Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-07-25
Practical Hints.

Under the above heading correspond
ent, one of the prominent citizens
of our county, has furnished US the fol-
lowing communication, which though at
first reading may be thought lightly Of,
treats upon a subject which, has alb
sorbed good deal Of attention among
agrcultuists, and caused no little
amount of ill-feeIing between neighbors
and friends. 1t will well repay peru
sal,
Editors Rutland Herald A great variety
Of practical matter finds its way into
the newspapers, and through the medium
of their circulation, is daily and weekly
served up and out to an enquiring pub
lie. Parties and principles are thus
scanned and sifted to the comprehension
of the masses, and issues and policies
pulled and disseCted according to the
skill and genius of editors, or in har-
mony with the keeping and tastes, in
terests Of aspirations Of correspondents.
Agricultural and financial questions re-
ceive liberal share Of thoughtful inves-
LEGATIONS, and moral religious and So
cial dissertations appear at every corner,
and occupy prominet places in the pub
lie prints, The world really is progress
ing, and the popular pulse beating high
to the tune Of universal suffrage and ma
tional reconstruction.
But the all important and deeply en-
crossing subject of Hen Scratching seems
to have escaped public notice, and full,
free and unrestricted indulgence of that
fearful propensity, been allowed and
tolerated in the community without
even a solitary rebuke. Perhaps the
theme is too vital in its character, or
the points involved too delicate in their
bearings and relations to our personal
and private interests, to be approached
by argument, or confronted by investi-
! cation. 1t is true, Barnum figured
largely and prominently In the science
| of hen culture, and the world may some
day fully appreciate and reward his la
! bors. But his efforts, like the efforts OF
others who have engaged in similar en-
terprises, were confined to the introduce
ton and propagation of particular
breeds, and to the diffusion Of clear and
accurate Information in reference to
their peculiar quail ties. The ease with
which some varieties are fattened, the
size and number of eggs they deposit,
together with symetry of form and large
bodily proportions under full growth
and ample feeding are points and con,
siderations Of much value to producers
and items of very great Importance to
the public. So well and thoroughly
posted however, are the people in rela.
ton to these matters, that no further
light is deemed necessary to guard and
protect them in hen speculations.
In relation to their depredations by
scratching no measures have hitherto
been taken to wake up and impress the
public mind with the great magnitude
of the evil Some bold and enterprising
reformer should take the field, and en-
deavor at any cost of time and treasure
to rid the world Of causes and agencies
the existence and operation Of which
are so blithing and destructive to the
peace and the happiness of man
Whether important or immaterial, SO
lOng as the consequences Of their favor
tie indulgence are equally bsneful and
deleteriOus, and equally subversive Of
both fireside comfort and domestic tran,
guilty. Motive, admit, has something
to do with criminality. A vicious act
may be softened or intensified according
TO the circumstances OF its preparation
Bat as to hens ripping up and tearing
our field and gardens as they do, prostrat
ing, laying waste and making desolatt