The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-11-29
OH Sarmler.


With the exception of the hen, the tur-
key is our most valuable fowl, and as It has
become really a staple article of American
food, as a matter Of course, it has come TO
be thought unnecessary part of the products
of the farm While, in some respects,
this fowl IS more trouble than any other,
and more destructive to the various kinds
Of vegetation among which il wanders, the
profits Of turkey raising appear to be quite
sufficient to make it desirable, and the
pleasure Of partaking of roast turkey, aud
even the pleasure Of anticipating such q
feast, more than balance the vexations
caused by occasional depreciation. While
the turkey is a native American, it appears
TO be suited to any cline or country, and
is usually healthy under all circumstances,
after once obtaining its growth. While
young, as the most inexperienced who has
had anything at all to do with turkeys win
know, the utmost care is necessary 10 in
sure success in raising them; but this ten
der season passed, bird is developed that
win stand even the rigors Of the hardest
winters. Il is not an unfrequent sight to
find the turkey roosting out of doors in the
coolest weather, preferring such exposure
to the warmth Of an Enclosure. It might
as well be understood in the beginning BY
all who propose TO raise aud keep turkeys
that they cannot be confined and expect
them to do well. They are eminently Of
q rowing nature, and if kept at all, this
nature should be recognized and given
scope for exercise. Not that the bird
should be allowed to do entirely as it
pleascs. 1t Is not best that it be permitted
TO expose itself, for instance, BY roosting
out Of doors in the bitter cold Of our win
tiers, for, while il seems capable Of standing
almost anything 10 the way Of cold, moth
ing is gained BY such exposure and there
is danger Of possible injury. But in the
matter of rowing during the day, the tur-
key should be interfered with as little as
possible. There should, of course, be
reasonable limits to the territory over
which it roams, for it is a well.known fact
his turkeyship has not the least idea Of
distance, and, unlike the common fowl, he
often finds himself far away from home at
nightfall, and, in such cases, he spends the
night wherever be may happen 10 be, per-
haps in the midst Of dangers which may
cost him his life and his owner turkey.
While we have several varieties of the
turkey known BY their colors, such as the
slate, the gray, the bronze, the black, etc.,
there is really but one species Of domestic
turkey. Owing to the manner Of iattcning
and the peculiar qualities of the food
grown and fed in certain localities, the
turkeys sometimes are known in the mar
kets by the name Of the State or other To-
cality from which they come; and this has
sometimes given rise to the supposition
that the turkey thus named was particu-
lar breed. We have sometimes had ia
quiry made as to where the breed Of
Rhode Island turkeys" could be obtained.
Now, there is 20 such breed. The Rhode
Island turkey is simply known as such in
the market, and is sought after because of
its peculiar sweetness, which arises from
the manner Of fattening. 1t Is no more
distinct breed than is the Philadelphia
turkey, which is known as such in the
market, aud has a peculiar favor which is
pleasant but to few tastes.
Thus any locality which raises turkeys
for the market to any great extent will be
very apt to have its name stamped sooner
or later upon the fowls il raises and
markets.--T1e Poaherer