PEKIN DUCKS.
NILES, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
The ducks arrived safely and prompt, and I thank you very much for sending such fine large ducks—why they are more like geese as far as size. I also thank you for the prompt attention given my order.
The poor little duck I kept of the ones raised by me this year looks very small—only about one-third the size of those received from you, and I thought her quite a respectable size before. I've long wanted some of your ducks, and I'm very much pleased with them.
Wishing you greater success, I remain,
Respectfully yours, CLARA G. CARATU.
R. F. D. 1, Niles, Ohio.
RUSLERSTOWN, Md., Sept. 21, 1905.
MR. JAS. RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
I beg to advise that the ducks have been received, and with them I am very much pleased. Am building a home for them in accordance with your plans, and when it is completed I shall want more ducks.
Yours very truly, H. D. OWEN.
CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, Pa., Sept. 18, 1905.
Dear Sir—
Received the ducks all right. Am well pleased with them.
Yours truly, M. F. TRAINER.
MT. HOLLY, Sept. 28, 1905.
Dear Sir—
I received the ducks today, and I am well satisfied with them. Thanking you for your promptness, I remain
JEREMIAH DONOVAN.
R. F. D. No. 1.
TRADESMEN'S NATIONAL BANK.
The United States Depository of Pittsburgh.
May 20, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
The four (4) ducks you sent me arrived on the 16th, and I want to thank you for so promptly and satisfactorily filling my order. I am very highly pleased with them. Sincerely yours,
T. B. BARNES.
WHITE PLAINS, Md., Mar. 27, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
We are pleased to say that duck eggs arrived safe, only four broken. We tested them and got 96 per cent. fertile. Very good. Thanks for promptness. May send for another 100 soon.
Yours very respectfully, GOUGH BROS. & CO.
BALTIMORE, Md., Saturday, Jan. 1905.
MR. RANKIN:
The duck arrived safely yesterday. Very many thanks. She is a lovely large bird.
MRS. E. C. ROBINSON.
"Elgin."
BROOKLYN, N. Y., May 3, 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
The Pekin duck eggs you shipped me arrived safely, not one broken. Would have written sooner, but waited to see result of the hatch. I have ten little beauties. Should have had thirteen, but the chicken crushed three, two were unfertile. But I am very well pleased. Thank you for such fair treatment.
Wishing you every success, yours sincerely,
B. NICKLAUS.
Vienna Ave. and Barby St.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Mass., Jan. 17, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
Received the drake and ducks all right, and I must in candor tell you how pleased my wife and daughter were with them. I have two ducks I was told were your strain, but they are eclipsed by those you sent me. I hope later on, I may send for more, as I am highly pleased with them.
Yours respectfully, R. PARK.
COMMON PLEAS COURT,
10th District.
BUCYRUS, Ohio, May 7, 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
We received the ducks and they are good in every respect, and beside Mr. ——, make his look like culls. If he sends the same kind to every person, he is certainly a detriment to the business. He excused himself by saying that he was away from home; then he retains incompetent help. No criticism whatever can be made of your selection, and the ducks you sent us are as good as your reputation, and the latter is the best in this part of the country.
We shall probably want a few show birds this fall, and will write you later. Yours truly, JAMES C. TOBIAS.
OWOSSO, Mich., Oct. 21, 1904.
JAMES RANKIN, So. Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
I overlooked writing you in regard to the drakes. The first lot arrived nicely, except two. One seemed to be quite badly lamed, and the other a little. We took them out immediately on arrival, and the one that was slightly lamed has come out all right. The other fellow died. Probably got hard usage somewhere on the road. The lot right through was a very nice lot.
The second lot arrived in fine condition, and the two lots together are entirely satisfactory every way. Do not see how any one could ask for anything nicer.
The hundred we had from you last year were equally as good, however, in fact, can see no difference. Either the drakes or the ducks ought to be satisfactory to any reasonable person.
Yours truly, E. F. DUDLEY.
GLEN WILD P. O., Sullivan Co., 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
The trio of Pekin Ducks arrived safe on Monday, Oct. 3d. They are exactly as represented. I like them very much. They seem to be very tame and easy to get along with.
Very truly, (Mrs.) EDGAR KETCHAM.
U. S. S. "Forward.," KEY WEST, Fla., May 23, 1904.
MR. J. RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
Sitting of eggs duly received last month. Got now ten lively ducklings, had eleven, but one got killed. Thanking you for prompt attention, I remain, Very truly yours,
GEO. SCHOPFER.
HILL CITY, South Dakota, June 11, 1904.
MR. RANKIN:
I received ducks O. K. My other ducks are laying fine. They are all fine ones; although they cost me $4.92 1-2 apiece I would not take the money back for them.
G. W. WALLACE.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Manitoba, Nov. 3, 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
I am very much pleased with the ducks you sent me, they are the finest pair I ever saw. The people here say they are like geese. Thank you for the splendid selection you made for me.
GEO. E. STACEY.
NORTH DETROIT, Mich., R. F. D. No. 2, Jan. 9, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
The ducks arrived safe Saturday evening, Jan. 7, in good condition. I am very much pleased with your selection. They are certainly two fine birds. I remain, Yours truly,
CHAS. GLARBON.
MORRIS, Ill., Jan. 24, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
The ducks arrived in good condition, and they are the largest ducks I have ever seen. Thank you for your satisfactory shipment.
Yours truly, L. L. NESS.
EAST BERLIN, Conn., March 29, 1905.
MR. RANKIN:
I received the duck eggs this afternoon in fine order, and I am delighted with them. They are beautiful eggs, and I feel sure of a good hatching. I only expected nine, as my friends all told me that nine was a sitting. I am more than pleased to receive 15. I will let you know how many birds I get later.
