Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-04-24

EditOr Of The PhGRir In your issues
Of Feb. 27lb and April 10th you evidently in
tend to discourage the raising Of fowls and
eggs for market rs an occupation, because las
you claim Of the present over production
and low price Of eggs, as compared with the
small number of hen-millionsires, and boldly
charge us hen men with having the hen fever,
hen craze and hen epidemic Thanks for
the titles, Mr.. Editor. l am sure brothers
Wales, Waite and Miller will take to pet
names very good-naturedly, after considering
whom they come from My word for IT, you
wouldn't worry US any should you cali us
Chicken hearted"
Now claim that the average price paid
for eggs during the past year, considering the
cost of production, compares favorably with
the average price paid during the past ten
years. For seven months, beginning Sept 1,
1875 and ending April /, 1872 the average
market price here was Is cents per dozen.
The average price for the corresponding
months of last year was &c cents per dozen,
showing gain of eight cents per dozen over
previous years. The same months of the past
winter give US an average of % cents per doz
en-, showing an enormous reduction of three
Ntulb per uOAbu lIOln lhhl bthbOn h pIlceHs Is
there anything very astonishing about this
Does this small reduction justify you in cry
ing down the poultry and egg business, and
advising an abatement Of the same, which, "a
a business judiciously managed, will pay az
large per cent for money invested as any
other farm product?
Nor will allow that there is yet an over
production. So long as eggs can be produced
for eight cents dozen and sold at an average
price of % CENTS or even 10 cents, there is a
fair remuneration for time and labor expend.
ed The simple fact that eggs to the amount
Of 81, ca, 600 were imported into this country
during the past year to supply the demand
proves quite the contrary. II also proves that
the greater the demand and the more limited
the supply, the larger will be the importa-
tions, aud Foreigners and not our own farm.
ers, will receive the benefits. Two years ago
Coney island consumed II 600 broilers per
day, and last year the number was increased
to 10, 000-which, at four pounds 10 the pair,
amounts to 30, 600 pounds. The average price
paid by the consumers was 80 cents a pound,
or SO, 600 day, and 100000 $4,000, OO0?l
for the season of 60 days at this one favorite
resort.
Now, is there any money in this, or is it all
hen-crazeY II the latter, it has come to
stay (stick pin here, if you please you
may want it for reference in years to GOMEZ
don't claim that our markets afford us a
comparison to such profits but the fact that
the consumption of eggs and poultry is yearly
increasing, and the prices paid warrant a fair
compensation, proves that our neighbors and
neighboring farmers who produce for our
home markets from so to 100 dozen eggs
each during the winter months, and from so
to 100 broilers each, every spring, know what
they are doing, and so devote a portion of
their spare time, because of the profit they
receive for time labor and money invested.
Look at the profits annually realized by
hundreds OF farmers, in every state of the
Union, by the production of eggs and poul.
try. The business is capable of infinite ex-
tension. 1t has settled down into a legiti-
mate, regular trade, and the annual demand
for the products of the poultry yard is prac
tlcally unlimited believe that every faru
in Vermont, of 30 to 100 acres, could carry
100 hens aud upward year, at a net profit of
81. 80 per hen. There is a profit from the
droppings, eggs, feathers and carcasses, ac-
cording to the management and those who
undertake the business and fail of success are
generally those who are not satisfied with a
moderate profit They invest in it as a large
and quick-paying speculation, and do not care
to burden themselves with the many necessa.
ry aud important everyday duties which must
be attended to in order to insure success
for one am glad to notice that so many of our
farmers and others are taking up the idea of
poultry farming, and are beginning to realize
that there is fair profit in this branch of
farm labor. 1t is well adapted to owners of
large farms, who have the means necessary
to go into the business extensively, and as
well adapted to the poorer classes that have
not the capital to invest in large enterprises,
but who from necessity must needs derive an
income for the support of their families.
And l can say from experience that any per
son who has fondness for fowls, and starts
with the determination of making the bust.
ness success, will find it a pleasant, health.
full, lucrative and honorable occupation. Fra
ternaily yours ]. NJ MILLER
Fayetteville, VT, April 10, 1885.