Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-10-16
Sfarm ann AouseboIn.
From Ma ne Farmer.
Fo-.-y Raising.

The importance Of the poultry yard
as source of income is much better
appreciated than it was a few years ago,
and vet 50 far as our own observation
goes, the average farmer does not at
tach half the importance 10 it that it de
serves. The reason is found in The fact
that it is usually managed in such q
slp-shod way, without any regard 10
proper methods, that the income is so
insignificant a to attract bnt little at
teution Now we know HAT u poultry
yard NAV be so managed as to be one
Of the most profitable departments of
the farm and pay better tor the original
outlay and the time required in looking
after it. Farmers usually keep 4 few
hens 20 supply the family with eggs.
but pay little attention 10 the breed. and
if they happen 10 start with good kind,
by breeding in and in, they soon run
ii out, or cross and recross until their
yards present most unattractiye APP
pearance, color, size and shape being en-
tirely disregarded. and the whole pre-
senting ssch a motley appearance a.
might be expected from bad manage
memt or from no management at all
With little care and expense if prop
erly directed, well bred fowls can be
reared, which whether bred for their
eggs or the spit, will pay much better
and be much more satisfactory than
heterogeneous flock representing all
sizes and all colors. Well bred fowls
will ALWAYS sell at an advance for breed
ing purposes and the cost OF keeping is
no more than that of inferior ones. A.
a rule, among farmers, the hens are
allowed to roam at will around the
farm buildings. their care and feeding
entrusted TO children and at night, hay
ing no building. or room devoted TO
their exclusive use, they must 90 to
roost wherever they can find q chance
Not being provided with proper nests
in such retired and quiet situation as
this bird wants, they make nests for
themselves in secret recesses where the
eggs are lost. No wonder that under
this loose management. so many come
to the conclusion that keeping hens is
not profitable.
We are often asked the question BY
our correspondents, what breeds are the
most profitable tor them TO keep. Now
the same difficulty arises in the solution
of this question, that comes up with re.
gard TO breeds of cattle or sheep. The
cows that give the best results in dairy
products are not always the best fol
beef. and the sheep that produce the
best wool do not make the best mutton
1t is so with hers. If they are wanted
for their egg product, one breed may be-
profitable; if for poultry for the market
quite another breed would be selected
For poultry, the Brahmas, Plymouth
Rocks, Dorkings, and some other. 0
the larger kinds are best and in oul
judgment either of the two first-namet
breeds answers every good purpose
The chicks are hardy and with prope
care, rapidly develop; they grow lare,
and handsome, are good layers, and OF
account of the disparity between tn,
weight OF their bodies and size of thei
wings, they are easily kept within
bounds and are thoroughly domestic il
their habits. Their eggs are of larg,
size and rich, and though when sold b.
the dozen according to the present un
equal practice, they bring no more thai
those of the smaller breeds, for HON,
use they are worth from quarter to .
third more. For LAYERS without refer
epce to their carcass for the market
there is probably nothing better thai
the Leghorns, and of these there ar,
four varieties, viz: black, white, brown
and the Dominique. All of these arr
distinguished only by their color. il
other respects being the same. Trey
are not as hardy as some other kinds
And cannot be recommended to those
who are obliged to keep them shut III
in small yards as they are high flyers
and will 90 over almost anything in the
shape of a fence. They are very
handsome, shapely bird. but the hens
are non.setters and some other kind
must be kept to attend to this duty and