F 487

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

WITH—

POULTRY =

¥

‘
¥

GEO. M. DAVENPORT.

25 Cents.

Price,

if a i
HB
a

”

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

CB POULTRY S2

——<—SN

=

Z : Zz
hc)

Vi “A

GEO. M. DAVENPORT.

ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS,
AT THE LISRARIAN'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, D. C.

BY
GEO. M. DAVENPORT.

GEO. H. BURNHAM & CO., PRINTERS,
185 WEST HOUSTON STREET,
NEW YORK.

IN oO A
‘ Dy. es

PREFACE.

This Book is intended to fill a void long felt, among practical poultry
growers. We mean a treatise that shall combine all the information con-
tained in larger works, without their verbosity and come within the means

of every child who can procure a dozen of eggs.

DEDICATION.

To the women and children of New England:—I dedicate my little
work on Poultry, with the sincere wish that they may derive that benefit from

it the Author intended and which they so richly deserve. Tue AUTHOR.

Practical Experience with Poultry,

In placing before the public my practical experience with poultry, I am
actuated with a desire to benefit the working farmer. Yet it can be of
service to others than the practical agriculturalist. The centralization of
population to villages and cities the past few years, and the importation
from the West of the great staples of productions such as corn, wheat, beef,
pork, and many other products formerly produced in the past has worked
very disastrously for the farmer in the East and Middle States. Under the
present condition of things he must seek some other branch of industry to
procure his snbsistence from the soil. Poultry, which has heretofore been
looked upon as one of the extras of the farm, can be made a specialty, and
with a due exercise of brain and intelligence made profitable, and not as
laborious as many former branches of work. It is not my purpose in this
preface to write a homily upon labor, or what has produced the present con-
dition of the farmer. It is sufficient to know it is so, and some method
should be sought to change it: that we fit ourselves to existing circumstances,
if the old methods no longer pay, ascertain what can be made profitable on
the farm, but do not forsake the old home, and the only employment you
understand, for new homes and some employment you do not understand.
You have learned not to covet all the land that joins you, you must also learn
not to attempt to cultivate more land than you can cultivate to advantage.
You cannot exercise the mind mentally in thought and study, if you are physi-
cally exhausted, We have known people to live years in one locality, hardly
making a living, while some new comer would see a way to better his con-
dition. I look upon the present degenerate condition of the farmer as being
produced by circumstances he might have controlled, but for lack of fore-
sight in the psst. Now let us take soundings, see where we are, and if we
are in a bad condition, study some way to extricate ourselves. The United
States the past year, 1885, imported sixteen millions four hundred and eighty-
seven thousend two hundred and four dozen of eggs, at the cost of two
million six hundred and seventy-seven thousands three hundred and sixty
dollars. This is appalling. This is an agricultural country, who boast they
feed the world, and yet cannot supply themselves with eggs—whose reasons
for not raising farm produce has been, in the past, that they cannot sell it;
that the home market is glutted. This does not apply to eggs alone as
regards importation of farm products easily produced by the working farmer.
We simply stateit in its application to our subject. Every farmer can, and
should, give exch son and daughter who has arrive at ten years of age land
and suitable fixings for one hundred hens, giving them an early insight of
the duties of life, bringing with it an independence of thought a glimpse of

their responsibilities as a higher order of beings. Teaching them work is recre-
ation, not a task; that resonable labor is elevating ; that idleness is debasing.
You may think ten years is too early to learn; yet you would not think four
years too early to learn the complications of the alphabet. The farm can be
made the children’s school, illustratively, if you will do your part. We all
know that children in cotton mills understand the workings of machinery at
ten years, learned under discipline as wage-workers. We also know they will
learn much quicker when appeal is made to their reason under the loving
guidence of a father or mother. Never be harsh with them, and they will
always come to you for counsel, never resorting to duplicity. When passed
the meridian of life, a complete change in our circumstances compelled us to
resort to some occupation, not only for a subsistance, but to divert our mind
from the debris of the past. A friend suggested poultry, which advice we
acted upon.

Tintend to give the reader in detail what I learned in two years’ experi-
ence in the management of poultry, making a specialty of eggs and breeding
chickens for practical purposes, giving the subject careful attention and spar-
ing nothing that would enable me to obtain a knowledge which should be
satisfactory to me, a net profit could be derived from keeping poultry as a
legitimate business. My experiments the first year lessened the net results
from what they would haye been had I possessed the knowledge I now
undertake to impart to the reader; yet there was no time during these
two years that I did not receive from my labor a fair remuneration: and from
my practical experience I claim there is nothing in the present conditions of
the practical farmer that pays as well in New England, for however low other
products may be or forestalled by capitalists, the successful management of
poultry depends on skill and intelligence, placing it beyond the reach of the
ignorant and imcompetent. Neither can the market be forestalled for high
prices on the consumer by moneyed power. No corner can be made on eggs.

If the farmer of New England (and this will apply to the Middle States
xt the present time) must depend on his daily sales cf milk, butter, veget-
bles, fruit, poultry and eges, and all these products excepts eggs are more
or less affected by foreign producers who in the season will flood the East
with vegetables and fruit from the Pacific coast, the Southern States and
Bermuda, the West packing her butter and condensing her milk, the North-
ern egg will still maintain its price. Again I reiterate, the poultry product
in the East is paramount to all others.

The business can be enlarged to any limit that those engaged are endowed
with capacity. Capital may be desired at the start—industry, ability and
perseverance will make the capital only a question of time.

I do not intend to state anything in this short treatise that would cause
the new beginner to lose money, or time, which is of more value than money,
and if he does, I assert it will be from neglect of the rules I here advance.

(
And at this pointI must say 75 per cent. of those engaging in the yocation
will fail from neglect of details, hence the monopoly for the competent and
persevering engaged in the occupation.

I commenced in the month of October with 50 hens, continuing twenty-six .
months, the first year breeding all the chickens I could, experimenting with
every feed. In fact, my first year was a tissue of experiments, both book and
brain, and I never realized the magnitude of my employment at the outset.

The second year found me with one hundred and forty hens including two
pure light Brahma roosters and two Brown Leghorns, with twelve pure Light
Brahma pullets and the same number of pure Brown Leghorns; the remain-
der were grades of every description. My product the second year was 1,353
dozen of eggs sold to consumers, excepting those consumed in the family and
set for chicks, which were rated at the same price as those sold when thus
used. The extreme of prices was 16 and 36 cents per dozen, averaging
twenty-six cents per dozen. My eges were sold in the city of Worcester,
Mass., during the months of March and April, when there was a surplus of
eggs in the market I set thirty-four dozen, never setting over nine eggs
under one hen, and in most instances seven—raising one hundred and sixty-
four chickens, about equally divided in sex; I lost about fifty per cent. of
my chicks by a cold storm.

The net profit from all sold and consumed, viz., dressed poultry, eggs,
manure and feathers, was one dollar and thirty-six cents per hen, amounting
to $184.96. I believe, had I continued the following year, I could have
carried the net gain to a much higher figure, for I learned my success was
proportionate to my experience. The question is simply this, can you ascer-
tain what is required for one hen? and if you can supply one hen all that
is wanting for success, can you extend it to unlimited numbers?

There should be at all times in the hennery or yard raw vegetables, but
they should never be cooked. I prefer potatoes or turnips, the turnips to
be cut through the centre, but beets, carrots, parsnips, pumpkin, squash or
sweet apple will answer. Vegetables of some kind are necessary. If boiled
they clog the crop. Have a box of cracked bone, oyster shells and pounded
flint stone convenient for them. The stone you can pulverize with a heavy
hammer on another stone. Keep each article separate, and remove them at
night from the house. They can stand out permanently when the hens are
running at large. Occasionally cut the vegetables fine as corn. In the
winter they must have fresh meat. Take a beef's head, hang it in such a
position that they will have to jump about a foot for it, then they will not eat
enough to injure them and the exereise is necessary. Remove the head at
night from the house. In summer feed scraps twice each week. Fresh meat.
taints too quick in hot weather, and it is important that no tainted food be fed.’
Again we affirm, the hen properly cared for will eat no impurity. If one lives
in the vicinity of a pop-corn factory, he can procure the siftings from the

imperfect popcorn. It can be purchased much less then its real value, and it
is the most valuable of all feeds for either hens in the laying, or growing
chickens. One factory in the city of New York makes six hundred bushels
annually of this feed.

The hen must be kept quiet. Allow no officious visitors to ramble about
the yard; it annoys them. They love and know their attendant, desiring no
other company. Keep the hen free from all excitement. Never was the
phrase, “Business begets business,” better exemplified than in one hen exciting
another to lay eggs by her demonstrations. Hens must not be permitted to
eat snow or drink snow-water, and the same applies to rain-water or water
in sink-drains ; all soft waters are physicking to poultry. Hard or lime water
is best—we do not mean water from steeped lime which should be avoided.

