The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-08
EAT THE DUCKS AND CHICKENS.
An Agreeable Way to Escape Extortion.
ate Meat Prices.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-str: In
these times when so much attention Is
given TO the supply and prices of red
meats. beef. 60, other meats OF much
more Importance are lost sight Of.
We have received and consumed 400
carloads OF chickens in the past week
brought here alive. generally from points
west of the Mississippi. The money value
OF this poultry aggregated $4,000. This
avalanche OF poultry was consumed largely
by our Hebrew element. or say about
one-nfth OF our population in the metro
politan district.
This poultry was slaughtered IN about
100 local stores and distributed TO con
sumers at IS TO 20 cents a pound on the
fricassee fowls and from II 10 Is cents
on the broihng and frying chickens. BY
the time this poultry reached the con-
sumner 10 had been killed only from one
TO four hours and cost from two n three
cents pound over carload prices.
Many OF the Christian housewives avail
themselves of this fine. cheap poultry,
which Is known as Kosher killed" West
ern dressed poultry corresponding to the
above that arrives here packed in ice OF
chilled before being shipped is sold 20 the
Christians AT four TO 1--WE cents pound
more than the Hebrew families pay for
their poultry killed only few hours The
term Kosher killed is equivalent TO our
saying inspected"
Poultry has been cheaper than beef or
other meats for some years past. and !.
the Other four-fifths OF our population
would give poultry a place on their bills
OF fare a business Of $1,000, 900 week
could soon he developed and the beef
packers would then be compelled to frame
their prices to compete with poultry. The
fact that some meat markets charge eN-
orb!tant profits of 10 10 Is cents a pound
oh. - = n
against their being sold and distributed NJ
a fair profit TO the dealer and consumer.
The Long Island farmers raise millions
OF white Pekin ducks each year and could
increase the production tenfold almost In
ten months. II Just requires ten weeks
from the shell to the table, when these
ducklings weigh Ave TO six pounds each
The wholesale price OF these ducks since
last spring was 1874 10 l6 cents and they
were retailed In the leading meat markets
at IS TO 20 cents a pound.
These ducks were by far the cheapest
meat obtainable, yet thousands Of con-
sumers Of meat are not aware that they
can be obtained at these prices, or In fact
that they have any existence at all. Duel;
growers that have well equipped plants
can raise ducks weighing Ave pounds at
A cost OF - 70 50 cents each, and II their
output was increased the cost could be
materially reduced. especially when
cracked wheat, oatmeal and other kinds
OF feed are normal in price
II requires at least three years TO pro-
duce a steer and generally four or five
wears to get heavy, prime cattle. A steer
calf will consume $40 worth OF milk the
first six months OF its existence after that
the upkeep costs little or nothing until
stall feeding commences. During the
time It requires 10 produce prime beef
thousands of ducks could be produced
that would make the former appear a
small item indeed.
II consumers could get over the habit
OF Worrying over the prices OF red meats
and turn their attention TO foods that are
much cheaper and more easily procured
we would all be happier. At this moment
there are 10000 pounds of frozen tur-
KEYS from last season. These turkeys
cost their owners from % TO 20 cents
and are now offered wholesale Mt Is to
% cents Yet the average dealer In
meats is ignorant OF this condition and
takes orders'' for turkeys at 2S to 80
cents n pound.
Economics 10 which many OF our wealthy
families that depended on dividends to
maintain their households were forced
and the loss OF the steamship trade have
much TO do with the present situation.
New YORK, october T. p O. For.