, 1873-01-13
THE FARM AND GARDEN.

Poultry Isaistng, Not According TO thc
books, BEt ny We Find 1t OH thc Farm
--The He.t Brecds--Thc Eccdlne Oh
Pou1trY.-Turkeys and Ducks--Gufn~
ca Hens "A Poultry Noatse - the
Chicken Cholera--EAccpi1:s III Large |
Elocl8a--Of the Profits. !
From Our Agricultural Correspondent.
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.,, Jan. II, 1879
THE POULTRY QUESTION.
1t tho last meeting Of the Savoy Farmers'
Climb. the above subject Was under consideration.
It had never been my good fortune to hear this
subcct 80 practically set forth in all its bearings
ae at this meeting. Without going into the de-
tails of the discussion, will, therefore, sketch
up the leading points.
TIE BEST BREEDS.
The best breed for the farmer is mixed breed,
or c1oss between the common stock and some
of the distinct breeds, or what poultrymen cali
fancy The object Of this is to prevent in-and-
in breeding, or that tends to degenerate our
barnyard fowls at rapid rate. All OIL tno
fancy brecds, except small game ana
Brahmas, wero commended and the only oo-
lection to tho last-named WIS from bad habit
in setting and not making good mothers. LIE
| hens are heavy and clumsy, and liable to break
many Of their eggs in setting. At the same
time, strong dash Of blood from this breed Is
a good thing to keep up size; but the pnre-orea
| Brahmas arc only desirable Tor croas, anu tnA'
only at long intervals.
One fnrmer had been in tho habit Of making
a new cross annually, by the purchase OF .
ec+tinc of pccs from some well-deined breed,
and he has become well satisfied that this is the
best course to be pursued, as it is GER
tain to give him good, healthy chicks
and plenty of eggs. Six years ago, ho
started with lot Of common fowl, and
his first effort ut Improvement was with
| the large breed Of game-chicke. The hens
proved 6rst-rnte layers, excellent mothers and
ready to give battle to any stranger, cat, or dog,
that dared to invade tho poultry domain. Among
his best layers are four hens Of that cross. The
| Doninick and other largo breeds have taken
turns. and will no doubt continue to do go. Az
ter supplying family OF Eve persona, his sales
Of eggs have been from $50 to $50 year. Other
members corroboratcd this statement, and 1t
may be taken as tho sense Of the Club in regard
to the value Of select breeds for the farmer WHO
raises chickens aud eggs, first for family use,
and q small surplus for market. The next topic
was
TIE FEEDING OF POULTRY.
After detailing great variety Of practices in
this connection it Was decided that the best plan
to feed, with the view Ut eggs and 9 due regard
to economy, WAS to give dry corn,-that is. to
have supply Of corn at all timea within reach
of the poultry. The next step is to feed meal
and bran, or shorts, once or twice day. This
feed is placed in suitable dish or trough, and
then boiling water is poured on it.-stirrlng It
up at the same time, and allowing the chckena
to take it warm. Sometimes it is thusfed morn
ing and night, but more commonly once day
; During cold weather, this WARM feed Is con-
: sidered Indispensable. Sometimes meal n Il
made INTO Rr haspaabne @xag tben anu mixture gtu oi
bran with the meal ia considered more
valuable. Old mortar or limo should !, be
kept in the house during the winter, when the t.
and crumbs from the kitchen, hog -ivers at Kill.
ing time, lard-ecraps, and young calves that are
kiiled for their hides,-known rs deacons,-al
Of these should be fed to them freely In ths
! summer corn as usual; 1obbered-milk, that is,
thick ilk,-and this is improved BY heating, 81
| is done in ng.cheeso-cn1ds. Hot whey OF
meal or, what is better, bran and meal mixed il
recommended for chickens and summer feed fol
, the hens.
7 Another important matter Of feed is to allow
the poultry the range Of the garden and the farm
! | II fed in the 1nannor set forth, it was cumec
there will be little disposition to scratch up the
bods; but they need place to ro1 N tae % aitt IT
and that should be spaded mp and rnked tirIn 10
this purpose. That lot OF IL. fed hons will d<
, domace in the garden is quite certain; but
: when properly fed, and good, warm, sunni; !;
t place provided for rolling in tho dlrt, tney Wll
{ prove useful in feeding on bugs and worms 9
: all kinds, and, at the same time, this feed
= usef11l to aid them in laying. Thoro was nothnl
said in regard to the shutting up Of tne hens III IL
!, garden-naking time, as that il one OF the mos
i absurd ideas that could enter tie cfanlun o1
; reasonable farmer.
' TURKEYS AND DUCKS.
e Turkeys and ducks arc not popular Eith th
+ ordinary farmer. The turkey has such decide
: disposition, not only to ramble over tho home
: farm. but to encroacl upon tho neighbors, tha
Y he is no favoritc. Only one member OF tho Clu
9 spoke in their favor, and he with some reserve
II the turkeys are pettcd about the house, it ma
bo possible to hold them in check, mud to kee
them within bounds. From the remarks nadt
q should infer that no farmer hGs any buslnee
9 With turkeys, unless his wife or some member
4" the family can give them particular attention
10 s'Ihe Farm and Garden mas dehpe1ate!y Placg Pet
= poultry. Tho duck question was quietly dispose
10 Of, only ono member keeping them; VIII!
,e several had of lnte taken of the heae
d Of their respective focks, and consigned thel
Is to tho tomb Of Thanksgiving and tho holiday
10 Ducks are charged with being enormous feede1
or and only moderate layers, On our prairie farm
a when depending upon woll-wator for their Aqul'
2 0UISEA-HESs.
ra One member keeps large numbers OF thea
8 | and he etoutly maintained that they were proh
=, able; that they we're good layers, with little al
:; position to set, but when they concluded to
ae so mado remarkable SUCCESS, bringing Oh ~
at litters OF chicks. He also claimed that the
90 flesh was good to eat, quite equal to chiche1 9,
at While the Club was aware Of tho fact OF tt
ia. members SUCCESS a. stated,-for the music
II these buckwheat vocaliats had often sauted the
ra ears on visiting the Post Ohice,-yet they We
ut not SO thoroughly convinced Of the profit az
ho pleasure to be derived from tho guineas or !
either make order for eggs or the BIRDS L
e. future fowl-dlsplay.
he The next point WAS in regard to q
P0ULTRT-UoUsE.
tx There was no disagreement in regard to th
be subject, that large shed, open At one e5 en
IT. rather dark In tnen tefaol, oeub ciose!s oo"t
Of and without windows, Was the best kind OF
d noultry-house. One member had used
OF side-bill cellar, or rather the cellar A.,
all small 9ide-hiu barn, ZOE somo sea1
IL With the most satisfactory results
is was warm in the winter and cool in summe
d. The walls we're Of stone, laid up without morta
nd but with the earth banked up against them
bor% Arf n