The National tribune., 1894-09-13
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
Light Cattle Feeding.

ans Se"t IMAM isst, or for several years past.
Since early in the Spring the demand for
feeders and stock cattle has been extremely
light everywhere, and the number Of Young
cattle turned to grass this Summer with a
view to finishing them OF on corn durin0
the coming Fall and Winter WAS compara-
tively small. The scarcity of money and
favorable opportunities for investments in
other directions for those who had the cash
was the greatest reason for this, no doubt.
bnt feeders as rule seem to have but little
confidence in the cattle markets and thew
packed their Judgment by letting cattle
alone. The drought ard consequent light
pastures was another good reason for mot
stocking up heavily.
July and August are the two months
which generally find the heavy feeders in
the great corn-producing States most active
In laying IN their supplies of feeding cattle.
80 Tar this year but little has been done in
many OF the best feeding districts. Tha
fallure OF the corn crop has had much TO do
with the light investments in feeders. for IN
some sections where large numbers of cattle
are turned OFF annually not enough corn will
De raised to feed the stock necessary to run
the farms. Where such conditions exist
cattle feeding Is out of the question. and
probabl y much territory which furnishes a
great deal of fat stock each year under
ordinary circumstances will not be heard
from this year for this reason.
1here are various other reasons for pre-
dieting lighter feeding this year than usual.
L. The prices for corn, both present and
prospective, are so much higher than the
present prices for fat cattle that it takes a
man OF considerable courage to feed his
grain with view to getting more ont of il
than by marketing it. 2. A great many
feeders had trouble last year in procuring
money to handle cattle, aud were forced in
many instances to sacrifice their stock to
pay their obligations, which they calculated
upon carrying as long as they desired. The
influence of this pinch in money matters a
year ago Is causing much conservatism
among feeders, although there is plenty of
money In the country at present. 8. The
general depression of business in all lines
has discouraged and disheartened many who
are generally rea ly to push business to the
limit of their opportunities if there ia anv
prospect OF making a dollar, or even coming
out whole. 4. The dry weather and short
pastures have caused the marketing of num-
berless punches of young cattle that would
otherwise have been kept through the Sum-
mer and finished Of in the feed lots in the
winter a large proportion of the receipts
ut the fat stock markets for the past few
months has consisted of cattle that Wers
Dut little If any better than feeders.
Other reasons might be assigned, but
these are enough to show the prospects at
present. There IS time yet for changes To
take place which may affect the situation
somewhat, but from the present outlook the
markets will not be 0yer-supplied with
good, fat beeves next Winter and Spring.
Those IN position 10 feed advantageously
may find as good market for their corn
crop through the feed lot as at the elevator.
National Stockman
Scratching Makes Eggs
The natural food of fowls consists mostly
Of seeds, insects and grass It is not a nat
ural condition when the birds have but one
kind of food. The birds that build in trees
and feed their young would be unable to
supply them if only seeds could be provided.
As concentrated food must be given. the
variety Is also to be considered. Such sub
stances as grass and the shoots of tender
heritage are intended as much for dilution of
the concentrated foods as for the nutrition
to be obtained therefrom. The work of
feeding her young is not incumbent on the
hen by bringing the food to them, but she
scratch for them. The feet of the hen per-
orm the same duties as the wings of a
lying bird, and her feet arc well adapted for
providing food for her young. Hence we
nay rightly conclude that scratching is
natural function of the domestic hen. The
len, however, performs greater work than
he birds on the wing Birds seldom lay
more than two or three eggs before be-
ginning 1ncu batlon, but the hen NAV Law
rom 10 to so, or even more. She must pro-
luce these eggs as well as maintain herself.
n the natural state she lays fewer eggs. but
las greater difficulty in procuring food and
eslsting enemies. An egg is a composite
ubstance, and cannot be produced from q
Jingle article of food. The hen requires
Tariety of food in order to fulfill her duties
IS q regular and persistent layer.
1t Is not, therefore conducive to egg pro-
luction when the hen is deprived of her
Natural advantage of scratching. She does
'est when she is compelled to scratch and
work for her food, and she will always select
he kind most suitable for her purpose.
When hens are confined in Enclosures they
nay be fed too much while in condition
# idleness. A hopper that is kept full of
God where hen can always reach it in
luces her to desist from the work of scratch
NC, because the necessity for so doing then
eases, and she becomes too fat Nature
caches, therefore, that hens should be so fed
8 to compel them to scratch and work for
heir food, which keeps them in health and
eads to greater egg produetion.-Poultry
Keeper.
Lice and Cholera.
VIM. r. Bennett, Farmersburg, Ind: Poke
DOT crushed and mixed with elabber-miIk,
nd placed where the chickens can eat il.
as cured all my chickens of cholera. If
hey are too sick TO eat it, boil il and feed
! to them with a spoon.
To get rid of lice place May-apple leaves
a the nests of the sitting-hens, and rub the
oost-poles with the same. 1t has been a
omplete success wherever tried.
About willows.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I see in
our agricultural column an article In re-
ard 10 raising willows. You say that will
ows are in good demand in this country, and
bat large quantities are imported to this
ountry for manufacturing purposes I
ave been looking for parties for the last
ear who have use for willows, and have
OF been able to find any. Can you give me
he name or address of parties who use it, az
can furnish them with large quantities.
J. o. CHASE, Reed City, Mich.
Can anyone give the comrade the infor-
nation he desres?1