Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-05-11
George W. EIkins Establishes
Model Poultry Farm.
Member Of Millionaire Family Erects
$4,000 Plant, All Under One Roof
Business ls Now on Pay
ing Basis.

Philadelphia.-In Abingdon, one Of
the Old York road suburbs and close
to the famous Folly Farms on the FL
kins estate, young George W. Elkins,
a member of the millionaire family,
has succeeded in establishing q chick
en- farm that is really model.
Ten acres, upon which are built the
most improved types Of shelters and
feeding spaces for the chickens, COM
prise the farm. It cost, in addition to
the original purchase price of the
handsome $20.000-the sum Of $751;
900 more. Experts have said that
the investment is a sound, paying
business proposition and not simply
the qualification of millionaire's
within.
Mr.. Elkins, business man, clubman,
horseman. golfer and motorist, is also
an expert on chickens. The farm Is
under his personal supervision and
care. Every detail Of its management
has been carefully planned. Richard
Smith, the superintendent Of the
chicken farm. frequently goes to Mr..
Elkins for advice and suggestions.
The farm is built on a portion Of
the Ash property, which Mr.. Elkins
acquired recently. A unique idea of
Mr. Elkins was to have his whole
plant under one roof. Builders told
him this was impracticable, but he
succeeded in having his scheme car
ried out and It has proved extremely
justifiable.
A building one story in height, 20
feet wide and 49S feet long, was
erected, facing the south. 1t was d.
vided into II compartments, each
capable Of accommodating 125 chick
ems. At the western end OF the house
is a brooder, lis by 20 feet, fitted up
with 80 breeders and capable Of car
ing for 1890 little chicks.
At the extreme northern end is q
large colony house for setting hens.
In this end also are the feed rooms,
the heating plant and the incubator
rooms. One long passageway runs
the entire length Of the whole house,
and the entire plant Is thus under one
roof. This simplihes construction.
makes for economy and is a big saving
Of time in handling the chickens, be-
sides being a sanitary arrangement
With the large acreage at his dis
posal Mr.. Elkins is not bothered with
the question Of runs. Five runs have
been constructed, each about 80 by
290 feet These have been set out
In rye and grass and nearly 400 peach
trees have been planted. Wire net
ting incloses the runs and the space
provided Is ample for each batch Of
500 chickens.
Feeding troughs, nests, lofts and all
equipment is kept .spotlessly clean.
Here the personal supervision and
care Of Mr.. Elkins Is manifested al
most daily. Mr.. Ellins says he does
not believe In feeding chickens pre-
pared food. but that plenty Of corn
meal, milk and bread, boiled, with
tender green shoots Of grass or rye
Is the best food.
Barred Rocks, Plymouth Rocks,
White Leghorns and Indian Game are
the varieties Of pure-bred stock which
are most In evidence at the farm
now, which has been running smooth
ly on scientific principles for several
months and Is on a paying basis.
As yet" says Mr.. Elkins. "the In
nOvation is largely On experimental
lines. The proposition looks good %
me, and with the success assured Che
doesn't even consider the possibility
Of failure N Tie vonturs) additional
colony houses und cher nssds1 buil1-