The Portland daily press., 1879-03-24
AGRICULTURAL.
Ra sing Early Chickens.

Where every convenience is at hand, and
young birds can be protected from the in
clemencies OF the weather, it is desirable to
have them out of the shell as early in the sea-
son as possible. Much depends, however, on
the locality and climate. No one, of course,
would for moment think of setting eggs in
a zero atmosphere. We cannot make hot
a thriving condition. They must, sooner or
later, battle with the outside air. With adult
birds it is different. They have come to ma
turity before entering on the cold season, but
young and growing things require free air and
fresh earth. The earlier we can have our
chickens, and have them do well, the better,
The early chickens do the best, have the
greatest freedom from disease, mature early,
and make finer, larger birds, and the trife
more it costs to rear them is more than made
up in extra ineness and the heaviest of fall
eggs. On farm it is highly advantageous
and much to be recommended. The March
and April chicks are out of they way before the
rush of farm work commences. In our lati.
tude, which is about ALI deg. N, it is seldom
prudent to get the chicks out of the shell
much before the middle or last Of April, un.
less the season be remarkably forward. Soon
er than that, especially If the season be back
ward and inclement, the birds get a chill at
first from which they never recover. In April
the middle of each day will give the chickens
several hours run and scratching in the open
air, which is equal to both food and drink.
There can always be selected sunny places
about the buildings where the rays of the sun
beat down genialy, and the chicks may bask
at leisure and enjoy the freedom of the brac-
ing outside atmosphere without receiving a
chill therefrom. The sunshine is the light
and life of growing things, and all birds re-
quire and enjoy it. The birds may be hatch
ed, and even reared, in an artificial heat, but
they seldom prove profitable. There is too
much expense attached where there is large
number, and 1t is hard to habituate tn EN- to
an outside atmosphere. AS dollhouse and
window plants suffer from the freedom of the
breeze and the unveiled eye of the sun, just
so the tender, housed-up chicks. We increase
and invigorate and strengthen the blood, and
our creatures thrive: and the sun is power
fnl elixir, as also is the fresh, pure air.
In ATTITUDES where February answers to
our April, then the former is the month. We
must accommodate ourselves to the seasons
and the climate in which we dwell, No adj
vice or hints can be given that would benefit
another, unless general knowledge of the
convenience and means at hand be given, as
well as the breed which is kept. Some breeds
mature earlier than others, and it is not ne
cessary to set them so early, but we can give
the advantage of the warmer portion of the
season. Some breeds are harder than others
and require longer period to mature. This
Is the case with the Asiat:cs. They are more
hardy than European varieties, particularly
those from the south of Europe. As gen.
eral thing, Brahmas do better when Matched
early in the season. They are less liable to
disease. aud will withstand considerable
amount OF cold and exposure without injury.
Allowances must be made, however. for loca-
ton and the difference in season.-C, B., in
Country Gentleman.