WONDERFUL HENS
SWINDLER’S ‘‘SECRET’’ EGG A DAY FOR FIVE YEARS A story of a secret scheme to make hens in England lay an egg every day was told at the Winchester Assizes, when Frederick Hardy Ruffle, aged 71, a poultry farmer, of Earlington, near Portsmouth, was charged with obtaining by faise pretences £5OO from Mr John A. Musson, and £250 each from Air Bernard E. Mays, Mr Edward J. Morgan, and Mr William H. Bridges. It was stated that Ruffle induced the men to hand over their life savings by telling them that he had a secret process of feeding which would make a n m lay an egg every day. Each hen, thus, would produce 365 eggs a year for five years running without moulting. Mr Musson said he was now out of work and living on charity. Mr Bridges said Ruffle told him that his prmits: wouid. make he ».s la> more eggs in the winter than in the summer. His notepaper bore the words: ‘‘This is the only poultry farm of its kind in England.” Mr Justice Charlee: 1 should think it was. Mr H. G. Cambridge, a poultry farmer, of Hayling Island, said Ruffle had 120 poor class birds which would not average more than 120 eggs a year. It was impossible to get 365 eggs from any bird in a year, and he would like to know the man’s secret. Mr Justice Charles: He is in the dock; ask him. Ruffle said he had hai 12 years’ experience as a poultry farmer in the United States and Canada. He knew e. farm in California where six eggs a week were got fr>m each ten all the year round. “You must Cut let a hen know the diffeience between summtr ant. winter, and yo i can get an egg every day,” he continued. Mr Justice Churies: Do tsoj know any hens that lay thr-33 a da/ 1 *—No. Ruffle, who had many convictions end was an undischarged bankrupt, was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 34, 10 February 1930, Page 10
Word Count
339WONDERFUL HENS Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 34, 10 February 1930, Page 10
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