The constant attendant can gather the eggs when he pleases, and he need
never act slyly or go skulking about this work; nothing more disgusts the
hen, unless boisterousness. The hen will be pleased to witness the interest
he takes in the business. Remember, this only applies to the constant at-
tendant. The gathering of the eggsis the only part of the work you need
have no rule for. Remove the windows in extreme hot days, or shade
them so as not to reflect the sun. Endeavor as nearly as possible to keep
the house at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees. They do not lay as well in
extremes or either heat or cold as in an even temperature.

Locatrry.—In starting a poultry yard a southern exposure is to be pre-
ferred. It is also desirable to be sheltered from winds and draughts as much
as possible. One acre of land is sufficient for one hundred fowls. This
gives an area of 272 superficial feet per hen. One-eighth of this should be
free from grass or vegetation, and once in two weeks should be spaded or
ploughed, sowing one-half bushel of oats over the surface before spading.
The hens will soon find there are oats in the soil and never cease working it
for more. This employment is an important item in the business. Many of
the oats will not be found until sprouted. Sprouted grain is a luxury for
the hen, and beneficial. The young plant, being tender, is eagerly eaten in
perference to grass. Build the poultry house in what you think the most
desirable part of the plat. That portion free from grass, to surround the
house: on the lawn portion, should be planted small covers of shrubbery
about 8 ft. square. Four or six of these covers are sufficient, and as hens are
poison to any tree or shrub, they should be made of brush. Procure birch
or some other brush (birch is best). Cut them when the leaves are two-
thirds grown, they will then adhere to the twigs in dying, and last one or
two years. Have the body of the brush or main stem one and a half inches
in diameter and three fect long ; select that well covered with brush, mak-
ing holes with a small bar eight inches apart and the same in depth to hold
them in position. When becoming dilapidated you can place fresh brush on
the top, until the stands are broken down, then renew them in full.

Hens or chickens must not be permitted torun on the grass when the
dew or rain is upon it. To allow poultry to get wet is one of the stumbling
blocks to success. To avoid this that portion of the yard free from grass
should be at the entrance of the house and should be fenced, even then
they should not be out when raining. It is indispensable that poultry be
not exposed to wet.

Tue Hen Hovst.—A house suitable for one hundred hens can be 30 by 20
feet, 7 foot post; the eastern and southern exposure to be partly glass.
Have the windows so the sun will come in on rising, a tight plank floor,
the plank smoothed; no part of the frame except the sills need be over 3 by
5, and for warmth in winter and coolness in summer have it ceiled or plas-
tered inside. Ceiling is preferable. Let the house inside be free from any
obstructions, or what will tempt the hen to perch on any place than that al-
lotted to them, the house to be whitewashed fall and spring.

For ventilation, run a box one foot in the clear under the building, pro-
curing the air pure from the outside; have a small tube of boards four inches
in the clear running up through the floor from the main box below, with a
valve to be opened and shut as found expedient. In warm days or when nec-
essary the window can be opened to let any vitiated air pass out. The
expense of such a house made of cheap lumber need not be over $100. A
common, intelligent laborer with a carpenter can do much of the work, less-
ening the cost. Have the perches on one side of the house fifteen inches
apart, running lengthways of the house, made of soft wood, two by three
scantling ; the broad side to the surface. Place movable supports for them to
rest upon. The perches should not be over twelve inches from the floor.
Have two sets of perches to be changed weekly, cleansed and aired.

I particularly urge the low perches. More hens are killed flying from
high perches than all other causes. They will quickly conform to the habit
of perching low, if there is no inducement to fly higher, but if left to them,
selves they will get as high as they can.

For nests place a row of connected boxes 6 inches deep on the front, 10
inches at the back, with partition every 12 inches, this row of nests can be
placed about 14 inches above the back perch. The hens can easily alight in
them from the perch. Have a lid or cover running the entire length to let
down at night, so steep they will not wish to perch on it. If more nests are
wanted you can make them in other parts of the house, not over 12 inches
from the floor. Inside of the nest should be a braided concaved mat of
corn husks. Have two sets of these mats, that they can be cleaned each
alternate week. Straw or hay shou!d never be uscd for nests, they will acquire
ahabit of searching it for seeds, procrastinating their stay upon the nest, often-
times breaking the eggs, from which they will quickly learn to eat, a habit
which if once formed they cannot be broken of. Poultry, like everything
domesticated, acquire pernicious habits which should be guarded against.

10

I,

A hen at maturity, wiil consume four ounces of food per day in
some form. This includes all partaken of. Their food should consist of
grain, grass or hay, vegetables, meat, bone, gravel and charcoal, which
includes all the articles necessary. Of course, if they run at large they
will eat many other things, and in this connection I will say if properly
cared for they will eat greedily under other circumstances. As both the egg
and flesh will be affected by the food to some extent, more particularly the
eges, it is important that they should be habituated to suitable food. Who-
ever has the care of hens must be up before the hens. The food eaten at
night on going to perch is now digested, and nothing is more ravenous then
the hen with an empty crop. They begin to move on the perch uneasily,
and as soon as it is day they will alight. It is all important they do not
fret, waiting for their breakfast. This first meal should be soft food.
Whole grain will not permeate the system sufficiently quick. This meal
should not be prepared the previous night.

Poultry must not be given stale food or vitiated water; thus it will not
do to leave food or water in the hennery through the night. The morning
meal must be stimulating food. For this meal, take 4 pounds coarse wheat
bran to one pound of corn meal, mixed with warm water (if the morning is
cold) dissolve one tablespoontful of black or one half that of cayenne pepper
and one tablespoonful of salt in boiling water to mix with the feed. One
hundred hens will eat about one pailful at breakfast. Twice a month put
the following mixture in the feed, 4 gill to each 100 hens: Receipt, to + Ib.
sulphate of iron and one oz. sulphuric acid, dissolve in 4 qts. of water, see
that it is thoroughly incorporated in the feed. After they have eaten their
morning meal give them hard water to drink and have plenty of water of
easy access to them through the day. Be sure the vessels for food or drink
are kept clean, and to remove all vessels from the house at night. The taint
of the hennery is injurious. Three hours after breakfast give them the
second meal or lunch, the same as the first meal, also any portion of the
first that may be remaining at this time. They will not require but about
half, as at the morning repast. One will soon learn what is required for a
meal and govern himself accordingly. At twelve o'clock give a dinner of all
the oats they can eat. If any ave not consumed let them remain, but you
will soon learn what they can eat, and do not practice giving more than they
ean eat readily. For supper, which should be at time of going on to the
perch for night, give all the whole corn they can eat. ‘Let, oats, barley, or
buckwheat be substituted for corn during the short nights—say from first of
May until the first of September. In regard to this last meal it is desirable
the hen should have in her crop during the night what will be retained un-
til morning, as I have before stated, the moment the crop is empty she will
begin to be uneasy. Thisis to be avoided. Soft feed will not be retained
in the crop over three hours: the crop filled with oats will last six hours,

et

‘The same may be said of other grains excepting corn, which will last 12 hours.
I have come at these facts from actual examinations and am thus par-
ticular in describing the giving of the feed, simply that the hen may be kept
calm and quiet. On this much depends. Corn as a regular food for hens is
too heating and should never be fed only as stated, as a retainer during the
long nights six or seven months in the year. Another valuable food for hens is
tomatoes. For keeping them in a perfectly healthy condition there is noth-
ing equal to it.
CARE OF POULTRY IN THE WINTER SEASON.

It is important to get asmany eggs in winter as possible, the price being
double that in summer. To do this, it is not best to force them to lay in
July, August or September. This will prepare them for moulting early,
and they need a strong vitality at this time, for they have to make an entire
new set of quills, at this period: If the hen wishes to set during these
months, let her set on artificial eggs as long as she pleases, forcing her to
partake of food when she will not do so voluntarily. When thus sitting she
will keep in good condition with very little food. Especial care should be
taken she does not get infected with lice. This sitting will be rest for the
winter, preparing her for more active work. In the case of hens in winter, I
shall be pardoned for repetition. They must not be allowed to leave the
house when the snow is on the ground or in windy days. You will have in
the boxes pulverized charcoal, fine sand, as well as bone and flint stone.
Any cobble pounded to the size of corn is suitable; also oyster shells, ete.
Hang the beef's head so that when pecked at it willswing. This pleases
her, and exercise mentally is as neccessary to the hen family as to the human
family. By no means must the hen in winter be without occupation. Not
to waste feed, have boxes one foot wide, two long, and two inches deep, with
strips of lath rounded and smoothed at the corners, nailed over the top, one
inch anda halfapart. This not only prevents waste, but filth. Again, re-
member to remove all boxes at night. Never make use of broken or pounded
earthenware; it turns to clay in the crop. Also make no use of prepared lime,
either in the shape of old mortar or pure; it dries and parches the crop.

There should be at all times a box of early-cut hay of the best quality be-
fore them. This to be cut fine, not over + inch—long hay entangles in the crop.
Steam the hay if you wish by pouring on boiling water, but do not permit
them to drink this water, it is too astringent. A cabbage head hung in the
manner of the beef head is advisable. Heads of wheat or millet, barley or
rye can be scattered over the floor in small quantities to occupy their
time and keep them excited, or what is better a sheaf of wheat or oats hung
like the cabbage head, for them to fly at.

