The record-union., 1891-05-11

wonderful thing, and no one can predict
in advance what it will bring forth
Farm and F3reside.
a DOZEN STOOLS OF RHUBARB.
Rhubarb pie or sauce is not to be
objected to, coming as it does among the
earliest of crops for the American pie.
OF course the markets have this COM
modify early enough, but it often don't
look any too fresh, by the time it has
come in box-cars, laid awhile in the
wholesale market, minus care, and then
IN the retailers. 1t is said also that rhu-
barb sometimes is not wholesome after
this exposure. Now, then, a body must
have small piece of land indeed that will
not allow the growing of a few stools of
rhubarb. Those who desire to do so can
plant now, and by next year they Will
have a small cutting for use; by the year
after full crop for at least three months,
for this is one ofyour rcut-and-come-again
crops. Rhubarb has large, feshy root,
which is the part that produces the rhu-
barb of commerce, and providing this
root has one or more good crowns, a good
plant is the result. They may be set from
four to six feet apart, and should have
good garden soil to grow in. Atleast two
to four weeks may be obtained in earli-
ness by simply setting empty barrels
over a part of the crop. This partially
bleaches the product, which is also found
to be an advantage. Rhubarb can readily
other year TO get crop, and where only
few are wanted the plants are the best.
-Prdirie Farmer.
EGGS IN SPRING AND SUMMER.
The spring is the natural period when
hens will lay, if they ever viii do so. and
| those that do not now lay are not in
proper condition, being perhaps, as is
usual Ill majority of cases, Overfed and
fat, which is more detrimental To egg pro-
Il ft,r, /,
should cost less in the spring and sum
mer, as less food is required to keep
hen III the warm season. Turn the hens
out to forage, and make them hunt and
search for food. Give no food except at
night, when d quart OF corn TO twenty
hens should be sufficient y lot of active
and industrious hens should be able 10
find all that they require during the
worm season. Not only will insects
provide a portion Of the food, but ali
! classes Of poultry will eat grass and
other green foods, and need not Ec hungry
at all. 1t is when the hens are given lib
erty and made to work for themselves
that they thrive best and lay the largest
number Of eggs.-F'd1'01 Gna EIrcside.
POULTRY NOTES.
The yearly importation OF eggs in Eng
land amounts TO the sum of - ,50) 900.
Young chickens that are Just begin
ming 10 run about should be fed regularly
every day,
If the eggshelts are fed to the poultry,
care should always be taken to crush
them thoroughly before feeding.
A hen pays in proportion to the mum
Der of eggs she produces; therefore it Is
an item TO feed SO as to secure plenty
Of eggs.
When desired to fitten rapidly there
is nothing that will equal good corn meal.
Fowls should be given all that they Will
eat up clean.
In shipping young poultry at this
time see that they are we'll watereC; and
fed before cooping, and do not crowd too
many into the cOops.
One can depend with close, careful
plucking upon an average of one pound
of feathers per bird from a flock of COM
mon geese per anuum.
As a rule hens learn to eat eggs from
having them broken in the nest IN ar
ranging the nests have them convenient
for the hens, so that in getting in and out
there will be little if any risk Of the eggs
being broken.
In Matching ducks eggs under hens,
the incubation differs from hens eggs only
in the fact that ducks eggs pip at twenty
five 10 twenty-siX days, instead of nine
teen, as with chicks, and also that they
generally pip from thirty-siX to forty
eight hours before emerging from the
shell.
Hens like seclusion. They do better
when contented. It is best to darken
the place selected for a nest Even
though secluded dark nest gives her
but little chance to see about her, hence
she viii remain more quiet. nest
made of soft cut hay or chafT is as good
as any.
FARM NOTES.
It requires $4,000, 600 cows to supply the
] ! i 4
United States. To feed these cows. CO.
100000 acres of land are under cultivation.
1t will be an advantage to set out a few
trees in the poultry yard. We suggest
peach or plum trees for the purpose as
| they grow rapidly, soon provide shade
for the fowls and come into bearing soon,
and really take up no space in the yards.
AS soon as the young fruit is large
enough pick off about one-half if the trees
are well loaded, and you will secure bet
ter and larger fruit and just as many
bushels. Trees that oyerbear seldom pay,
as the fruit is inferior in size and quality,
and does not bring the highest price.
AS there are no two farms alike it is a
mistake to attempt to follow the practice
of some neighbor until you have COM
pared the advantages and disadvantages
of your farm with his. Soils vary when
but short distance apart, and the ex-
pOsure, or LAY of the land" is factor i'll
the matter. Each farmer should aim to
learn the requirements of his soil, and
regulate his mode of management ac-
cordingly.
The most practical method of putting
up family supply Of eggs for winter use
is to take box of suitable size and fasten
the bottom on with creased screws: put in
a layer of salt and a layer of eggs on
top; another layer of salt and so on until
the box is filled and the eggs completely
covered and surrounded with salt. The
eggs should be fresh and not touch each
other. Keep in dry place and as cool as
possible. When wanted for use, take off
the bottom and use the Oldest eggs first.
Keep the young turkeys dry, as damp
ness is fatal to them. Look for lice every
day. One large louise on the head of a
young turkey will kill it. Feed on stale
bread dipped in milk, curds, finely-chop-
ped boiled egg, chopped onions, and place
a little wheat and cracked corn where
they can pick it, as well as some fine
gravel. Feed every two hours at first,
but do not feed enough to waste. Give
clean water, but be careful that it is 50
given that the turkeys Will not get wet in
any way. Keep the coops very clean.
Corn-meal dough is not sufficient food
for chicks, but when each mess of the !
corn meal is mixed with fresh milk, in |
stead of water, the value of the mess is |
increased Chicks should however have
a variety of food, and will eat any kind of
seeds or small grain, especially broken
wheat. Milk is excellent but the chicks
are liable TO get wet with it, or the milk
may become too sour and breed disease |
If mixed with corn meal, and the mess
eaten up clean, the chicks will relish it
and thrive on the mixture.
ADJUSTMENTS.