Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-03-13
Does Poultry Payl No. 3.
HENRY HALES.

small grass plot IN front Ol the Duild-
INC is sufficient the rest of the yard
can be utilized for growing fruit. Peach
aud pear trees may be plarted, as well
as rows Of raspberries. grapes, etc.
Besides still further utilizing the ground,
the working it sweetens and makes 1t
healthier for poultry. The droppings
rom the birds are absorbed by the veg
citation as manure. 1t is only necessa-
ry TO train the vines and canes a little
higher than usual out Of the reach OF the
stock, which. if well fed, will trouble
them but very little. They will pick
The grapes most, but as they-if Con-
cords-ripen quickly, when once they
,egin to color. they can be nearly all
gathered before the fowls pick them
much.
As to flooring houses there is much
iyersity ofopinion. Many recommend
concrete or cement doors. while others
prefer the earth. have USED both' bu'
prefer tie earth in ii good dry hous
but if moisture is likely to find its way
IN. concrete is better. A dry earth
hOor l cover with coal ashes. Beat
them down hard and sprinkle other ash
rs lightly over the floor, to be gathered
up with the droppings. The hard coat
ing of ashes | peel oil, ana replace with
a fresh coat twice a year, and use the
old ashes for manure. This plan keeps
tne house free from the contamination
that is likely to accompany cement
floors. The tumigaiion does not readily
touch the floor. and cement, being po-
rous, is not readily disiniected. Ashes
are objected to Tor flooring where yellow
legged fowls are kept for the show pen,
IN which case sand will do; but for
manure. ashes are best.
A dust bath must be in every house
close to the glass-wIndows which should
extend down to the floor. Sand, with
a little wood ashes and sulphur, makes
the best bath coal ashes lie too heavy.
The level Of the bath should not be
above that of the floor, otherwise it does
not tempt the birds to 20 in. y box is
very often recommended. but can
never get many hens TO use it unless
sunk down to the level of the floor, 4
little lower is better. BY having the
lass in the house down to the floor, the
sun shines op the latter. the heat as
ccndS and warns all the house, and the
door retains the heat for some time after
The suns rays have left il. DrOpphngs
from the caves ola house should not be
allowed along its front, as the birds
naturally crouch along the front OF the
building for warmth and protection, and
so get INTO the droppings in wet wealth
or. \ small gutter will prevent this.
In winter. feed literally with soft
.ood. vegetables and meat, mix in
little cayenne with them, being careful
Aot to make the mess too hot with the
pepper. Haslcts boiled with potatoes
and turnips. thickened with corn meal
or wheat mddhn.s, make excellent
.ood for the morning meal. and corn.
wheat, barley. cats or huckwheat for
The evening meal. Too much corn l.
not as GOOD as other grain for laying
ems. Wheat and barley are better ier
-,n, raj use; onions and cabbage are
-ood; the onion should he chopped up
me. and the cabbage hung up by It's
-lalK Just within reach of the stock
,u.s Keeps it clean till all is consumed.
A 50. hiking Of pulyerlzcd charcoal at
times, in the food IS desirable. Another
subject on which there has been much
controversy is the ACCESSIBILITY Of giving
poultry raw meat. Some say it teaches
them TO eat feathers. l never Was
troubled with this nuisance, though l
nave always given my birds raw flesh.
have seen many cases Of this trouble
with persons who did not give their
birds raw flesh until the habit had been
contracted 1t j. then too late for the
habit once contracted usually lasts TIL
death puts an eud to it hang a haslet
IN each house just within reach 50 that
It cannot be pulled down in the same
manner as the cabbage; plan that
saves it from being drabJled through
dirt. The Rural Ne,c- Yorker.