Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-03-12
BERT'S POULTRY YARD.

LIVING near quiet W eStern village
was widow with two children, boy
and girl. This good woman was much
respected in the neighborhood She did
general sewing for the wives and wove
rag carpets. Her husband had been the
village tailor, and at his trade made but
scanty living for his family Upon
his death it became necessary for her to
move from the village, as in her desti-
tute circumstances she could not pay
the rent; besides the lot was not large
enough for good garden.
Friends interested themselves in her
welfare, and suitable house was soon
provided. OF four farmers whose lands
cOrnered. each donated an acre at the
joining corners other farmers and some
of the villagers added their mite, and a
small but comfortable cottage was
erected thereon; also convenient build
ings Upon these premises the widow
and her personal effects were moved,
and she had lived there three years when
our story opens.
OF course, she felt deeply indebted to
her kind neighbors; but in so many
ways had she assisted them in busy
times or during sickness, they all felt
that she was blessing to the neighbor-
hood, and willingly would have con-
tributed more assistance. had she al
lowed it; but blessed with vigorous
constitution and good health, she quite
easily provided for her little family. and
besides had earned a good cow, some
pigs and a few chickens.
Her little boy, Bert, was now eleven
years old; indeed, old enough to begin
scheming how he might do more for his
mother than simply the chores After
due deliberation he counseled with his
mother, and gaining her consent, began
preparing for raising poultry for profit
instead of as merely domestic supply
To begin business with, he had over
thirty common fowls, six of the duck
family, pair of stately geese, two hem
turkeys and big gobbler that was the
boss of their little poultry world. With
a trifling expense the hen-house was
perfectly cleansed, and rearranged for
convenience. and sundry other small
matters attended to.
Early in the spring, one of the neigh
bors was compelled by business, to go
to the city some twenty miles distant
where, as it CHANGED a friend of his was
extensively engaged in the poultry
business. Knowing of Bert's inclina-
tons in that direction, he kindly offered
him a chance to go along and see the
poultry yard and he also said his friend
would undoubtedly give him many use
full hints in regard to the business, and
what was still more important to Bert
would quite likely sell him some eggs
from thorough-breds at reduced rates.
Bert eagerly accepted the offer, and
with the proceeds from the sale of
calf, he accompanied his friend.
The trip was of much interest to the
lad and many things in the city We're
wonderful to his sight, but when he got
into the fancier's yards, his enthusiasm
knew no bounds. Every thing was Of
interest to him, from the well ordered
house, with its apartments of egg-room,
heating-room, Matching rooms, feed
rooms, etc, to the well-kept
yards, with their multitudes of
inhabitants of many varieties. Hav-
ing been made acquainted with Bert's
circumstances by his friend the kind
fancier took great pains in showing him
every thing, and explaining uses and
methods; and gave him much valuable
information about rearing and caring
for poultry He also described the good
qualities of various kinds, and told his
young visitor which would be the most
desirable and profitable varieties for
him to begin with.
Before leaving the yard, Bert had
bought two sittings each of black
Hamburg, white Leghorn, and Plymouth
rock chickens; also sitting each of the
famous bronze turkey, Toulouse goose
and Rouen duck; and as protection
from hawks, added a half dozen Guinea
fowl eggs. The poultrymen enjoined
Bert to let no one have any of these
kinds for less than fancier's prices, and
gave him price list of both fowls and
eggs, but, in consideration of his youth
fulness and circumstances, let him have
his eggs at about one-fourth the regular
price.
The following evening the happiest
boy in four counties alighted at the
widows door with his baskets of much
priced eggs. AS several of his hens had
evinced sitting disposition, he favored
their inclinations inside of week; also,
after small argument with his sister,
who had three or four hens sitting on
common eggs, he robbed them, and gave
them a fresh start with the imported
eggs During the following weeks it
seemed as though his hens, ducks and
turkeys entered into the spirit of his un-
dertaking as many of them Matched
two broods and a few even three.
Their house, stable and hen-house
being on the same acre lot with their
shrubbery and fruit trees, the three
remaining lots were cultivated. The
two lots across the road were put en-
tirely into corn, while the adjoining acre
contained a half-acrc potatoes and a
half-acre miscellaneous garden vege-
bles. With his sitting hens, and hav-
ing these patches Of garden to care for,
our young hero was very busy; indeed