BREED OF HENS.

From two years’ experience with common dung-hill fowls and a great.

variety of grades and the few pure bloods before named, I will not decide

THOS. C. SMITH, Pres. SAM’L. L. McBRIDE, Sec. & Treas.

GATE CITY STONE FILTER CO.

Highest Awards at American Institute. N. Y.. 1885,

and at all Expositions wherever exhibited.

Endorsed by Boards of Health, Sanitary
Associations, Physicians and Scientists as the
Best, Simplest and most perfect Filter known
to the World. Is as easily kept clean as an
ordinary Water Pail.

It is the only filter that can be thoroughly cleaned
by simply brushing the surface of the filtering
stone. The filtering medium being a natural
porous stone will last for years, and for families
and offices it has no equal. No metal in these
filters to poison the water.

Our China Filters are artistically decorated, and
regarded as the finest ornament, as well as a filter,
that has ever been made. The world has not pro-
duced an article of equal worth to the human
family. It will remove all sorts of larva or spawn
of worms or insects, or strange loathsome animal-
cule, or impure floating matter, and renders the
water pure, healthy and drinkable.

This cut represents the s¢mple and common sense
construction of all our filters. Thereis nothing of
it but a natural stone disc and two jars. Noanimal

Al
Chall rin

SS §:6LChD CA charcoal, burnt sponge nor any other compound that

ay
\
|
)

retains the filth from water where by the least neg-
lect worms are generated; nor is there any com-
bination of Zinc, Iron and Lead to generate active
potson,

MANUFACTORY AND DEPOT AT

Union Porcelain Works, Greenpoint, N.Y.

OFFICE AND SALESROOMS,

839 Broadway, and 63 E. 13th Street, New York.

‘SNIOHDAT NMOU

pur
Mf ,

Me)
We
WL

Zt iy
TK
/ ty,
hihi

Midi

he fat
CAP Wh
Be
tl
if

Wh Uff y
MN
AN

2 2.
(ul Ges

zt

AN

Ze Za
ine
ANN
AN
on
ANY

i
554 Hy
Ut
Zo heat)
ebby

SSS

14

on any special breed; believing as I do that more depends on manage-
ment than on breeds. Yet the breed is a matter of importance to the prac-
tical poulterer. As a practical worker in the business, I decided on the
Brown Leghorn for layers and the Light Brahmas for sitting and culinary
purposes. I think the Brown Leghorn is more hardy than the White, yet
both are equally good layers. I believe if my brood of 140 had been all
Leghorns the net profit would have been much increased. She is a business
hen who devotes herself to her work. Her pullets, if hatched in April, or
even May, will lay through the winter. The cocks will mature in ninety
days fit for broilers, and should be disposed of at that age. Neither the
male nor female Leghorns are good for the table at a later period. They
are much attached to their attendant, are more sensitive and intelligent
than any breed I am conversant with; great feeders, laying a rich, solid egg,
eight to the pound. The light Brahma is to be preferred to all others for
eating when matured, and for a large fowl is extremely delicate and fine
flesh, is an excellent hen to set for hatching chicks, on account of its size
and warmth of body for brooding. To the negligent manager the particular
breed is of no moment. I am inclined to the opinion that blooded fowls are
best for all purposes. I mean pure bred, which I do not think applies to
animals; for them I prefer grades, except in swine, which I prefer pure, but
always breed with pure bred males; yet old breeds will be improved, and
new ones brought into being in the courses of evolution, for all of which we
must thank the fancy breeder and enthusiast iu poultry. I have always
noticed that hens of a solid color are the hardiest and best layers, and think
the fancy for yellow legs is only fancy. The dunghill has nearly gone out
of existence, and grades are the poultry of the day. Everyone engaged in
the poultry business (and in has become a business) should read some good
special publication upon the subject. Ascertaining what poultry publica-
tions there are in the country, procure a copy of each, and subscribe for the
one you think best adapted to your locality. Also, procure standard works
on the subject. For these last I prefer English or French authorities, as
less superficial. Yet American works are more progressive and inventive
and not as conservative. You will read much that is worthless, but you will
read much worth retaining. The beginner of limited means will wish to
ascertain what knowledge he can obtain before expending much time or
money. As before stated, with proper care any breed will pay. Neglected,
the farm has no greater curse. All engaged in it as a business will neg-
lect no means of information, advancing with its progress from year to year.
He will have a pride in his occupation, will not be diverted by outside issues,
respecting his work sufficiently to respect himself, ever remembering your
respect from others will be proportionate to your success. Enter into the
spirit of your occupation. Look on nothing small that has large results.
One hundred hens consume about the same amount of weight in food as

15

one cow, and cost about the same amount to purchase; no more liable to
disease; but if you lose one hen you lose but a fraction of your property.
If you lose your cow you lose a hundred hens in value. A hundred hens
will produce much more manure than one cow. A hen farm will not require
as much land, will not deteriorate in quality, while the dairy farm, in lapse
of time, will lose its virginity and run to forest. This may not be entirely
the fault of the dairy business, but the business has much to do withit. I
think the poultry oceupation is calculated to bring to the surface a person's
better qualities.

Who can but partake of the spirit of a brood of hens after eating their
breakfast? so happy, so noisy, like a bevy of school children just set free,
and generally more civil. I mean no ill will to the children. They have
not had the same watchful care I demand for your hens. But few realize
their responsibility, whether hens or children.

In former days the hen would lay but about 50 eggs in the season, now
they will produce twice that amount, and I claim this last amount will be
improved upon to that extent, that those engaged will not be satisfied with
less than four times the first product. Formerly, a dozen of eggs would
not weigh as much by 40 per cent. as now; were cheap in summer, in the
winter they were not to be had at any price. Now you have them fresh
throughout the year, are much firmer and richer than formerly. You very
quickly notice the difference in a basket of eggs brought from the bush and
those produced near the town where the facilities for progression are greater.

DISEASES OF EENS.

The diseases of hens are few, and generally result fatally from inattention
at the commencement. Nearly, if not quite all the ailments of poultry arise
from colds, improper ventilation, aggravated by bad food. Roup, the effect
of colds, is contagious, quickly discovered by a running at the eyes and nose.
The moment it is noticed the hen should be isolated from the flock. If,
after a few days, you find no more affected and this one does not improve,
killit. The loss is small and you may have saved the flock.

If, on the contrary, you find a number in the same condition, put them by
themselves in a warm, dry place, feed them with warm, soft wheat bran and
boiled beef. Let them have the water the beef is cooked in for drink, but
have it cold. Also, let them heave cold skimmed milk; no condiments or
seasoning, such as pepper, salt, or other astringents. Feed regularly three
times each day, staying by a few minutes, andif they do not eat remove the
food and try again. Be careful to remove all droppings when you feed;
permit nothing filthy to be in the room. Never drug poultry. Of all ani-
mated life, nothing suffers so much from drugging as poultry. Pip is
caused by obstructions in the crop, brought on by eating cooked vegetables
too hot—and they are always too hot—broken earth, which turns to clay,
long hay or straw, causing obstructions and made more malignant by causes

16

—_—»

named in roup. Treatment the same as in roup, with the exception of diet.
For food, give wheat or rye in the kernel and cold water for drink.
APOPLEXY.

For this there is, of course, no cure but a change of the evils it arises from,
viz., too rich food and flying from high perches; in this case the hen is gen-
erally found dead in the nest or on the floor in the morning.

FOUL LEGS.

This is caused by the hen trailing in wet grass, not keeping the house
clean from droppings, or by traveling in the soil; the dirt adhering to the
leg is cemented by the wet. It is not contagious, but the same cause that
produces it in one produces it in the entire flock, forming scabs on the legs
and feet, producing large protuberances which harbor vermin, ending in un-
fitting the hen for all practical purposes. It is easily cured by bathing the
legs in kerosene morning and evening.

Slipping eggs on the perch is caused by food or water of a relaxing na-
ture. Lard, tallow or fat meat will contribute to this. Fish, when fed in
large quantities will taint the egg. I could not get my hens to eat fish
when cared for properly. And now again in reference to meat: if fed to ex-
cess, you will discover fragments of it in the white of the egg. Soft shelled
eges are from some physical derangements, and not from lack of shell-mak-
ing food. The deformed thick-shelled eggs can be attributed to the same
cause. You might as well affirm a cow should eat hair, to give her calf a
coat, as that the hen should eat crude lime, to give the egg a shell.

Gapes in chickens are caused by worms at the root of ‘the tongue; are
easily removed by inserting the tip end of a quill to the nest of worms,
thereby scattering them.

VERMIN.

