ANSWER.--At about five months old, often at four and a half months old. At present, September 1st, we are getting some three dozen eggs per day from our young birds, and we are trying to hold them back all we can by light feeding. QUESTION 11.--Which will lay first, old or young birds? ANSWER.--Young birds will usually lay from two to three weeks before the old ones, but as the first eggs of the old birds are usually more fertile than eggs from the young ones, there is very little discrepancy in the result. QUESTION 12.--How many eggs will a Pekin duck lay in a season? ANSWER.--About one hundred and forty. Their fecundity is wonderful, excelling that of any other duck. We have birds in some yards with a record of one hundred and sixty-five eggs to each bird. QUESTION 13.--To what age is it profitable to keep a duck? ANSWER.--We have kept them till four years old with good results. If not forced they may be kept longer to advantage. QUESTION 14.--Is there a market for their eggs, and at what price? ANSWER.--Pekin duck eggs sell readily in market, as they are much larger than the other duck eggs. They command from five to ten cents per dozen more than hen's eggs. QUESTION 15.--How much does it cost to keep a duck each season? ANSWER.--From $1.75 to $2.00. They are gross feeders, of bulky food, but the greater number and value of the eggs in market over the average hen, makes the duck more profitable as an egg-producer than the hen. QUESTION 16.--At what season are the eggs of a duck most fertile? ANSWER.--During the months of February, March, April and May, though they are usually fertile with us during January, June, and even July. QUESTION 17.--What per cent. of the eggs will usually hatch? ANSWER.--That depends entirely upon how the mother-bird is cared for and fed. See formula for laying birds. QUESTION 18.--What is the average loss sustained in growing ducklings? ANSWER.--Not more than two per cent. with us, but it depends largely upon how the old birds are fed; how the eggs are incubated, and the young birds cared for. QUESTION 19.--How many birds can be safely kept in one brooder and one yard? ANSWER.--About one hundred, and as they grow older, unless the yards are of good size, a less number would grow and fat better. QUESTION 20.--At what age should the young birds be put upon the market? ANSWER.--When the prices are very high in the early spring we market them at about nine weeks old, when they will dress from ten to eleven pounds per pair. Later on, when prices are lower, we market them at ten to eleven weeks old, when they will dress from twelve to thirteen pounds per pair. QUESTION 21.--When and how do you select your breeding birds? ANSWER.--As soon as we can distinguish the quality and merits of the bird, and from our earliest hatches, as they always develop into larger and better birds. QUESTION 22.--How do you treat the young birds for breeding purposes?