The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-27

While believe one acre Of good grass
would keep five or may be eight sheep well,
do not believe 100 acres would keep 3oO
sheep. Five sheep would probably do but
little damage to one acre; even though
they were confined to it they would make
bat few tracks over it in a day. and would
easily find fresh grass each day. But sup
pose we put 500 sheep in a 100 acre lot; II
each five sheep would c%onine themselves to
their own particular acre they would pro-
badly do we'll in summer. But they will
not do this, and right here is where theory
and practice part company. Our five sheep
start out &c Craze. and the 49, 90 along with
them. Now a sheep is q dainty creature,
and likes clean food. So the hindermost
part of the flock keep pushing ahead, pay
ing little or oattcntion to what has already
been run over. and being in each other 5
way. each would 90 over ten times as much
ground before it is filled, as it ought. And
having so much more work to get It's food,
it does not do so we'll as one that can salts
fv itself with little or no cXcrtion. Going
over the trail too frequently, and picking
about dung and urine for grass IS doubtless
what makes large tiocks SO liable to disease.
HOW Many EGGS CAN 4 HEN a
LRural Now Yorker
There has been SO much loose talk about
the total number of eggs a hen is capable
Of laying, and her yearly yield under fairly
good treatment, that it is a satisfaction to
come across something beyond guess work
or mere Inference on the matter. The
foundation of science is accurate observa-
ton, and when Il scientist publishes a state
ment it is presumable that it is based on
this foundation. Its accuracy, too. is con
tirmed, if it is quoted with approval by
other men with wide experience and knowl-
edge on the subject involved IN it. Now,
Geyelin says, and Prof, Miles in his excel
lent work on st0ck-breeding quotes him
with approval: 1T has been ascertained
that the ovarium of a fowl is composed of
600 ovules or eggs: therefore a hen, during
the whole of her life, cannot possibly Law
more eggs than 600, which in a natural
course are distributed over nine years, in
the following proportion:
First year after birth, Is to 20
Second year after birth, 100 to 100
Third year after birth, 100 to 1876
Fourth year after birth, 100 to lis
Fifth year after birth, Go to 80
sixth year after birth, 80 to 60
Seventh year after birth, SO to 40
Eighth year after birth, Is to 90
Ninth year after birth, to l6
as tAl'iiSh1C uCIIollSlIdttS
demonstrates that some breeds of hens are
vastly more prolific than others, this state
ment, of course, can be applicable only to
the average of poultry.
EARLY
Chickens to be profitable for the early
markets must be of Il kind that will grow
quickly and feather when quite young-the
early spring months being too severe for
co1lnyr inc orl H., x>- "
color that will furnish no black or dark
colored pin feathers, and their skin must be
of a yellow or yellowish white color.
Poultercrs have generally settled down to
the opinion that for early chickens no breed
nor cross gives better results than does a
mating of strong, large healthy Light Rrah-
ma hens with Il vigorous White Leohorn
cock. The chickens mature very quickly,
their feathers and PIN feathers are white,
their breasts round out quickly. and in con-
sequence of the density Of the Dlumane
Which they tax on at an early age. they
do not get any set back or check in their
growth, which tull-blood Asiatics. half
naked as they are for many weeks, often re-
ceive.
Plymouth Rocks make the most tooth
some "broilers, and epicures would al
ways choose them, but in consequence of
nv Wall pm lCdlIitIS. lbtN 10 nOI Sell
quite as we'll as the cross we have named.
In setting for early chickens. it is impor-
tant that the eggs should be fertile. and in
order that this may be counted upon it is
not prudent to have the breeding flocks too
large. About fifteen or at most twenty fe-
males to each male is the best proportion.
STRAWBERRIES.
Georgia Southern Cultiyator.
Now is the time for setting strawberry
plants. To those that would like to eDioy
this most luscious of small fruits without
depending on til" markets for them. we
would say that the important points neccs
sary for success are:
/. Select a piece of ground that has been
under good cultivation for the past wear.
III grassy ground is taken, more than likely
your plant roots will be DESTROYED by a
white grub.
2. See that the plat is we'll drained.
j. Put on broadcast three inches of ma
nure. For sandy soil use cold manures