The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-04
OFFICE WORKER GOES
TO POULTRY FARMING
Makes Success Of Venture and
Improves Health and
POcketbOOk.
FIRST INVESTS S1.1O
Careful Attention to Breeding
Results in Plant That
Shows Profit.
INVESTS
., PROF. r. ". sTONEBuRN.

,inneers IN any line. We prefer TO follow
hlazcd trail rather than strike out into
new fields and take what we find, be II
good or had Success achieved in the face
" difficulty is always an inspiration and
lends encouragement to others who might
Otherwise never attempt TO better them
selves. This may explain In a measure
why our occasional stories OF what GER
tain men and women have actually accom-
pllshed In the poultry industry have been
so we'll received.
Cities are necessary. They are rich in
opportunity. They offer much that the
country cannot provide. But they de-
mand much, and in too many cases they
,njure rather than benefit the individual
The average city dweller appreciates this
fact. and 1t is the foundation of the back
TO the land movement"
writer in current poultry publica-
ton aptly expresses the idea thus:
Almost every town or city dweller. II
ne will own the truth. longs for n spot
IN Gods country where he can watch
his own grass and trees and flowers grow
Yes. and see his own boys and girls and
stock and fowls enjoying the blue sky
and the green grass and the pure air .
where he can get down on all Tours and
forget the problems and the bills and the
noise and stencil of the city---and Just
1--we"
But how make the change? The
wealthy man can do as he pleases. but
the average man is tied To the wheel Of
necessity and must provide living for
himself and family II isn't an easy
matter for a man without funds and lack
ing IN experience To make "A living In the
country. But II can he done IL one has
the grit TO meet the conditions, work hard
and hold to the idea regardless of the dis
arrangements and distressing experiences
he is sure to meet. The following account,
Of the experience of W. j. T!lley, a
prominent poultry farmer Of New Eng
land Will bear out this assertion. The
facts In the case were obtained directly
from him.
Twelve years ago Mr.. Tilley was work.
Ing In an office in large city. He had
been at It thirteen years. Like most men
In such situations. he found ne was max
ing slow progress financially. and he saw
no prospect of immediate change for the
better. Looking nj the matter from all
angles. the question of health being far
from the least important consideration, he
came to the conclusion that he would
break on square and start again In the
country. where he believed he could be
independent and make such progress as
his personal efforts warranted.
Financial matters prevented him from
at once enbarking In agricultural pur-
SUITS. Probably this was fortunate lie
was compelled TO perfect his plans in nd
vance and then carry them out step by
step He first moved TO "a small hamlet, a
tiny mill village, where he could have a
cottage and a bit Of land, thus actually
getting his feet upon the soil. He OBJ
tanned employment as shipping clerk In
inc mill and began his farming opera
lions In very small way. devoting only
ms spare time to the work.
Ihough totally ignorant OF the poultry
stuation. he had the city mans respec,
TOT fresh eggs and nice table chickens
he knew the retail prices OF such prod.
ucts saw that poultry keeping is a
Twelve months Job instead OF being lin.
ited 10 certain seasons and he determined
TO take UP this line.
The start was made In the summer OF
1871 In very simple way. Though 1,
was late in the season to hatch chicks
Tor winter layers-July--he invested the
whole OF yl.10 and began operations. Two
s'ttings or eggs purchased from a neigh
Dor cost 20 cents. A sitting hen cost an.
other 90. Ten cents bought large box,
which was converted into a coop. The
second sitting hen was borrowed.
The eagerly expected chicks came "a
light IN due time, thirteen OF them. Ten
were pullets. which began laying early
the next spring. They were quartered An
Sxs foot house built during spare
hours from odd material. The flock was
headed by choice cockerel, which cost
$3.50.
During their FIRST productive year thi.
pen or pullets paid a net profit OF S2213
In addition fifteen nice pullets were
grown. which increased the laying flock
TO twenty-five head.
Another house similar TO tho FIRST one
was built and half acre Of adjoining
land rented. On this real poultry house
was erected and the flock increased "a
seventy-fivc.
The business proved profitable, and the
grohts We're devoted to expansion. Ad-
ditional buildings and appliances were Sc
cured, and by the fall OF 1905 the flock
consisted OF sixty yearling hens and ll5
matured pullets.
Interest In the work remained un-
soated. Considerable money had been
made each season. Everything seemed "a
indicate that this line offered n pleasa mt
nea!thful occupation and a good income
II II were followed TO the exclusion OF
everything else. At any rate. II seemed
wise to plunge In and become real
pouitry farmer instead Of a spare time
poultryman.
Near at hand was . fifty-five aore farm
With fine dwelling thereon which could
% secured on acceptable terms. The
SOL was suitable. water available and a
mo grove OF old pines on the north at
lofoed shelter from sun and wind. Ac-
eord!nsly tho arrangement was made
shd the little plant moved over there
large poultry house. l00xl2 feet In
we was erected and this and tho other
buildings filled with healthy layers Care
tal breeding and painstaking attention
Drought eggs in abundance. and a nice
income was secured The next year an.
plher large house was erected. Also a
nfooder house ll6 feet long. with an In
euoator cellar at one end. The stock
was Increased 10 $50 head. and the net
proht for the year was $l.l00. This be-
gar 70 look like real business
" must be remembered that this sun,
was virtually clear, since tho farm fur
h'Shed tho family dwelling. more or less
rNe the vegetables, fruit and poultry
ifpilcts for the table. all Of which eat
n'o the city mans income Mt an alarm
Ing rata
The year 1907 showed a further increase
10 ECO head and again the seasons profits
wefe most satisfactory. amounting to ap-
fortunately 81 bird. The birds laid
WEI. Eggs and chickens brought good
prices as compared with the price OF
'een and the outlook was rosy.