Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-04-25
Something about Turkeys.

At this season, and especially when there
are few warm days with genial sun, tur-
keys are restless, noisy, and wandering from
place to place, manifesting n strong DISPOSE
ton to use the wing and break through en-
closures. Turkeys are impatient of restraint
and love freedom. The turkey carries good
deal of wild blood in her veins that has never
been tanned, neither can il be bred out This
uneasy state will continue to greater or less
degree until the hens have fairly settled down
to laying when they will become the quietest
of all domestic fowls. They are mschievous
birds about the garden and flower beds, and
their mischief is conducted in so sly man
ner that they often go unsupported The
male seldom commits depredations in the
spring His principal business is to spread
his gay banner on the sunny lawn, and strut
in his gorgeous full dress, subject to all the
whlms and caprices of the females, to follow
wherever they lead. There are some vare-
ties that manifest less of this roaming dispo-
stion, and are more quiet and domestic in
their habits. One of these is the Narragan-
sett. They are tame compared to the ma
jestic Bronze, that no damper can check or
no enclosure or confinement can tame
Apart from this wildness, there is no doubt
but the turkey is the most profitable bird the
farmer can raise if only the thing can be done.
To do this successfully requires knowledge
OF their habits and disposition, and to become
thoroughly acquainted with these, the attend
ant needs to be constant, strict and studous
until the tlocks are thoroughly trained and of
an age to be trusted with their natural free
dom. Not that they should be constantly re-
strained, for this will not answer but their
movements should have careful eye over
them, and their course watched, that when
necessary the broods may he readily found.
IurlpVs that ara trnipe6 mr.. crapar,1l,y vow,
regular in their habits, and can be depended
on. Counting the expenditure of feed the
turkey is the easiest and cheapest raised of
any OF our domestic fowls not excepting the
goose, which lives on next to nothing. When
we come to reckon the extra care and trouble
that begins with the first advent of the
broodS until the birds are brought to the block
the profits depreciate in value Frequently
turkeys are matched aud reared by the COM
mon hen, and they are more quiet and home
like in their habits, but are never so large or
valuable as the birds that hunt their living
and gather the sweet succulent grasses aud in
sects that dwell in the meadow lands This
staying Mt home gives them stunt from
which they seldom recover. Daily exercise
strengthens and spreads the limbs, and gives
broader expanse of body, which is not gain
ed by mere food alone.
For all their rowing propensities, the turkey
~ ~ Dhu tuhJ Stthh COlhlut l1lDlU ekhe and rest.
Their first move is to get out of sight and
hearing of home then at midday or rather
rs soon rs the sun comes ont hot and scorch-
ing ON IA summer day, they draw up under the
deep shade, and rest until toward nightfall,
while the home broods with the domestic hen
have been on the move from the first rise of
day, and continue ever on the alert until sun
set Turkeys require warm, dry weather
Broods to be wholly successful should never be
out of the shell before the list of June, when
they will be ready to meet the great harvest
Of insects that are ahoat at this season. 1t will
not answer to put boy at the business of at
tending the flocks, unless he be an apt one
and has fondness for the occupation, or a
strong interest therein. As general thing
people raise turkeys at a loss simply because
they are determined to raise them in their
own way. Their wills are the strongest, and
the birds suffer in the flesh while the owners
depreciate in the pocket The turkeys way
is the best, only We must teach, govern and
control the natural habit in quiet manner
and still not cross the desires of the mother to
so great Ru extent as TO cause a restraint
which she will not endure. -"c. h." in C0un-
tTV GeRtleRtaH