The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-02

easily and safely performed now that such
mandy instruments are prepared for the
work. A capon must mature thoroughly
before II can be sent to market. The cost
OF raising them is no greater than for an
ordinary cockerel. and the additional
weight and price viii always bring largef
return TO the breeder
but there are other advantages. Their
1000 does them more good and is not
wasted by the bird running around; they
are very quiet and steady. and never fight
the pullets and hens. and they are seldom
SICK and ailing. They make fine nurses
LOT small chickens, as one bird will hover
over brood of twenty or thirty chickens
allowing the hens time to Law and sit
again. There is little risk attending this
Work nj hrst, but after one becomes q skill.
ful operator he need not lose q single
cockerei during the whole year as the re-
suit OF the operation. The best breeds for
capons are the large Dorkings or Asiatics,
although the smaller one may be improved
or enlarged by the work. Poultrymen
who have entered into the business scien.
tihcally contend that nothing in the poul.
try line pays so well as capons, and all Of
their cockerels for the market are thus
prepared. w. E. FARMER,
DISEASED SWINE.
Hog cholera is not so prevalent in these
X.
il is hoped that il never will return with
the intensity that caused breeders so
much alarm half dozen years ago. But
every year witnesses more or less of the
disease, which is brought on either from
neglect of the preventive measure gener-
ally recognized, or to the development of
germs which have not yet been thoroughly
eradicated
There are several interesting questions
about the disease which the recent wide
spread attacks of the disease explained.
Inc over.heatlng of the system by con-
tinual and exclusive feeding on corn not
only weakens the whole system of the
animal, and makes it very susceptible TO
attacks of disease in hot weather but lie
also tends TO develop germs OF disease
that may be in the air, or in latent con-
dition in the animals. The partial substi-
tuition of clover and grass as diet for the
swine is one of the best preventive meas
ures that breeders have yet adopted. But
the question not always answered is, will
the animal have the cholera the second
time? 1t is very doubtful if the same dis
eases of this nature will attack the animal
that has once recovered from it, and the
conflicting testimony in this respect is
largely due to the fact that many breeders
have COMPOUNDED the hog cholera with
lung fever, malarial fever, worms, ca
tarrhai pneumonia or other diseases.
If the animals will not have a second
attack, the question naturally arises, will
1t be profitable to keep them after they
have recovered? Animals recovering
from any of the other diseases mentioned
will take on good growth afterward, and
produce good meat. The general testi-
mony is that animals that have had the
genuine hog cholera should be killed, for
the morbid process has involved the or
gans of digestion, assimilation and respi-
n fha ff,tfT
gain of the animal is uncertain. But some
breeders maintain that it is not only prof
liable to keep the animals, but to use them
afterward for breeding purposes If the
attack has been a severe one reason would
seem to dictate that offsprings from such
animals would be predisposed to the dis
ease, and to purchase such pigs be injudi-
cious and unbusinesslike. The matter Of
germ diseases is not yet well enough I'M
derstood to permit us to run any risks
The germs may or may not be transmitted
from parent to offspring. but until the
matter is thoroughly decided upon by med
ical men it is well to keep from any risks
Generally, animals that have had severe
attack of the hog cholera have their whole
systems weakened, and they never become
so vigorous and thrifty as before the at
tack. The offsprings then cannot be much
stronger and healthier. 4. 2. SMITH.
CLEANSING CROP.
One Of the best cleansing crops that we
have for general farm uses is the Hun
garian millet grass. For eradicating that
nuisance to many farms-the Canada
thistle-Hungarian grass is the finest
thing that can be recommended, and
also for many other noxious weeds and
grasses.
There are the yellow, white and purple
varieties of this grass, but the yellow
seeded is the best for all farm purposes
The seed can be obtained at $1.50 to 81 a
bushel early in the season, but of late the
prices have been advancing, which is a
pretty sure proof that it is becoming more
generally used. To get the best from il as
a cleansing crop it will be necessary To
keep the ground moving. When 1t is har-
vested some other crop should be sown on
the stubble, so that 1t will rot ont any dor
mant weeds that may be ready to spring
up under favorable conditions. This is
the most effectual way to rot the roots of
morning glories and Canada thistles.
The cultivation of the grass is simple
enough. If the object is to get good hay
crop, land should be taken that has been
MANFRED the previous year for potatoes,
cabbage, wheat or similar crops. When
the land is in proper condition sow broad
cast from one to three bushels to the acre.
A brush harrow should be run over it, and
then the roller to leave it as smooth as a
table The ground should be plowed deep
beforehand and thoroughly pulverized by
deep narrowing. When preparing land
for late cabbage il is good
cleansing crop to SOW to keep down
the weeds. The grass should be-
cut low down. leaving only about an inch
OF stubble. The grass is greatly relished
by the animals, and 1t is great milk, but
ter and fat producer. Ii is second only to
lucerne as a soiler. 1t is second only to
alfalfa for mixers when cut and fed green.
1t is second to none as hay, not even ex-
cepting clover. There is one caution, how
ever, which is not always needed. Ii
should never be allowed TO ripen its seeds,
for then it is little better than oat straw
for feeding. At the very latest it should
be cut when the seed is milky.
J. ID. MORROW.