The record-union., 1892-12-09
FARM And ORCHARD.
The Short Cut to Progress is
Through the Thoroughbred.
The Success of s'Clarence Kirklev-
1ngton''-New Laid Eggs In Winter
Renewing the Flock - Cracked
Hoofs-Keep a supply of Lime-Nis-
cellaneous Items.

Jue use Oi uOL Only ID6 D6Sb SlOCh iOI LAAo
purposes required, but also to the selec-
ton of the best individuals of the breed.
This is easily noticeable, as all who can
read of events that are transpiring are
familiar with the names of the noted
record breakers" not only of horses.
but of cows. While some phenomenal
trOtter may get down close to the two
minute line, and the runner gallop over
mile close to minute and half, the
milk producers show 100 pounds of milk
in day, while six pounds of butter in
twenty-four hours is known to be the
work of some other famous animal.
The animals that surpass others until
themselves overtaken are not really phe-
nomenal, though so denominated. In
fact, it may be stated that they were pro-
duced long before they were born. so far
as the work of producing excellent ami
mails is concerned, as a long line of con-
tnuous breeding, extending over quite a
period of time, is necessary to fix certain
required characteristics in a breed, and
the pedigrees of all the noted animals will
easily show that, with few exceptions,
they can be traced back to the same an
cestry. When attempts have been made
TO introduce new strain of some particu-
lar breed it requires the same period of
time before the animals of that family
attain the desired proficiency, or inherent
characteristics, and they remain behind
IN the race, with the same space of time
intervening in progress unless recourse
is had to an infusion OF blood from the
first strain.
Grading up the stock on the part of a
farmer is commendable, as it is evidence
that he is ON the road to progress and inn
provement, but the grade will never
rival the thoroughbred, whether of horses
cattle, sheep, swine or poultry, as has
been demonstrated over and over in all
sections of this country, and the choicest
bred thoroughbreds will always assert
their superiority. One of the strongest
evidences OF this fact is in the case of the
white shorthorn steer, Clarence Kirk
lexington which was exhibited and
slaughtered as the sweepstakes prize steer
at one of the Chicago tat stock shows.
This celebrated steer was splendidly bred
but, being White in color, he was deemed
unsuitable for breeding purposes "a fool
lsh color prejudice), and was raised rs
steer. Although he entered into competi-
ton with animals of all breeds, pure
breeds and grades, he won every prize
not only on the hoof, but as a carcass, be-
ing pronounced the grandest steer ever
produced. The success was due to the
fact that he was a choice, well-bred ami
NAL OF a beef-producing breed, and was
specially suitable for the purposes de-
sired.
1t is cheaper to use that which is adapted
to a certain purpose than to attempt to
create an animal by breeding for it. as the
breeds in use are already established. and
it is much cheaper to improve by going
at once to the fountain source than to
turn into bypaths. If farmers would de-
termine to use only the pure breeds and
secure the best, they would find in few
seasons that the cost will be amply re-
paid.-Philadelp Record.
NEW LAID EGGS IN WINTER.
From observation for the past three
years, l have learned that to obtain plenty
of new laid eggs in winter the treatment
of fowls in their food supply must be al
together different from what it is in warm
weather; for as with us so it is with them,
in cold weather they require more heat
producing food; thus Indian corn, good
sound oats and buckwheat should be
given alternately in place of wheat or bar
ley, neither of which contain so large per-
centage of warmth-giving material. The
corn should be soaked for twenty-four
hours. and then steamed at r high pressure
Tor half an hour, and given hot, as ii
cooked III this manner it does not break
and is clean and free from sickness: it
also increases one-third in bulk, and in
this form prevents over-cramming and is
easily digeSted, mitigating the thirst that
= y
is of great consequence, tor if the fowls
are parched with thirst they drink too
much water, and so bring on chills and
colds, which at once stop the laying.
The morning meal should consist of
middlings and line sharps, and it will be
greatly improved by mixing over night.
and in the morning treated as the corn.
and given hot. Sleeps paunches or
greaves should be steamed and given at
least once week, as it takes the place of
insect life; all scraps from the house.
vegetable paringS, etc., may be boiled
and mixed with the soft food. AS the
supply of green food is now short, good
swede turnips should be cut in halves
and thown into the runs; the fowls will
pick all away but the rinds. Now a word
as to housing: have found that there is
nothing more detrimental to laying fowls
than draughty, roosting place, and this
must at All times be guarded against, and.
II possible, kept at an even temperature;
the dust bath should also be in snug
corner under cover, and well protected
from the wind. / can assure poultry
keepers that the value of steamed food
Tor fowls is not sufficiently recognized,
but when properly tested it is bound to
be adopted, as it imparts a relish which
induces the fowl to eat, and, at the same
time, two quarts of corn does service for
three.-London Poultry.
RENEWING THE FLOCK.
Writing in the Country Gentleman,
HorenSe Dudley says: "a visitor to
whom l was showing my pets not long
since asked me how 1 managed to keen
their legs so clean, and my answer was
by keeping no old hens. AS soon as a
hen begins to show age or to indicate in
any way that her usefulness is on the
wane, she is disposed of at once. Twice
a year we make q careful inventory of
stock. Before the winter weather SETS in
.ar,ll haa AstfN ,l.
the same time look the adult hens well
over, and retain only those which appear
active and energetic, and which we are
sure may be probably kept for another
six months. a number of these hens are
Plymouth Rocks, which are expected to
make winter layers, and in the spring do
the work OF Matching and rearing chicks
The second culling is done in the spring.
after the principal Matching season is
over. At this time, just before the young
stock is put upon the market, hens IN
good order bring a fair price, so all that
can be spared are gotten rid OF. The age,
however, at which it is no longer profit
able to keep hen for eggs, depends both
upon the breed and the manner of feed
ing. The active Leghorns and Minorcas.
which show little tendency to carry
hesh," may be kept till four or five years
OF age, while hens of no heavier breeds
than the Plymouths and Langshans had
best end their lives at three years at
most, and earlier if highly fed upon rich
food"
CRACKED HooFs.
A correspondent of the CdRddid1a A 1,.f-
cUttulTSt gives the following remedy for
cracked hoofs: My remedy for cracked
hoofs is this: l cut notch with sharp
pointed knife each side of the crack, then
l use a drill made from shank of a
quarter bit (which we always have on
nd l,x~r Of