Another difficulty in the keeping of poultry is vermin. To most people
this seems insurmountable. I found this the least of all the trouble in the
management of poultry, yet hens will do nothing overrun with vermin.
There are two species of hen lice, those infesting the hen day and night, al-
ways remaining on them, and those that remain on the perch throughout the
day, feeding on the hen at night, after the manner of bed bugs. Of the two,
I think the night prowlers the most pernicious. The hen seems to have no
remedy at night ; in the day she can wallow in the earth, which she will do.
For day lice, bathe at the roots of the tail feathers, also the wing teathers,
on top of the head, and under throat, twice each month. If very bad, twice
a week. The night lice can be eradicated by removing the perches and
stand each month, supplying their places with a second set. Always have
two sets. Another method is to call the hens from the house on a pleas-
ant day and fumigate the house, first making it tight, burning one-half
pound of powdered sulphur, placing it in an iron kettle, burning at least
one hour. This will suffocate every living thing. Always remember that

17

prevention is better than cure in the multiplying of lice as well as in the dis-
eases of poultry. A disinfecting egg for nest egg is important. I used one
turned from wood, soaked in kerosene. One can be made from sulphur, car-
bolic acid and oil of cedar, compressed hard; the properties being brought
out by the heat of the hen’s body. About this nest egg, have it large like a
goose egg; a large egg really pleases the hen. It is on the same principle
the man permits his hens to get lousy that he lets his garden be overrun
with weeds—shiftlessness—and such a person should have no employment
requiring care and thought. In the morning clean up all droppings of the
previous night; put them in a barrel away from the hennery; mix no ashes
with them. These droppings, properly managed or sold for their intrinsic
value, will pay a good portion of the expense of keeping the flock. Spread
under the perches very day equal bulk of sand or loam as the droppings of
the night. Have the floor dry before spreading the loam.

The manure from one hundred hens, mixed with loam or sand as described,
will amount to ninety bushels yearly. For cold, wet soil, sand is preferable;
if to be used on light, sandy soul, then loam. We ascertained twenty bushels
of hen manure to be fully equal to ten cords of cow manure as a fertilizer. It
must not come in direct contact with the seed. It would kill the vitality of
any seed. It must be considered that the labor of cultivating a crop with
the droppings of poultry is much less than with stable droppings, taking in
consideration the cost of team work. <A hen farm of ten acres, with 100 hens
to the acre, would renovate an exhausted farm of 100 acres in a few years,
under competent management.

SALES.

If you have one thousand or more hens, and I see no reason why the busi-
ness cannot be extended to thousands, each hundred being kept by itself,
you had better sell your product by contract to the town dealer, You can-
not afford to huckster a large amount, and it detracts from the dignity of
your occupation. Hens should be fitted for market, with exceptional instan_.
ces, the third year, not including the year hatched. The second year will be
the most profitable for eggs (except in some large varieties). They will be-
ein to decrease in eggs the third year. I will say in this place that very
large varieties begin to develope their best laying qualities about the time
the smaller breeds begin to decrease ; but large fowls, like large men, are not
active workers. Commence selling the hens you intend for market about the
first of June. They need not be confined for fattening; dress them in the
condition they are in, select the poorest layers first, continuing weekly until
the first of September ; have them all sold at that time. Chickens will come
into the market then, and scarcely any one will buy old hens when chickens
can be procured. After disposing of the hens, confine separately in a yard.
what young roosters you have not sold earlier for broilers, which, if you
have consulted your own interest will be few, and sell before cold weather,

18

‘when they are transported from a distance. Youneed not shut your poultry
up in a dark place to fat them, neither should young roosters be allowed to
run with hens at the expiration of sixty days from birth.

In dressing poultry so as not to tear the skin, dip them in cold water.—
Have a barrel of cold water at hand, and on taking off the head plunge them
in the water, holding them with the hand until they cease fluttering, and on
taking them out the feathers will readily come off, leaving the skin smooth,
not puffing it as when scalded, and being much more readily sold under the
former method. Let the entrails remain until the fowl is cold, then they
can be extracted much cleaner. Remove the crop when you do the entrails.
Then hang in a dry place where the air can circulate through them, and they
will be better for cooking at the expiration of a week, than when first killed.
If your chickens are not permitted to perch young, and your perches are
three inches wide, you will have no deformed or crooked breast-bones; No
one should risk his reputation by sending a bad or second-rate article to
market. Another method of plucking the feathers from fowls is to tie them
up by the legs, inserting a small knife through the neck, separating the ver-
tebra ; while in the death throes the feathers will all scrape off. There is
nothing inhuman in this method, the bird being oblivious to pain upon the
separation of the vertebre.

BREEDING CHICKENS.

Before entering upon this subject I must say a few words upon domesti-
cation—I might say civilization—of the hen. A few Indians roam over large
territories to procure food sufficient for sustaining life, while civilized man
wants but little land to supply his wants. Five acres devoted to poultry,
under skillful management, will supply a family of six with all their wants
and many of the luxuries of life. A single brood of partridges will fly over
a thousand-acre forest to find enough to eat. But one hundred hens can be
supported on one acre of land.

The hen must be thoroughly domesticated to be of practical value. This
domestication is produced by your familiarity with her ; learning all her pe-
culiarities, she in the meantime learning yours; adapting yourselves to each
other, with this difference: you will make her think she has her own way,
when, in reality, she does not. We do not advise setting over nine eggs
under the hen; if the hen is small, seven are sufficient. Our reasons for
this are that the chicks will come out with stronger vitality, this vitality im-
proving as they grow older, from good brooding. A good foundation from
the start in everything, means the after success. The young chicks will ap-
pear at the end of twenty-one days. As soon as the young chicken lifts its
head up in the downy feathers of the mother, the lice gathered during the
setting will go for the young and tender chicken’s head. This should be at.
tended to immediately ; a couple of drops of kerosene oil or camphor will
drive them away. The first week chickens should be fed on hard-boiled

19

\
eges, sufficiently hard to crumble, and with corn bread, baked so hard you

can granulate it. After the first week omit the eggs entirely, having shallow
boxes of food for them to go to at will. For food, have the crumbled corn
bread, granulated beef scraps, bone and oyster shells, sour milk, with plenty
of fresh water always at their command. When thirty days old, omit the
corn bread, feeding corn-meal mixed with skim milk, diluted with water ;
also at this time give them wheat screenings, which contain various kinds of
seeds, giving them the same care as regards cleanliness as you do your lay-
ing hens. The chicken should not go on to the perch before the age of
three months, and the mother should be the judge as to time of weaning.

Let the hen with chickens be cooped the first four weeks; she will brood
the chickens much more. Care should be taken to move the coops every al-
ternate day. Also keep the brooding hens and chickens separate from the
laying hens. To break a hen from setting, confine her in an open coop
where she can see the other hens, and she will soon begin to sing, when she
can be set at large.

We have refrained from saying anything in regard to incubators, simply
from the fact that we have no practical knowledge of them, other than wit-
nessing their operations at the Madison Square Garden exhibitions in New
York. That they perform the work assigned to them well is unquestionable.
To us the only objection seems the after brooding. But we are assured by
those using them that the artificial brooding is equal to the brooding of the
mother. Presuming this to be so, then, for extensive operations, they would
be advantageous as well as economical. They are extensively used about
New York City for rearing early chickens to supply that market.

CONFINING POULTRY

Hens will not fly over any fence without first alighting on the top. Hence
the fence should have no resting place there. A picket fence 3 or 4 ft. high
will keep them in their limits. Should there be an unruly one, dispose of it
before it contaminates the flock.

A very good, cheap and efficient fence can be made from birch brush, such
as mentioned for covers in a former part of this work. A man can make 100
feet per day of this kind of fence, interlacing the slender twigs at the bottom,
the branches projecting upward from the top. They will not attempt to
rest upon them. Hens are never known to alight on the slender limbs of a
tree, as birds will. A wire netting 18 inches high for the foundation fence,
with the twigs of birches interlacing the meshes, projecting upward makes
a good, cheap and durable fence, with occasional repairing; it also pleases
the hens.

A family in the city can keep a bevy of a dozen hens to advantage in a
back yard of 300 square feet. They will be very productive, creating no
filth or vermin if you follow the details laid down; but unless one feels an

20

interest in poultry, he should not attemptit. In the city you should not raise
chickens, but the hens properly managed will keep you in fresh eggs.

The average farmer will speak depreciatingly of keeping hens. His only
idea of the business is a flock running at large over his premises, making
everything filthy they come in contact with, scratching his garden in the
spring and his grain as soon as housed in the fall. He cannot tell what
number he has; neither cares. He gets an egg if he can find the nest, and
some chickens for Thanksgiving if he can catch them. They are as antago-
nistic to him as he to them. Could he come to see the importance of this
business, he would appreciate it.

We intended saying, when speaking of chickens in another part of this
book, that it is not advisable to hatch them after the first of May, if you
wish for pullets to lay the following winter. If hatched early they will lay
the first winter, presuming the rules are followed as mentioned for breeding.

As no poultry moult the first season, the earlier they are hatched in the
Spring the sooner will they moult the succeeding season. When moulting
you will feed freely corn, sun-flower seed, buckwheat, meat, or any rich food,
without regard to their laying eggs, but change the feed when through moult-
ing.