Yours with many thanks,
Mrs. S. McCRUM.
MONROE, N. Y., June 6, 1904.
MR. RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
Excuse me for not writing to you sooner. I have been so busy that I have not taken the time, but I received the duck eggs in due time, also the little book, for which I thank you very much. Received 15 eggs, more than I expected for a sitting. Two were cracked, as the basket looked as if it had been handled roughly by the Express Co. Out of the thirteen (13) remainder, were hatched eleven ducks, but the hen killed two of them on the nest. That left nine (9) fine little ducks, which are all alive at present and doing nicely—the largest I ever saw for their age. They are now but ten days old, but I would not take five dollars for them, as they look as if they were going to make fine big fellows. I don't mind buying eggs from a man like you, as you are sure to get your money's worth. Wishing you a prosperous season,
CHAS. G. REINHARDT.
ELWOOD, Ind., Jan. 13, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
The trio of Pekin ducks received in good condition. Am well pleased. Also the book on "Duck Culture" received and read, which was much enjoyed. Learned many new points in duck raising. Thanking you, I am
Yours respectfully, Mrs. A. T. COX.
ELKTON, Md., Jan. 9, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
Received ducks yesterday in good condition, and I am pleased with them. Can you let me have two more ducks at same price and as nice as these? If so, let me hear from you, and oblige,
Yours respectfully, Mrs. J. B. CONNER.
EAST BERLIN, Ct., May 4, 1905.
MR. RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
I want to tell you how delighted I am with my little ducks. I had 13 out of 15 eggs. Only one egg that was bad, as there was one duckling in the egg, but was not strong enough to come out. But I am more than pleased with my 13. I feel sure they will grow to be fine, large ducks. Yours respectfully,
Mrs. S. McCRUM.
ROCKAWAY, N. J., Jan. 9, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir—
The two ducks and a drake you shipped me arrived in good condition. They are the finest birds of their class I ever saw. Different people who have examined them say they are the biggest and best ducks they ever looked at.
Yours resptfully
GEORGE S. STONE.
Morris County.
LYNBROOK, Long Island, Oct. 16, 1905.
MR. J. RANKIN:
Sir—
The drake and duck arrived on Friday, P.M. in the very finest of shape. Thanking you for the selection you made for me, I remain,
Respectfully, W. H. YOUNG.
30 Bernard St., EAST ORANGE, N. J., Oct. 18, 1905.
JAMES RANKIN, Esq., South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
Your shipment of one duck and one drake came to hand today, and they are a fine pair of birds. Thanks for your promptness in this matter.
Yours truly, CHAS. H. WARING.
SUFFOLK, Va., June 2d, 1905.
MR. JAS. RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
Just as the ducks came to hand I was called away from home, hence the delay in acknowledging receipt of them. They arrived safe and well, and it is but due to you to say, in size and beauty they exceeded my most sanguine expectations. They are indeed handsome birds. Many persons who saw them took them to be geese. I thank you for your promptness in filling my order, etc.
Yours truly, V. S. KILBY.
I. W. Morgan, Sr.,
Sec'y-Treas.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
of the Town of Port Arthur.
PORT ARTHUR, ONT., Aug. 30, 1905.
JAMES RANKIN, Esq., South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir—
The drake and two ducks you shipped to me on the 26th inst. arrived this evening, and are apparently in very good "trim" after their four days' journey. They are the finest looking ducks I ever saw and I have seen many thousands. I am more than pleased with them. Thanking you for your prompt and fair dealing with me
I am sincerely yours, J. W. MORGAN, Sr.,
Port Arthur, Ont., Canada.
COMMISSION HOUSE OF W. H. RUDD & SON,Boston.
No. 10 Merchants' Row,
Friend Rankin—With the exception of yourself, we doubtless hatch and raise more poultry, by actual count, than any one on this continent. We do it entirely by artificial means, and shall never employ any other so long as we raise poultry at all and retain our senses.
At our headquarters, in Boston, we receive and handle, to say the very least, as many market ducks as any firm in the city, and unless we are dull scholars, we ought to form a pretty accurate opinion of the relative merits of natural and artificial methods of incubation; or perhaps better expressed, the comparative quality of poultry raised by each, whether designed for market or other purposes. We were looking over our breeding stock the other day, and certainly never saw so handsome a lot for so large numbers, and we should have to travel as far as South Easton to find as fine a flock of ducks.
The best market ducks that reach Boston (present company excepted, of course), are sent there by yourself and your brother, William Rankin of Brockton; not only are they two or three weeks in advance of others, but being grown with so great rapidity gives them that fineness and firmness of flesh, a superior flavor, and excellence in general appearance which cannot be found—or at least never is found—in ducks raised in the natural way, and which must necessarily be kept much longer to attain the same height.
We could refer you to the proprietors of five of the leading hotels in the city, who state that the artificially-hatched ducks furnished by us during the last few years are by far the best they ever used, and that since the raising of ducks had thus been reduced to a science, fully twice as many as formerly are now daily called for by the guests, and consequently the demand is correspondingly increased, and we predict it will continue to increase indefinitely. Your ducks sell quicker and bring more per pound than any we get. Next come those raised and sent by Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Otis, both, like ourselves, using your machines.
By the way, we have now secured Mr. Otis for our superintendent at the Brighton farm, and his well-known skill and experience, combined with our own, will render it necessary for you to keep your eye peeled and look to your laurels, lest you find yourself playing second fiddle. Fraternally and very truly,
W. H. RUDD & SON.