The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1885-03-27

| to hold small stove, II win, v .i,rcu
steps down. Cover the hole. Mako s.e pipe
Of common glazed thing, and lot 1t run along
Just below the top OF the ground through tho
houeo till II rr,rs ", an r"-. - ~. Cover Il
along the ground with foot OF dry sand
An arched-over brick stove above ground
with pieces Of sheet iron built inside to in
crease the draft and add to the heating sur.
face, will be still better. II Is made with a
hole for tho stovepipe, which passes straight
up and out.
EARLY CHICKENS.
Experienced persons have already set their
hens weeks ago-in February. Broiled spring
chickens bring 70 cents apiece in the restaur-
ants But they cannot be produced without
warmth and care to hen and eggs. 1t is not
too late now TO set hens Where you have
not a good hen house, with stove or furnace
for winter, build the nests in this way: Pu
horse manure in the bottom. Over that throw
some Clean dry earth. Then upon that max
a nest Of cut hay, not using more than enough
to keep the nest in shape and the eggs clean
Do not let setting hon 60 prospecting oil leg
deep in the snow for food and drink. Hav,
both handy near her, and sec that tho water
does not freeze CT get ice coli. Do not set so
many eggs in cold weather as in warm. Nine
eggs in February and II in March are said to
be as many as hen can properly warm. Ha,
lets the cold through to the eggs; therefore,
make the bottom Of tho nest us directed.
EARLY chickens are by for the best for
breeding purposes, too. The first pullets and
cockerels will be vigorous, seasoned and
thoroughly developed fowls for next fall and
winter.
Don't forget that your chicks must have
some green food by the time they arc two
weeks old. II they come before the grass
grows, then have some oats planted in box
in the kitchen window, or in corner Of your
hotbed ready for them.
As far a. the hens and older fowls are con
cerned, one Of ths best foods for them Is wheat.
Corn diet is too heating. Save the screenings
md poor quality of wheat for your poultry.
Do it next year II you have not done 80 this
Give tho chickens a good feed in tho morning
Of this: Mlddlings, wheat bran, meal or
barley not always the san1e but mixed diff
ferently from time to time to give variety.
The small, imperfect vegetables should be
cooked and given to them from time to time
'Throw them a cabbage once in a while, and
stand and watch the fun" says Mr.. /. K.
Felch. Be sure they have plenty of pure
water, winter ind summer. Warm it for
them in zero weather. 1t will pay. Give
them fresh meat scraps once or twice week.
They are fond of milk and it is excellent for
them. Season their food occasionally with
cayenne pepper, not too much. Give them
hay chopped fine, too. Don't forget that all
living creatures need variety Of food, chick
ems among them. Keep ground oyster shells
or old plaster and lime for them to help them
selves to.
CLEANLINESS.
It is very nasty to lot your hen houses go
from year to year without cleaning. 1t
makes lice, gapes and heaven knows what
not among your poultry. Clean the hen
house floor every little while, and put the
scrapings and droppinys around your fruit
trees Whitewash everything that can be
whitewashed, and keep it SO. Have a large
box Of sand or ashes for the fowls to wal
low in.
With warmth, cleanliness, proper and
abundant food, AMI judicious breeding and
care, tho farlnwife Gun get enough profit
from her poultry-yard in winter to pay her
grocery bills, II tbsy are not too large. This
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