In regard to the one-acre yard and single poultry house I occupied for my
hens. This, I think, could be subdivided into four yards, with twenty-five
hens in each, or eight yards with twelve hens each, with henneries propor-
tionately arranged, requiring but little more work in the case, and perhaps
enhancing the product. We also think a well-ventilated open basement or
cellar might produce more eggs in winter.

Chickens hatched in March and April should have a firein the room they
run in if there is any danger of being chilled. Care is very neccessary with
chickens brought out thus early to keep them improving.

We must apologize to the reader for omitting to make mention of the many
different breeds of poultry. As reporter for the American DatryMan we
have attended the numerous poultry exhibitions in Madison Square Garden,
New York, but have seen nothing to change our opinion as to the special
breeds to keep from those named in the earlier part of this work. Of over
fifty different breeds, those we should desire to experiment with,or rather
those we thought of the most practical value, were Plymouth Rock, Wyan-
dottes, Dominiques, Andalusians, Houdans and Dorkings. It is for those
engaged in the business to exercise their own good sense and judgment in
the prosecution of their work, never forgetting that minor details are not to’
be lost sight of.

It is said by most agricultural journals, poultry keeping, to be lucrative,
must be confined to small numbers; but itis to be remembered that special
agricultural papers are simply reflectors of public sentiment among farmers,
often made up of contributions from those who theorize without practice.

A young man of my acquaintance in Windham County, Connecticut, on -
being married, purchased ten acres of land, leasing a small cottage adjoining.
He, with the assistance of his wife, commenced the poultry business, divid-'
ing his land into ten lots of one acre each, having on each all the appurte-
nances for keeping 100 hens. At the time of visiting his place he had been
five years in the occupation, keeping a minute account of expenses and
income. Cheerfully showing me his books, we found his annual profits
were one dollar and forty-five cents per hen above all cost excepting the
labor of himself and wife, six hours at different periods of the day, but it
was light work. We could not but contrast the contented cheerfulness of
this couple with a couple in an adjoining town in the same county possess-
ing 400 acres of land, yet unable to get a living; but, nevertheless, view-
ing with contempt the hen business of Mr. M and his estimable wife.

The public have been made familiar with the enterprise of Mr. Hawkins
through the numerous poultry exhibitions at Madison Square Garden. Mr.
Hawkins has a very successful poultry farm in Lancaster, Worcester County,
Mass., keeping six thousand, in the gross, of special breeds, shipping them
over the country, and through this employment has acquired a competence,
also proving the fact that large numbers can be kept on the same farm.

France leads the world in its production of poultry and eges. She has
immense numbers of small farmers, proprietors or lease holders, who raise
poultry and eggs for exportation to London and other large places on the conti-
nent. Her people enjoy that supreme contentment and pleasure which can
only be derived from working the soil under the broad canopy of heaven,
having no more land than they ein work themselves without overworking,
having plenty of time to educate their children, forming and molding their
infant minds in such a manner that an impression is left which can never be
effaced. Such are the attachments of the French people to home, they have
no desire to emigrate. Her capitalists learned a lesson in the revolution of
1793. She learned in that and succeeding social convulsions, that there is
a limit to the endurance of man.

One last word to the mothers and children of the rural sections. In 1883
the poultry product of this country amounted to five hundred and sixty
millions of dollars. It was double the value of the dairy product and more
than double the value of the cotton crop. For this immense product
the country is indebted almost entirely to you. But you are not credited ;
do not even know the fact yourselves, your products flow from every hill-
side and valley. Shall the childven of farmers have a fair showing at home,
or shall they be forced to accept of employment as factory operatives, shop— |
girls or saleswomen, etc.? We have never yet seen the girl who would de-
sert home and home associations if home was made desirable and an oppor-
tunity given to advance herself there.

22

eE__—, _-_—-——

One more word to the wives and daughters of farmers, from one who knows
full well the trammels of their surroundings. To you the country is in debt
for its poultry and eggs. Without realizing the fact, you are driven to
this work from sheer necessity for means to supply the many things you need
and ought to have. At the present day the husband and father is battling
against the head-tide of monopoly in producing corn, wheat, beef and pork.
He has become unconsciously an aristocratic pauper. Should he have a
dollar extra above his wants he sinks it in a savings bank to be drawn by the
capitalist to corner wheat, or build up the city—money he should use to
beautify his own home and surroundings.

And now one word to farmers from one who is of them. The rules that
governed your fathers in their generation. are not the rules to govern you
in your generation. It was as impossible for them to know what your wants
might be as it would be for you in your manhood to wear the swaddling
clothes of your infancy. Ifyou can see where your parents erred in your
early training, see to it you do not commit the error in the training of your
boys. Give them some inducement to stay at home; take no advantage of
your legal right to twenty-one years, but let them have the freedom that will
make home desirable. Be a boy in your manhood, making a man of them in
their boyhood. One word to the boys and girls, and we have done. We
would not take from youth one jot or tittle of its joyousness. We can be
young but once; the morning is fresh the evening is weary. We wish you
to find real amusement in what will conduce to your mental and material
comfort. The two are inseparable. Never wish for what you don’t need,
because some of your mates possess it. Cultivate a taste for reading, and
all sides of a question ; avoid as much as possible all prejudice ; cultivate can-
dor and charity; inform yourselves of the world you know and see. In
your pursuit for knowledge travel the highway of science; get familar with
geology—you should know what the soil is formed of; astronomy—you
should learn something of the heavens you hear so much about; chemis-
try—it is necessary in these days of adulteration; botany—that you may
know about plants as well as see them; geography—you learn the earth’s
surface without traveling. All these studies lead you to think, give you
an inquiring mind ; make you nobler, purer, better.

GEESE.

The common goose was found domesticated as far back as when Cesar
first came to Britain, and has been a popular fowl for the table, its feathers
for beds and its quills for writing ever since. We well remember when no
other pen was in use but the pen made from the goose-quill.

The wild goose of America, which migrates from north to south, is a very
handsome bird, and will thrive and breed well in a domesticated state ; is
good for the table, and in all respects, we think, equal to the domesticated
goose of Europe under like treatment.

23

Its head, two-thirds of the neck, the large quills, rump and tail are black,
the back and wings are a light brown, the base of the neck and the under
plumage pale gray or white. There are a few white feathers about the eye.
A white cravat of a kidney shape forms a conspicuous mark on the throat,
the bill and feet are black. The above description of the wild goose we
jotted down while viewing a domesticated wild goose in Central Park.

When domesticated it ceases to be so strictly monogamous as in a wild
state.

The wild geese migrate in the spring north, returning in the fall to their
winter quarters. When they commence their journey from the south north-
ward early, the farmer knows spring will open early; if they commence their
return early in the fall, he knows the winter is nigh. Some years they begin
to migrate as early as the 15th of March, and to return as late as the Ist of
November. Other years their migrations may be three weeks later or
earlier. Their instinct in this respect is truly phenomenal. They fly in the
shape of the letter A, with a leader, in flocks of from thirty to one hundred,
making a very discordant noise as they pass. If the atmosphere is hazy
they will fly low, often within reach of the sportsman’s rifle, and sometimes
one is brought to the earth. They never fly over cities or villages unless
lost in the fog. We recollect the leader of a flock of about fifty being shot,
when the entire flock became so demoralized they turned about in their
course, alighting on a small pond in the vicinity, seemingly stupefied, and
were all captured in a few days.

The following season some lilies, of a bright red color, but in other respects
like the white lily, were found growing in this pond; the seed were supposed.
to have been deposited by the geese. It is be regreted that they were after-
ward destroyed by curiosity-mongers. Wild geese are exceedingly fond of
cranberries, and scatter these and other seeds in going over the country,
which, if congenial to the soil and climate, take root and become indigenous
to the country.

In a good pasture geese will nearly get their living. Turning their head
sidewise, they nip the grass off quite close and consume a good quantity.
The idea that nothing will feed after geese arises from the fact that nothing
can feed after them.They nip the grass so close that none remains until time
restores its growth. Different flocks of geese will keep distinct, and a good
feed of corn at roosting time will keep up the wish and willingness to return
home at night. The feathers have a high market value, and are taken from
the geese to save their loss at moulting time. At that time, the skin round
the shaft of the old feathers shrivels for want of nourishment, the moulting
feathers come away with a touch, and the poultry woman takes only tnose
that are ready to fall. If this process is not managed with the greatest care
and tenderness, it may be revoltingly cruel; but if it be confined to the re-
moval of the moulting feathers, it is less so than the goose-plucking we often

hear of. The goose house or shed need not be entirely closed. The roof
should be tight, so as not to let in the rain, and care should be taken to
perelude the cold winds on the geese at night. The floor should be dry and
the straw should be removed as often as cleanliness requires, and always
kept dry.

Geese are essentially vegetable feeders; they will eat any kind of grain, any
good quality of grass or any sort of garden vegetation. They are clean
feeders, and will not touch offal or animal food of any kind. If the geese can
have a pond at command within the day’s range, so much the better; but
they can do without it. The old geese require a little corn twice a day—a
mere sprinkle in the morning if they have the opportunity of doing much
for themselves, and a good feed at night. It is a good thing to feed the
breeding-stock well in the winter, to promote early laying and sitting, for
the chance of the goose producing a second brood the same year. At the
beginning of the breeding season feed freely plenty of boiled barley, corn,
wheat, or any kind of meal.

