten weeks old. We were very much surprised to find the
cost to us (exclusive of the cost of eggs) was about 4-3/4 cents per
pound. We could hardly credit our own eyes. The calculation was made
again and again with the same result. The same calculation was made a
year later on two yards of some three hundred ducklings with a result
obtained, when ready for market, of 5-1/4 cents per pound, including
cost of eggs.
[Illustration: AYLESBURY DUCKS.]
As I had long since left the paternal abode, and for years had ceased to
superintend the establishments of others, and as the following
experience will be entirely my own, I shall hereafter use the personal
"I". It is needless to say that the figures arrived at from the
calculations made of those ducks were startling. What! can I grow ducks
in three months as cheaply as I can grow pork in a year, or beef in two
years, and then get six times as much per pound for it after it is
grown? Yes, if figures tell the truth. Can I afford longer to grow large
crops of fruit and vegetables, working early and late, risking frosts
and drouths, making a bare livelihood, when with one-tenth part of the
labor and capital involved I can grow a crop which drouths and frosts do
not injure, and make five times as much? No! I have not had a hog on my
farm since I kept a Kemp's spreader to work over the manure, and simply
grow fruit and vegetables enough for feathered thieves and home
consumption. Another question arose: "What shall I do with my cows?"
some sixteen or eighteen in number, bull, young stock, etc.
My Farm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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