The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-02-24
Hens in Winter.

| Hens lay well in warm weather, ifthey
have any reasonable chance for theii
lives, because they can procure all the ele-
ments essential to life and tho Formation,
of eggs. But in winter they cannot do
this, and if yOn do not provide for them,
the eggs will be wanting. In the warm
season they can obtain all tile vegetables
they need; they are busyin hunting and
devOuring every insect that crosses their
path they secure lime to form the she'll
Of eggs from numerous sources; they have
access to all the sand and gravel they re-
quirc for digestion they find plenty Of
pure water; and in addition to all these,
find n good bath. by which they rid them.
selves Of vermin.
Bnt in freezing weather they are cut off
ut once from this supply, and are left
wholly. or chiefly, to shirk for themselves,
and as consequence lay no eggs. There
is no use Of attempting to reason the case
with them, or getting ont of temper, be-
cause they won't do it, and that's the end
ont. But look at the subject like a phil
osopher, aud ascertain what will place
them in u summer condition, then 70 to
work and furnish the means and as there
is o compromising principle prevailing ma.
tnre, you will lind it developing Itself
here. Z - - l. = -
-. AOu uuu UCSUCA OCsIu ibu a DCduClIul
thoroughbred variety, as fancy goes very
far in our attention to any object, aud es-
pecially to poultry. The next thing is to
provide warm, clean, snn-lit quarters.
The form of poultry-house is matter of
taste, but it must have these elements of
comfort. Sunshine is great invigontor
of all animal systems. POultry-hOuses
should have glazed fronts, and face tow
ards tho southeast 30 AZ to get the morn
ing sun. : ',-s.- = i4-S IT.
Hens need variety of food. No one
kind meets their necessities. Corn, oats
and buckwheat mixed are better than Ell
Their alone, but whole grain should be Civ
en- them only in small quantities. Boiled
or scalded buckwheat and oatmeal, made
rather thin, is economical, nutritious and
healthy. Boiled potatoes. refuse apples
and parings boiled and mixed with wheat
bran are very fine raw, not boiled, cab
bage, chopped fine, lettuce and any other
green vegetables, are highly relished.
Fresh meat, fat triers-greaves and any
fresh refuse meat from the table, supply
the place of worms and insects. Bones,
oyster and clam shells, pounded fine, old
mortar, air-slacked lime furnish material
for shells, sand and gravel for digestion,
dry sand and wOOd-ashes to wallow in.
Fowls accommodated in this way, will
lay nearly or quite as we'll in winter as in
summer.
The orohariists Of Wisconsin. in adopt
ing q scale Of points by which to deter
first, because without this all other merits
are valuless. Tho 'Liberian crab-apples, SO
little valued elsewhere, are profitable va
rieties at the Northwest because the trees
are hardy. A few of the Russian apples,
snch as Duchess of Oldenburg. Red Astra-
chan Tetofski, aud on occasional native
Seeding, will thrive in the more Northern
localities. There are also localities in the
Middle States that are subject to late
spring frosts, which often destroys the OPP
pie blossoms, and to escape such a calanii-
ty, late blooming varieties, like the
Rawles Janet, are selected in preference to
others From these few hints, it must be
apparent to others, well rs ourselves that
there are many circumstances to be taken
in consideration. before We should decide
upon the varieties to be planted for profit
Our readers may ask where the desired in
can be obtained, and we reply,
from those who have experience in the
different localities, and have recorded the
same in the transactions of the various
and agricultural societies
throughout the country. For instance ifa
man wishes to plant an apple orchard in
Northern Illinoes, he has but to :, ser to
the reports of the Northern Hines Horti-
cultural Society, to find tue names Of all
the varieties that have, proved valuable
after thorough trial. In all the North
ern States, similar SOCIETIES exist, and 9 man
has no excuse for going to work blindfol-
ded, although We will acknowledge that
it requires some pains taking to look up
the desired information.
Probably the best genealogical school in
the world is the New York markets, for
here q man can find all kinds of fruits, and
if he is persevering, he can learn where
they come from and the relative value of
each. The markets Of other cities furnish
similar opportunities for ascertaining the
best fruit regions, and the most profitable
varieties, and if q man wishes to engage in
any particular branch Of fruit culture, he
has only to locate where others have beeu
and are successful.