In mild seasons the goose will lay early. She should have a good, large
nest in a secure, quiet corner. She can cover about fifteen eggs at a sitting,
which takes thirty days. See that plenty of food and water are at hand for
her when she leaves the nest. She is a patient, good sitter and a good
mother. It is unnecessary to separate her from the gander when she sits,
as he will take an interest in her work and beas good a father to the goslings
as she is a mother.

The gander quite assumes his monogamous habits when the goose sits
and hatches, devotes himself to her entirely and puts forth his no small de-
gree of strength and vigilance in her defense and that of her little ones.
He is so good a defender that there is no better plan than to put the brood
and their parents into an inclosure together. The goose will not be inter-
fered with while she is hatching. If any attempt to meddle be made, she
only injures her brood intending to defend them.

The little ones may be fed on corn or wheat meal, with some cooling
green food chopped up with it, such as grass, parsley, etc. After a few
weeks you can feed any variety of meal with caution.

At first they should not be put out in the morning until the grass is dry,
and they should be housed early at night with a good bed of clean straw.
They are reared with little care or trouble, but where they have their rang-
es wild hemlock and poisonous night-shade should be destroyed. What is
known among children in the country as the pollywog is sure death to the
goslings ; the old birds are too wise to eat them. The young birds should ney-
er be allowed to fall off in condition, but kept up by constant good feeding
until wanted for the table or market. They can scarcely be too highly fed if
large size is desired.

bo
On

For breeding, allow three geese to a gander. Let them be of mature age,
and they will do well up to twenty years. If the season is early, they will
lay early in March, except in the Northern latitude where it will be a little,
later. They usually lay every other day, and if the eggs are left they will
want to sit when they have about twelve or fifteen ; but if they are removed
they will often lay a greatnumber. They will sit twice a year, and occasion-
ally three times.

In contradiction to the saying that nothing will eat after geese, it is well
known that their manure is excellent for improving the grass of coarse
meadow lands, and that cows relish the feed. It is a very powerful manure,
and is needed in but moderate quantities. When young geese are penned
up to fatten, from six to ten will do better together than a smaller number.
Feed them fora couple of weeks on cornin water, and finish their fattening
with meal. The house or inclosure in which they are put should be kept
quiet, dry, warm and rather dark. Before the time for their being killed, if
they are allowed to go in the water, they will be picked more easily, and
the feathers be better and cleaner.

We give the following account of a goose farm in Mansfield, Bristol
County Massachusetts, by George A. Stockwell and published in the
Agricultural Review, (Scotland).

A Goose Farm.
By Georcr A. STOCKWELL.

In a town of Mansfield, State of Massachusetts, is a goose farm— a farm of
sixty acres on which geese and ducks are fattened for market. As the num-
ber of geese is larger than that of the ducks, the farm is, in truth, a goose
farm. About twenty years ago, Mr. G. F. Austin, since associated with his
son, Mr. C. M. Austin, began to deal in green geese, buying the goslings in
spring, and hurrying them toward market plumpness as speedily as corn
and meal could make the transformation. The business has added to itself
until sixty acres in not enough, and other and larger fields must be found.

In April or the latter part of March, the goslings begin to arrive. They
are then three weeks or a month old, and were hatched in southern Rhode
Island, the greater number coming from Tiverton and Little Compton, and
the region round about. They have ample room for growth, and their ap-
petites are ministered to with care and regularity. The gosling is a hearty
eater, enjoys his dinner every half hour, if he can get it; has no digestion
troubles, and hence adds fat and tender muscle quickly, In this great
goose mill, the fledgling, the wingless gosling becomes a green goose in a
few weeks, perhaps not fully grown, but worth more per pound in the green
state than when the ripeness of full maturity is upon him.

26

Accordingly, the young geese begin to move toward market a few weeks
after they arrive, to take their places, anew and later crop comes to the farm.
The goslings arrive up to September and October, the later hatched gos-
lines coming from Canada. In the early history of the business, the pro-
prietor went to Canada, and bought, personally, all the goslings he could
find. Later, anagent on the ground collects the goslings, arranging with the
inhabitants in certain towns to rear and sell.

No attention is paid to the breed of geese. All the proprietor wants is a
goose-frame, and he will be responsible for its filling out. The flocks con-
tain, apparently, every known hybrid. There are individual specimens that
appear to be pure Toulouse, and brown and China geese. From Canada
come many “mongrels.” The mongrel is a cross between the wild and tame
goose, and, strange as it may appear, the mongrels are all mules. The
geese lay, but there is no germ of life in the egg, from which it may be in-
ferred that the wild goose is not a goose, but belongs to some other species
of aquatic fowls.

During the season 20,000 goslings came, and departed as geese. At one
time this year, there were on the farm 13,000 geese and 7,000 ducks all in
good spirits, and all singing their little song. Imagine 13,000 goose-screams
combined and added to the total sum of 7,000 duck-quacks. To the un-
tutored ear there is music in it, but the man who deals out the food, and is
with the geese and ducks constantly, exclaims, ‘‘ Noise? ‘I don’t hear any-
thing!” No, he doesn’t hear anything, for the same reason that an operative
in the room with a hundred looms going at full speed, does not hear any-
thing.

At this time of the year (near Christmas) the stock grows light, and by the
first of January, or soon after, the last goose has gone, and the goose ma-
chinery rests for two or three months. When the writer visited this goose
ranch, only about 4,000 geese remained, and of this number 2,000 were in
one flock. Did you ever see 2,000 geese together? The sight is worth a
five-mile walk—just what the writer paid. The members of the flock appear
to be governed by a common impulse. Now, all, or the greater number, sit
down, and thrust the bill under a wing (the day was cold), now they stand up
on one leg, drawing up the other to warm it, and now they have important
business at the other end of the pasture, and away they go, stretching and
craning their necks, some flying, and all running, and all making much talk
about it. They rest awhile, and then come back in the same hilarious man-
ner. The 2,000 came late, and are allowed to run, but before slaughter they
will be kept in small pens where they cannot race and run, and where they
can only eat and drink and grow fat. In twenty pens were groups of geese
undergoing the final process—the process of adding the triple or quadruple
plate of fat. From these pens they go to the coops, where they remain un-

bo
a |

til “empty” (they are not drawn), and then are delivered in turn to the exe-
cutioner, the picker, the washer and dresser, and to the packer.

What do they eat? Scalded meal is the steady diet, fed twice a day, and
whole corn once a day, three meals regular, and green stuff in its season,
between. The average amount of grain per day fed during the nine months
is thirty-six bushels. The cook and waiter has been in service six years.
A kettle holding ninety gallons is filled with water, and the water brought
to the boiling point. In a large trough near are seven bushels of meal, and
to this is added the ninety gallons of water. He mixes with a shovel, and
when cooled transfers to trays on a wheelbarrow. In summer the food is
given cold; in winter warm, but not hot. As soon as one“batch” is ready
another is prepared. When the eaters are more numerous, the cook can be
cook only, and another man waits on the goose tables. When corn is fed to
the big flock, a man takes a bag on his shoulder, and holding the mouth of
the bag, lets the corn run out as he walks. Then may be heard the rustle of
corn down two thousand goose necks. The scalded meal is placed in troughs
or shallow boxes, and a supply is at hand all the time. At the first meal in
the morning there is a general clamor, and every one of the two thousand
demands instant relief from the pangs of hunger. If food be present the
goose appears to be hungry every ten minutes, and helps himself.

In the goose pens and pastures there is nothing grown except the geese,
they have eaten, root and branch, everything that dared to grow, whether
mullens, thistle or grass. About thirty acres of green stuff was raised for
the geese. The oats were cut green, and without any further cutting were
dealt out as to cattle. Corn was raised for the same purpose, and fed
standing. When the corn was in the milk the geese were turned in. They
ate the corn, the eob, the stalk, leaves, everything above ground, and then
pulled up the roots. Nothing was left to indicate that a corn field had.
been there.

The farm plant consists of about a dozen different buildings, with a wind-
mill in the centre for pumping water. As the geese and ducks do not have
access to natural water sources, water must be supplied, and this is a work
of some magnitude, for no animal is so continually thirsty as a goose
or duck. There must be abundance for drinking, and for ducks at least
enough for bathing. The duck must have also mud, simply mud, a place
where the water stands and softens the earth. A duck on sandy soil,
where the rain disappears as fast as it falls, will not thrive. although sufficient
water may be supplied for drinking purposes.

About thirty men are employed throughout the nine months. In the busy
season seventeen pickers or pluckers find enough to do. Each picker can
“strip” forty geese in a day, but he must hurry, and has no time to spin
yarns or to exchange gossip with his fellow pickers. At the present time,
early part of December, two hundred and fifty geese a day are prepared for

28

market, and about eight hundred chickens, not raised on the place, are
dressed every week. These are drawn, but all the geese are sent to market
undrawn.

