The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-27
PINE VALLEY STOCK FARM,

ted the Pine Valley Stock Farm, owned by j.
B. Howe. II is on the southern edge OF Miller
township, AZ miles north Of the prosperous
village OF Seneca, In the heart OF a most ! eau
tiful and productive agricultural region. Cne
day last week representative of the FkIB
TRADER went out to this celebrated stock
farm, where he was met by frank and open
hearted hospitality so characteristic of the
country, and the visit was indeed an enjoya-
bic one. After partaking of substantial din.
ner the reporter accompanied MIR. Howe In
taking look about this noted establishment.
The poultry department, conducted by Mrs.
j. b. Howe, was first visited by the newspa-
per man. On the place are raised ten yarie-
ties OF chickens Of the purest breeds. Each
variety is In separate enclosure with about
20 in each yard and during the laying season
an aggregate OF about II dozen eggs are gath
cred each day. This department was first
added to the stock farm in 1879, and has rap
idly risen into prominence, the orders this
season embracing wide area OF territory.
There were, Mr.. II. said, running about the
different yards 500 young chicks, with set
tings of 500 more. The hatchings for the sea.
son. of the different varieties, will amount to
| 800 chicks, which will all be shipped to diff.
ferent points by the first Of May next. There
are orders for Canada, Texas, Maine and Cali
fornia, and almost every state and territory in
the Union. All the yards are fed in the morn.
ing with cooked food; in the evening the old
fowls get mixture Of corn, wheat and oats.
Owing to keeping their yards in n clean con-
dtion the poultry are scarcely ever affected
with disease, cholera and other chicken cpl
denies being unknown amongst them. The
houses are whitewashed in the spring and fall
of the year and thoroughly cleansed. The
fowls are occasionally given ground oyster
shells and granulated bone, which has been
found to be highly beneficial. The Plymouth
Rock, on account of its hardy constitution, is
correctly termed "the farmers fowl" 1t will
lay the year round If provided with comfort
able quarters. These fowls are easily reared
and attain Il large size, besides being very
handsome. The Wyandottes, which are about
pound less in weight than the Plymouth
Rock, are very beautiful variety, an excep::
tionally hardy breed, easily enduring the cold
of the hardest winters, and will lay the year
round. They have solid black tail with
white spangled breasts and wings, and are
great fayortes with breeders of fancy chick
ems. The Light Brahmas stand second in
rank to the Plymouth Rocks, and are of very
large size and weighty, and are an attractive
as well as excellent species of poultry. The
Partridge Cochins are believed by many to be
the handsomest Of the Cochin family. They
are good mothers, the best of winter layers,
and are hardy variety. The hen is of Il
brown color, penciled with darker brown,
and the male Is black breasted with red back,
and hackle and saddle OF an orange color,
striped with black For general use this fowl
cannot be exceled. The Buff Cochins are ad
mred for their beautiful golden buff plumage.
They are large size, docile, good winter lay.
ers and careful mothers. Their beauty and
size have made them a very popular breed.
The Houdans, noted for their fine crests and
boards, are the best Of all the French varieties
of fowl are very hardy and everlasting lay
crs. The White LeghOrns are among the most
beautiful Of all domestic fowls, great layers
tho non.setters, and their livelness, vivacity
and beauty have made them wide favorite
with chicken fancers. The Brown Leghorns
mature early, are very easily raised and are
prolific breeders, laying winter as well us
summer. The er-Spangled Hamburgs are
by many considered to be the most beautiful
Of the fowl family, being exquisite in shape
and feather Though great layers they are
strictly non-setters, as are also the White
Crested Black Polands. They are both orna-
mental as well us useful. Like the Houdans,
the W. G. B. Polands are almost perpetual
layers; their large, handsome white crests
standing out in beautiful contrast with the
rich, changeable hues of their glossy black
plumape The Toulouse Geese are the largest
in the world and at maturity will weigh from
As to 60 pounds. They are of uniform,
handsome grey color, are very gentle, mature
early, and will lay from 30 to 40 eggs each
season, which sell for 30 cents each. In the
poultry department are kept the celebrated
Mammoth Bronze Turkeys. The demand for
this fowl last year was so large that it was
found impossible to supply onc-half the or
ders that came pouring in. They are by far
the largest and hardest Of all the varieties of
turkeys, the hens weighing from 70 to 30 and
The gObblers 80 to 40 pounds. They are eX-
celent layers and will mature quickly. This
department. with all its varieties, requires
al, NJ labor in frnunpnt
Il supervision and IN caring for the wants of
The young. The patience and industry in
bringing it up to its present high standard of
excellence by Mrs. Howe has spl cad its name
from ocean to ocean and given it national
reputation.
In 1876 j. B. Howe began the breeding of
what Is now extensively known throughout
corded Poland China Swine, and from small
beginning the business has increased until
he name Of Howe and his Pine Valley Herd
are known to almost every large breeder OF
hogs in the United States. A few days ago |
ne shipped a pair to Montana, last week he
sent pair to Texas, and also pair to Arkan-
,as. He makes a specially of this breed,
which is the only one he handles, and has on
hand ready for shipment 30 to fill orders. He
sends these hogs by express east, west, north
md south. One of the principal points of cX-
,ellence in this breed over all Others, and one
which gives it supremacy above all other
kinds, is that it natures very early and can be
'attencd at any age. This hog may be fatten-
ID at six months of age, or at year old, when
t may be put up for market. Instead of be-
ny wild and ferocIous like the Berkshire, the
Poland. China is tame and easily handled.
they are excellent mothers to raise their
young, and bushel Of corn will put up more
lat on them than almost two bushels on any
,ther breed known. The Pine Valley Herd
If recorded Poland China Swine has all that
5 requisite to commend it to farmers in gen
,ral. This has been the general verdict of the
many patrons Of j. B. Howe, who has had
hundreds of letters testifying to the merits of
his breed above all others. The herd Is OF
lark color, having taken six sweepstakes over
III breeds and ages and 81 premiums in 1850,
he last year it was exhibited. Compared
With either the Chester White, Essex or Berk-
shire, the Polapd-Chlna has shorter head
md smaller bone than any OF these breeds,
md it may be said that no breed in the world
will compare with it in regard to large, full,
ieep hams and an abundant supply OF lard.
Poland China hogs are large and fine. spotted,
varying from very light to almost black, &C
,ording TO the taste Of the breeder. They
nave long bodies, short legs, broad, full,
square hams and shoulders, have dropping
ears and are Of very fine style. II farmers
md stock raisers would give the Poland China
, fair trial they never could be conteut to
At..,N.