Larkspur, for instance, the seed of which brings $1.50 to $2 per pound, was one of her successes. This she planted in rows about 18 inches apart, and, when 4 to 5 inches high, she thinned it to 5 inches apart in the rows, and harvested it like buckwheat.
She also grew parsley, as the seeds and roots find a good market as drugs, and the roots bring 90 cents per pound. An oil is obtained from the seed.
Ginsing is another profitable product of a medical garden, and brings approximately $5.40 per pound.
She obtained reliable information regarding these plants, without cost, by writing to the bureau of plant industry, at Washington, D. C.
PLAN No. 410. AUTO-BUILDER FOR U. S. SEE [PLAN No. 217]
PLAN No. 411. SILVER FOX SKINS
When it is known that a silver fox skin is worth $2,500 in London, it will be seen that some capital is required to begin the raising of the animals.
A western man, who knew something of the business, organized a small company with which to purchase two or three female foxes and one male. The bureau of animal industry, at Washington, D. C., sent full information, free, on request, concerning this particular industry, and following the instructions received from that source the company made a remarkable success. One mother silver fox frequently rears eighteen young animals in three years, so the profit can be figured from this. Of course, the first cost was considerable, but this was amply justified by the returns.
PLAN No. 412. PERCENTAGE COLLECTIONS
A couple of young fellows in Salt Lake City started a collection agency by first opening a small office and calling upon all the merchants for their old, outlawed or hopeless accounts, on a commission basis ranging from 25 to 50 per cent of the amounts collected. By arranging with a good local reporting company, so as to learn the standing and financial condition of debtors, and associating an active attorney with them, they were able to write a form of letter that brought good returns. The reporting company saved them much time. These old accounts brought them in touch with good claims from time to time until in a few months the business was of sufficient size to give them a good living.