The raising of geese, or any other kind of poultry, is not difficult. They
raise themselves if food and proper care be present, but it is not always easy
to find a market at good prices for large quantities. The proprietors of this
goose farm have a store in Boston near the Quincy market as a distribut
ing depot for Boston and the East, but for the West and South, shipments are
made from the farm to three great markets, New York, Brooklyn and Phila-
delphia. A dealer in Fulton market, New York, has ordered two thousand
geese for the holiday trade. The demand exceeds the supply.

It is believed, or it has been said by some agriculturists, that the excreta
of geese was useless as a fertilizer. Let this fact stand against the state-
ment. The goose farm has become so enriched by the presence of the geese,
that the proprietors do not dare to use it longer, fearing it may be un-
healthful. Therefore, next spring, a farm of sixty acres, new land, near the
present farm, will be used for pasture, while the old farm will be devoted to
erops of forage, which will grow upon it luxuriantly. Ina few years the geese
will come back and the other farm will be cultivated.—Agricultural Review
(Scotland).

DUCKS.

Ducks are very hardy, easy to rear, and easy to feed as regards quality of
food. They will eat almost anything with appetite and relish. As regards
quantity, they are less easily satisfied, being decidedly great comsumers.
They will with tolerably free range, do much towards their own keeping,
foraging industriously on land and water.

Feeding twice a day, morning and night, is quite enough for the old
ducks, if they have liberty. Oats are the best feed for giving firmness of
flesh, and they are best thrown in water for them. A medley made of all
kinds of refuse vegetables and other kitchen scraps, with a little meal, is
good as a portion of their diet: they will eat boiled vegetables of all kinds
with especial relish. They help largely towards their own keep if they have
the opportunity, by eating all kinds of small reptiles and insects in great
quantities. They are useful in the garden for destroying insects, providing
it is at a time of the year when the hard flattening down of their tread is
not injurious to the plants. They will eat filth and garbage, but this should
be kept from those intended for cooking.

A shed with a water-tight roof and dry ground floor is sufficient house.
Tf the floor is damp, they are apt to break the eggs. However quiet the set-
ter may be, there should be convenience for shutting them in at night, as
the laying time approaches—about the first of April; if the season is early,
the first of March. If they are shut in every night at this time, they will
form the habit of laying their eggs in a nest, as they lay early in the morn-

29

—+

ing. They are very wandering layers, if no precaution is taken, dropping
their eggs about, even in the water. The appearance of weight behind,
swimming with their tail flat on the water, are indications that the time of
laying is near. The nest can be made of straw, on the ground; shutting
them up from intrusion while sitting, except at feeding time.

Ducks begin to lay early, and are generally good layers; will often con-
tinue to lay until commencing to moult. They do best with the use of a
pond, but will thrive with a small tank, if kept well supplied. Four ducks
to a drake is sufficient. They are too greedy, dirty and sloppy for other
kinds of poultry to be kept with them. Itis a mistake to rob the duck of
her privilege to set and rear her own little ones, for two reasons: 1st. When
judiciously placed, not unnecessarily interfered with during setting, or cir-
cumscribed in her ramblings with her little ones, she isa good mother, as
she was a good sitter. Rearing by a hen seems to bear out the old game
fowl breeder's idea of the sitter’s influence on the brood she hatches and
rears. We think all poultry, to be prosperous, should be reared by its kind
In addition, as the duck is an affectionate mother caring for the wellbeing of
her brood, there is no reason why she should be denied the lot universally
coveted by all living animals—maternity.

The duck makes known her wish to sit by keeping to the nest persever-
ingly, and shows her intention not to be interfered with pretty evidently by
bestowing a good peck with her hard, broad bill on any hand that ap-
proaches. She so much objects to interference, that in hers, as in all similar
cases, itis best to let her alone. When positively necessary to remove the
egos take her up and set her down on the outside of the door while the re-
quisite attention to the eggs or duckling goes on.

For a good-sized duck, from ten to twelve eggs are sufficient for a sitting.
Give her corn near her nest, and water convenient, that she may come off
and feed when she wishes. It will also do her good to bathe in the water,
imparting that warm moisture to the eggs which is favorable to incubation.
If the duck is a quiet one, the ducklings may be left with her as she hatches.
When you think some of the little ones have been hatched a good many
hours, some corn meal mixed with skim milk or warm water should be placed
before the duck. She will soon teach the little one to eat. When she
shows a wish to lead them out, she may be penned on the grass if the wea-
ther is warm and dry; otherwise, in a shed.

Two or more ducks may be penned together with their young, as they
never quarrel. For the first few weeks it is best the little ones have no
water to immerse themselves in. It is not best to wet the down at that age.
The mother should have a tub for bathing herself; a small mug for the little
ones to drink from, fastened so as not to turn over, and too small to get in-
to. They can then bathe and wash their breasts, but cannot wet the down
about the abdomen. Their supply of water should be often renewed.

30

Ducks, old and young, should have a good bed of straw, or anything that
is dry will do. The eggs do not keep as well as hens’ eggs, and should be
set fresh.

The fattening of ducks is no difficult matter, they are so willing to aid in
the work themselves. They will fatten at large with extra supplies of food,
or they may be shut up for the purpose. Corn meal, cracked corn, or indeed
any variety of meal will answer the purpose of fattening. Nothing fattens
so easily as the duck. We give the names of the breeds of ducks which we
should select to breed from: Aylesbury and Rouen; these are the only breeds
we have had experience with. Any one living near a small pond can make
the breeding of ducks exceedingly profitable. Wild ducks are common all
over the country. We are familiar with them on our native river; have found
their eggs, set them under a hen, scarcely ever failing to hatch them. They
will fly away the first opportunity in the fall, which is the best part of the
business. They are small and ill-flavored when cooked; and if it can be call-
ed sport to hunt and kill the most harmless of all birds living, then that
must be their redeeming virtue. But one must get nearer to them than we
ever could to shoot them on a river. Ona pond or lake they can be shot as
they rise. They fly in a single line, like Indians on the warpath.

TURKEYS.

‘When America was first discovered the wild turkey, among other hitherto
unknown birds, was found. It has now been under domestication for so
long a period that the wild seems almost a distinct race. The wild is fast
disappearing. It was formerly plentiful from Maine to California. It was
migratory, keeping in flocks, yet irregular, without the systematic order per-
taining to wild geese. In autumn the gobblers would congregate in flocks
of ten to one hundred, seeking their food apart from the hens, who still
kept with their broods. The season of courtship would commence about
the first of March. In April the hen would arrange her rude nest, which was
generally a collection of withered leaves well concealed by brush-wood, sey-
eral hens often laying in the same nest, always keeping them well covered
with dry leaves. The wild hen lays but one litter of eggs in the season and
will choose dry, undulating ground as a range for her brood; yet, in a dry
season, the stock of wild turkeys are much more plentiful than in a wet
season, which is an evidence that the wild cannot endure damp more than
the domesticated. At about two weeks old they begin to roost on branches
of trees still brooded by their mother. Their food is strawberries and other
wild berries, grass-hoppers and other insects. By the month of August the
young birds use their wings and legs vigorously, congregating in companies
of several broods together until after the October migration, when the males
separate from the females. For the foregoing description of the wild turkey
I am indebted toa former resident of North Carolina

31

The old: birds among our domestic turkeys are extremely hardy, not sub<
ject to disease, requiring but little care beyond feeding, shelter from rain
andagoodrange. The young are extremely tender, requiring constant atten-
tion to make them prosper. There is a wonderful difference in temper and
disposition between the male and female turkey. The cock is arrogant, ireful
and implacable. The hen is gentle, good-tempered and good to her little
ones, sometimes treading on them from her awkwardness.

