The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-03-19
Raising Early Chickens.

Where every convenience is at
hand, and young birds can be pro-
tected from the inciemencies 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 a mo-
ment think of setting eggs in a zero
atmosphere. We cannot make hot
house plants OF our poultry and keep
them in thriving condition. They
must, sooner or later, battle with the
outside air. With adult birds it is
different. They have come to maturi-
ty before entering on the cold sea-
son, but young and growing things
require free air and fresh earth. The
earlier we can have our chickens, and
have them do we'll, the better. The
early chickens do the best; have the
greatest freedom from disease, ma
ture early, and make finer, larger
birds, and the trife more it costs to
rear them is more than made up in
extra fneness and the harvest of Fall
eggs. On farm it is highly advan-
tageous and much to be recommend
ed. The March and April chicks are
out of the way before the rush of
farm work commences. In our lati-
tude, which is about All deg; ees
north, it is seldom prudent to get the
chicks out of the she'll much before
the middle or last of April, unless
the season be remarkably forward.
Sooner than that, especially If the
season be backward and inclement,
the birds get check 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 sun
ny places about the buildings where
the rays of the sun beat down genial
ly, and the chicks may bask at leis-
ure and enjoy the freedom of the
bracing outside atmosphere without
receiving chill theretrom. The
sunshine is the light and lite of
growing things, and all birds require
and enjoy it. The birds may be
Matched, and even reared in an arti-
fetal heat, but they seldom prove
profitable There is too much ex-
pense attached where there is large
number, and it is hard to habituate
them to the 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 in
crease and invigorate and strengthen
the blood, and our creatures thrive,
and the sun is powerful elixir, as
also is the fresh, pure air.
In latitudes where February an
swers to our April, then the former
is the month. We must accommo-
date 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 necessary 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 ma
ture. This is the case with the Asiat-
les. They are more hardy than the
European varieties, particularly those
from the south of Europe. AS a
general thing, Brahmas do better
when Matched early in the season.
They are less liable to disease, and
will withstand a considerable amount
of cold and exposure without injury.
Allowance must be made, however.
Tor location and the difference in
seasons.-C. b., in Country Gentle
man.
Corn and Its Cultivation.