The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-29
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Rules for the Care of the Ewes.

Rules for the Care of the Eyes.
When writing, reading, drawing, sewing
etc., always take care that-(G) the room is
comfortably cool, and the feet warm; (b)
there is nothing tight about the neck ;(c)
there is plenty OF light without dazzling the
eyes; (dthe sun does not shine directly on
the object we are at work upon; lei the light
does not come from in front; it is best when
it comes over the left shoulder; u the head
Is not very much bent over the work; (g) the
page is nearly perpendicular to the line of
sight; that is, that the eye is nearly opposite
the middle of the page, for an object held
slanting is not seen so clearly; M that
the page or other object, is not less than fif-
teen inches from the eye. Near-sightedness
is apt to increase rapidly when a person
wears, in reading, the glasses intended to en-
able him to see distant objects. In any case
when the eyes have any defect, avoid fine
needlework, drawing of fine maps and all
such work, except for very short tasks, not
exceeding half an hour each. and in the
morning. Never study or write before break
fast by candle light. Do not lie down when
reading. If your eyes are aching from fire.
light, from looking at the snow, from over
work, or other causes, pair of colored-glasses
may be advised, to be used for while. Light
blue or graysh blue is the best shade, hut
these glasses are likely to be abused, and,
usually, are not to be worn except under
medical advice. Almost all who continue to
wear colored glasses, having perhaps first re-
ceived advice to wear them from medical
men, would be better without them. Tray
cling vendors of spectacles are not to be
trusted; their wares are apt to be recon-
mended as ignorantly and Unfortunately as
in the times of the ''Vicar of Wakefield If
you have to hold the pages Of Harper's Mag
dzine nearer than fifteen inches in order 10
aooilx, II ic r,robo1,lo hot oI1ito
near-sghted. If you have to hold it two or
three feet away before you see easily, you are
probably far-sighted. In either, it is very de-
sirable to consult physician before getting a
pair of glasses, for misfit may permanently
injure your eyes. Never play tricks with the
eyes, as squirting or rolling them. The eyes
are often troublesome when the stomach is
out of order. Avoid reading or sewing by
twilight, or when debiliated by recent illness,
especially lever. Every seamstress ought to
have cuttiug-out table,. to place her work on
such plane with reference to the line of WIS.,
ion as to make it possible to exercise a close
scrutiny without bending the head or the fig
ure much forward. Usually, except for aged
persons or chronic invaids, the winter tenn
perature in work-rooms ought not to exceed
go OF 65 dogs. To sit with impunity in room
at lower temperature some added clothing
will be necessary. The feet of a student or
seamstress should be kept comfortably warm
while tasks are being done. Slippers are bad.
In winter the temperature of the lower part
of the room is apt to be 10 or Is dogs. lower
than that of the upper. 1t is indispensable
in all forms of labor requiring the exercise of
vision OF minute object that the worker
should rise from his task now and then, take
few deep inspirations with closed mouth,
stretch the frame out into the most erect pos
ture, throw the arms backward and forward,
and, if possible, step to a window or into the
open air, if only for moment. Two desks
or tables in room are valuable for a stu
dent; one to stand at, the other to sit at
DR.. d p. Lincoln, Secretary american So
cidl Science association.
Raising Squads for Market.
In accordance with your desire, and in an
swer to an inquiry in regard to raising squads
for Boston market, l will say that have
kept pigeons for number OF years and dur
ing that time have taken much pleasure in
watching their habits, and have given some
attention to the raising of squads for market,
and can confidently say that it can be car
ried on with profit when rightly managed.
La order to make it a paying business, good
care and attention is as necessary as in keep
ing fowls.
First, a room should be made for them the
size of which should be ample according to
the number of pigeons kept. Then there
should be boxes arranged for each pair sepa-
rately, in which to raise their young. The
entrance should be so arranged as to give
sort OF hiding place or safe appearance,
though the light should noe be excluded. To
undertake to raise squads without these ac-
commodations, that is, il a mixed up huddle,
one might as well try to raise beans in hem
yard.
Next, care should be taken to select the
larger kinds of pigeons, as they will pr 'duce
the largest squads. Then those of light col
ored plumage should be selected, as squads
with light skin look great deal the best in
market The time TO prepare the squads for
market is just before they are old enough to
fly, as it is at this time that they are prime,
and make very wholesome as well as pala-
table dish for the convalescent. 1t is better
to take them away as soon as fit for market,
as they cause less disturbance, and the old
pigeons have nothing to do then but lay
again. think as general rule, pigeons will
turn out at least three pairs of squads in four
months time. Of course there are discour
agements to be encountered, as in every 9TH
er branch of business. Hawks, cats and rats
are to be guarded against, and the eggs are
not always sure to hatch, or the young ones
to live when Matched. l have sold since last
April from three PAIRS of pigeons three dol
lars worth of squads, selling them to the fowl
dealers who take them to market and pay me
twenty-five cents per pair, but l think have
been selling them too low, as 1 find upon in
quiry that others who are in the business are
getting more, as have myself at other times.
think the most profitable way is to keep a
large number of pigeons, and have a large
number of squads in readiness for market at
a time,an then send them to market directly,
and thus save, if possible, the meddleman's
profit.
think if these rules which 1 have given
are observed, the results will be sufficient to
make the business a success, though perhaps
on a small scale.-N. e. Farmer.
The New Boy.