Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-09-08

From the Plow, Loom and Anvil.
The Poultry.

AT this season OF the year, when every
preparation should be made for the comfort
of all domestic animals, the comforts of
the poultry family should receive very
liberal share Of attention, inasInuch as
there is no stock, that any sockholder can
keep, that will pay so wei; for the capital
and labor invested as biped tribes.
To insure the bes' returns during the
winter months, the season when they can
be more profitable than any other. it is
necessary, in the first place, that they should
be provided with warm and dry shelter; in
the second they should have constant sup
ply of good nulrItve food If this last is Civ
en- in quantities to lie by them, no waste
will follow, al d consequently no additional
expense will accrue We have been in the
habit, during the cold season, of keeping "A
box of grain where hens, &c, could have
access to ii at any time; and have found
to our satisfaction that they can be winner.
ed on less amount of food 10 this way
than when they are allowed to ramble for
it, or it is doled out to them in handfuls at
seasons of convenience By keeping corn
in good supply within their reach, we
have marketed i, at more than dollar a
bushel, when the common price was seven
ty cents, taking pay in eggs, which in win.
ter always turn to cash at a fair price, and
have sold them other grains at the increas.
ed ratio.
Yet we would by no means confne theil
living to gram. especially that in whole OF
uncooked condition. Meat, the refuse o
the table, or from The butchers, may be
given to them to good advantage. 1t should
however, be boiled, in order to being more
dgestibe Cooked potatoes, given warm
for an occasional change. we have fount
highly beneficial; also, meal, cooked o
warmed IN Just water enough to give it ;
consistency.
We always allow lime in good quaint
ties to lie IN our hen.house. The import
ance OF this in the formation of the shell
is fully known; aside from this, its health
fuInesS as condlment may be fully infer
red from the manner in which they dcvou
1t. A neIghbor Of ours, who is nice in heI
matters, few years since finished off
room in comfortable style for their winte
accommodation, lathing and pIasterng thu
sides and overhead They had scarcel,
inhabited the tenement six months befor,
the plastering was all devoured. The lin,
and sand were probably the cause of this
aud had both been placed in abundance,
within their reach. the plas,ering would II,
doubt have remained untouched. Ashes 0
fine dry earth should also be placed within
their reach, that they may allow their wal
lowing propensities in winter as they s.
naturally do IN summer.
The poultry hocse should also be a qni
ct, retired place Noise and interference
of other animals is very annoying to al
the ieathered tribes, especially TO those q
domeslicated habits
Fowls should not be allowed to randi
in winter, especially if the day is cold O
stormy: and in such days IT they are lie
out at all, it should be near night. fall whe
they will be sure to return soon.
In the arrangement of the poultry.honse
special regard should be paid to saving til
manure. This is the true guano. which e,
cry farmer may possess, in moderate quan
titles, to be sure, but none the less valua
BILE Its actual value is beginning to be be,
ter understood than formerly, but not so we
now but that many farmers allow their pou
try to roost on fences andtrees, where it
all lost; while many more, who save
through the winter, sell it for mere ri,
lance, or give it to their more dscernin
nelghboT for clearing out the hen roost.-
Now we possibly believe that bnshel ,
hen manure is cheap 10 the farmer at
shilling, IN any currency that may he rech
oned where these remarks are read |
proof OF it we give some experiments mad
in its application.
A farmer of our acquaintance pulveri7
ed, by threshing with common fail,
quantity of it; after which he added a
equal quantity Of ashes, and one fourth a
much gypsum. A single handful of lhi
compound was placed in hill for corn tn
result was, heavier crop than where wei
rotted stable manure was placed ia Iibert
quantities. The same compound we hav
found valuable for peppers, tomatoes, vines
and indeed all garden vegetables it give
them quick, healthfu growth. And thi
same compound, sown on turnps, vines
and other plants infested by insects in tn
early stages of growth, when the leaves ar
wet, is sure to rid them of these annoyan
ces. But we have said enough to show i,
value, and here we leave il for the farme
to carry out IFS application to such crop
and in such ways as he sees best WI
Elm~ood, Mass, NOu. 18th, 1862.