Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-12-13
PROFITS or TURKEY RAISING.
An Industry That Has Grown Rapidly IN
Northern New York.

U4fkHoFH NoW aVfA
a WATERFOWL On. ~ correspond
emit of the New York Times writes
1.-THE annual harvest Of poultry for
the New York and Boston markets
is about over in this part of the State
and it has been big one. Thous-
ands of the finest and fattcst turkeys
in the land have already found their
way from Northern New York to
the tables of people in the larger
cities, and many more will get there
during the coming holidays
The business of raising the
turkey formarket is of comparatively
recent origin in this region, but it has
grown to such an extent that it de
mands more than passing notice.
This year the money paid the farm
ers for turkeys alone, in st. Lawrence
county, will amount to over $780,
600, and if divided prorata among
the inhabitants, would give every
man, woman and child over $3.50
each. When the number of farmers
is taken into account it would be
seen that each would have a snug
sum for the poultry raised. A few
days before Thanksgiving freight
train of thirty-three cars loaded with
dressed turkeys was dispatched for
Boston. This was only one of the
several shipments, but it is probably
the largest quantity sent by one
train this season. The prices paid
by dealers run from IA to 10 cents
per pound, which is considerably
above the prices paid for Western
turkeys. One firm bought IS tons
in one week. Nearly every village
in the county now has one or more
turkey brokers who buy on commits
sion for dealers in the large cities.
"With the business of poultry
raising the poultry fair has become
an established institution. Every
town, little and big, has one. The
broker sets the day on which he will
receive turkeys for shipment, and
farmers for miles around are notified.
On the day indicated the farmers or
their wives and daughters bring in
their stock of dressed fowls. The
brokers are kept busy from daylight
to dark, and have many tedious ar
gument with those who wish to get
first-class prices for second-class
birds. There is much competition
among the farmers wives for the
highest prices, and none care to have
it said that their neighbors have got
the best of them in this particular.
The premium on good poultry gener-
ally brings the st. Lawrence county
turkey up to a high standard, and
dealers say better fowls are raised
here than in any other part OF the
country.
Farmers in this section have
awakened to the fact that there is a
great profit in this new business.
This year many of them will receive
more for their turkeys than they
have had from their diaries. The
trouble encountered in turkey rails
ing is not great. The fowls are able
to take care of themselves from the
day they are Matched until the time
comes for fattening, which is about
six weeks before time for killing.
They are not molested to any great
extent by the hawk, fox or weasel,
and the percentage of loss in raising
them is less than on any other do
nestle fowl. Those engaged In the
business say the turkeys should not
be fed during the summer months.
If left to forage on the farm until
about the first Of October, and then
shut up and fed grain, they take on
fat rapidly and are better for the
table than any Stalled fowl can ever
be.
"A good farm is not requisite in
turkey raising. Poor land is just as
good, provided the fowls have wide
range. st. Lawrence county farmers
who happen to be the possessors of
tracts of land that can not be profit
ably utilized in dairying have learn
ed that they can make as much clear
money on poultry as their more for
tunate neighbors can make out of
other products. The only danger
seems that the turkey business may
be overdone, and that prices may go
down in consequence If this does
not happen it is bound to be most
important industry on Northern New
York farms.3