Turkeys do not attain full growth and maturity until they moult after they
are two years old, and for this reason should not breed until after that pe-
riod if you wish for first-class birds. The hen should sit on the first litter
of eggs she lays in the season, that they may have the best of the year to
make their growth. The cock is generally spiteful to the hen and their young
ones, and is not necessarily needed after the early part of the season, and the
egos of the hen are fertilized. The entire clutch of eggs are fertilized at the
first intercourse. One turkey cock can serve for an entire neighborhood. He
is in his prime from three to seven years, or even ten years. In breeding tur-
keys, more than any other fowls, first-class birds should be selected. Their
plumage should be black; yet russet is not undesirable; but never breed
from white plumage. In the domestication of turkeys, the hen should be
watched when about to make her nest, and with a little humoring, will make
it where you desire. Make her a good solid bed of straw and dry leaves in a
snug, secluded spot, giving her a nest egg. When she seems anxious to lay
shut her in until the egg is laid, and for the first two or three times, after
which she will keep constant on the nest. Remove the eggs as they are
laid, only leaving the nest egg. Keep them ina dry place of medium tem-
perature until she wants to set, when they should be placed carefully under
her. She is a steady setter; will scarcely leave her nest to take necessary
food, and should be lifted off for that purpose if going too long a time. The
person she is familiar with should attend her. She should never be disturbed
by others, or meddled with unless breakage or any other unfortunate accident
makes it necessary to arrange the nest. Presuming all to be right, the young
ean be looked for in twenty-eight or twenty-nine days. If she has been a nice
quiet setter, leave her young with her, only removing the empty shells, but if
she has been fidgetty, remove them, keeping them warm until all are hatched,
but the mother warmth is best when she can be trusted. The domestic-
ated bird will sometimes lay and hatch a second brood, but it is not desirable:
they require too much care, and are never hardy, contending with the chilly
mornings and cold nights of Autumn. The young turkeys are extremely
delicate, and this continues through the first six weeks ; until then they must
not be neglected. At first the little ones should be fed on hard boiled eggs,
chopped fine, mixed with bread crumbs, young onion tops, lettuce, nettle and
parsley. Give their water in shallow pans to avoid wetting the down. As
they get older feed corn meal boiled in milk, cracked corn and milk curd. They

32

must be constantly well fed from the first, so as to never lose condition: for
if they once get poor they can never be restored. The most important thing
of all is to never let the little turkeys get wet or damp. Keep them in in the
morning ‘till the dew is off the grass, put them up before the damp of the even_
ing, and never let them out in the rain. Farmers wives rear turkeys success
fully by strictly obeying the above rules.

The young cocks shoot the red about nine weeks from hatching. This is a
critical time, and they will require rich and nutritious food, which should be
continued. They must be kept plump and never allowed to shrink until ready
for their destination. The turkey will not fat perfectly until matured. Even
the few weeks intervening between Thanksgiving and Christmas show the
superiority of the latter, The most perfect turkey for the table is the hen
who has lived over one season and brought up her brood. Cramming turkeys
to fatten them is much practiced. We hardly see the necessity for this pro-
cess, if the turkey has plenty of good feed mixed with skim milk sweetened
with cheap molasses.

Turkeys will make a fast and great growth getting extremely fat if the
season is what is termed a grasshopper year. Grasshoppers seem to be the
natural food of the turkeys. We have never known but one turkey in our
long experience to be puny, and that was a late-hatched one and we must con-
sider them the hardiest of all the poultry after getting beyond the ten weeks
named, when the males show the red.

The turkey is a peculiar bird in some respects. In driving them they will
not run under a fence, are always looking up, yet alone by themselves will
quickly discover any loop-hole. Sixty years ago speculators in Vermont
would buy large droves of turkeys of many thousands, driving them on the
road to Boston market like cattle, a team leading them scattering corn on the
way, endeavoring to be near trees before nightfall. Early in the morning
they would come at call to pursue their journey. A peculiarity of the hen
turkey is she willset continuously for a long period, if the young are removed
from her as they are hatched and fresh eggs placed under her. We have
known of their setting three months and their setting six months voluntarily
has been affirmed. When sitting in this manner they become very fat, con-
suming scarcely any food. Every farmer should certainly raise at least a
dozen of turkeys for his own table. It is this thoughtfulness about little
things that leaves an indelible impression on the family circle.

‘SVIAAHVUd LHOIT

Sa a5) W
see EON tN
PUAN

WwW
XN
Ma Me!

ne

GIRLS are wanted in every country town
to sell this work, to whom a liberal discount

will be made.

Address, GEO. M. DAVENPORT,

Aome a Pat’d by A. G. HULBERT, Jo
Made / iM) : as we
Net 1 Dy St Louis: Mo-g af oa 3.

NA

===

*.G HULBERT, 904 Olive St., ST.
Fencing Furnished Farmers For Factory Figures.
as Write me before buying, and save store profits

ChiGkiite

Pay, but they must be managed right to be
profitable. If you keep only a dozen, or a thou-
sand hens, to know how to care for them in
Health, Cure Diseases, Rear Chicks Build Coops,
Breed Fine Birds, etc., you want the

Practical Poultryman and Farmer,

A large Illustrated Monthly Magazine, devoted
ve the interests of Poultry, Pigeons, Pets and the
arm,

TOM.W. INDER, Managing Editor.

It is the LARGE-T FIFTY-CENT PAPFR IN THE
Worup. Sample Copy 5 cents. ‘‘ The Dog and
How to Train Him,” the largest and best book on
the Dor ever published. Finely illustrated «ver
100 pages. More regarding the Origin, Rearing,
Keeping. Training and Management of Dogs than
can be had in any other book. Price 25 cents, or
the paper one year and the book for 65 cents. We
want good agents to work for us. Big Pay.

Live Stock Job Printing.

We make a specialty of all kinds of live stock
and poultry printing. Over 1,000 cuts to select
from. Send for estimates.

The Practical Poultryman atd Farmer,

Warsaw, Indiana.

Truth Seeker, Office, 838 CLINTON PLACE, N. Y.

The Creat Farm, Industrial and Stock
Periodical of the South.

Jt embraces in its constituency the intelligent,
progressive and substantially success ul arm-
ers of the South, and as an advertising medium
or the Merchant, Manu acturer, Stock Raiser
and Proiessional Man, is ABSOLUTELY UNRQUALLED.
Space udiciously employed in its columns is al-
ways remunerative.

Advertisements, perline, - - - -. 30.
Subscription, perannum, - - - $1.50.

Address, CULTIVATOR PUB. CO.,
P. O. Drawer 8. ATLANTA, GA.

The Franklin Publishing House

Is the Leading Book and Job Printing,
Blank Gook and Electretyping
House ir the south, bo

CONSULT US BEFORE PLACING ORDERS.

JAS. P. HARRISON & CO.,

2 W.H son, 32 & 34 W. Alabama &t.
Gro, W; Haneros: ATLANTA, GA,

$1,500 O00
Lost Aunnally by Cholera and Roup.

I have a Sprctric for Chicken
Cholera and Roup. Any reliable Poul-
try Association that will make a
practical test of its merits, and give
me the benefit of the test by a testi-
monial,I will furnish, REE, SUFFICIENT
Speciric for same.

W. W. GARIG,

Breeder and Dealer in
Thoroughbred Poultry, Dogs, Scuth-
ern Song Birds, etc.

Box 170, BATON ROUGE. LA.

CHICKENS
ARTIFICIALLY
HATCRED AND BASED.

Are much stronger and healthier and attain a
larger growth at an earlier age than when hatched
by the na! ural method, provided they are hatched
and raised by the

PERFCT HATCHER AND BROODER,

which is conceded to be the only reliable and
successful apparatus in the world for this purpose.
The past year we have won the Gold, Silver and
Bronze medals over all competitors at all the lead-
ing exhibitions, such as the Cincinnati Exposi-
tion, the American Institute, the Madison Square
(N. Y.) Poultry Show, the greatest ever held in
America this year of 1884. The Cincinnati Ex-
position offers us the choice of location in their
buildings, and go to an expense of $1,210 to pro-
vide extra facilities for our exhibition. This is an
extraordinary offer. something never before of-
fered to any exhibitor. Chickens can be hatched
and raised for broilers up to three months of age
for fc. per lb. or 12c. each; therefore it it easy to
see that

MONEY IS RAPIDLY MADE

with small capital invested. A first-class mar-
ket exists in every important section of the
country, and can never be overstocked. For
further information apply to

PERFECT HATCHER CO.,

ELMIRA, ®. Y.

A FORTUNE
Raising Poultry.

SUBSCRIBE FOR

The OHIO POULTRY JOURNAL

And Learn How.

A large and beautifully illustrated Monthly, de-
voted to Poultry and Pet Stock. It is full of
practical suggestions, and its correspondents are
among the leading breeders of the country. It
has one page devoted to the management of Bees.
Price, $1 per year. Sample copy will be sent for
only STIX cents in stamps.

ROBERT A. BRADEN,
PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR,

DAYTON, 4 OHIO.

GAVE CITY STONE FILTER.

Gold Medal and dala Awards at World’s Exposition.

The filtering medium is a natural , porous stone, so close in its texture

that no animalcule or other small impurities can enter its pores.

It re-

moves all kinds of spawn of worms, or insects and impure floating matter

and renders the water pure, healthy and drinkable.
ot Health, Sanitary Associations, Physicians and

Endorsed by Boards
Scientists as the best,

simplest and most perfect filter and purifier, and is as easily kept clean

as a water bucket.

Gate City Stone Filter Co.

Write for price list.

New York City,
April 25, 1885.

GENTLEMEN:—The great danger from impure water arises from the presence of living

organisms of a very low order, and these are

sbsolutely unable to pass through the stone.

Careful microscopical examination of the stone after it has been in use and then broken,
shows that all solid matters are excluded, none of these penetrating beyond the surface.
T have therefore no hesitation in expressing my belief in both the durability and efficiency
of your filter.

Very truly yours,

Prof. JNO. PHIN, Ed. Am. Journal of Microseopy.
Gate City Stone Filter Co.,
839 Broadway, New York.

Pa

eos

19 ot Tepe
Ad tae |

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

|

|
Mee I
@ 202 866 813 2@