The record-union., 1894-01-11

k6I-1uO duO OA1C Il oJ @AOOR
ing Potatoes from sproutinE.
Machines for the artificial Matching OF
chickens, ducks and turkeys are now III
use by thousands of individuals all over
the country, some of whom make the
work success. while others make snip
wreck of the business. The TACT thaG
many have excellent success shows that
these machines are practical ana Valuaoie
assistants in the raising OF poultry. Inc
first condition necessary for success is to
secure a properly constructed machine.
There are many kinds of incubators that
will do good work, so that the choice IS
not closely limited. If one is about to
purchase, it will be well to get the advice
of some friend who has had experience
in this kind of Matching. One OF Inc nfst
essentials is that the machine be accu-
rately self-regulsting, for though per-
son may in time become skiliful enough
TO run a machine without regulator,
the risks are too great even IN tnaC case
A non-regulating machine is constantly
running either too high or too low, when
either kills the germs in the eggs out
u,
chicks cannot result from them. The egg
chamber should not be cooled by letting
out the heated air within the chamber,
for in this way the necessary moisture Is
also let out, and the eggs injured.
The question of moisture is an import
ant one, for this is the most artificial part
OF artificial incubation. In the natural
way the hen seems to cover the egg with
q secretion that causes il TO shIne-a Sc
cretion that presumably keeps the fluid
part of the egg from evaporating r2pldly.
The presence of moisture in the egg
chamber of ali incubator is supposed 10
answer the same purpose. At any rate,
it is important, particularly toward the
end of the hatch. Without moisture the
lining membrane of the egg would soon
become tough and dry when the shell is
pipped-and this brings US to another
difficulty that many experience. Ihelr
eggs begin to hatch well, but the chicks
have great difficulty In getting out OF the
shell. Much of this trouble is caused by
opening the egg chamber to frequently
during the process Of Matching. This lets
out the moist air, i'll consequence OF which
the membrane before mentioned becomes
dry and tough, and hard for the chick TO
break asunder. 1t is wise plan 10 open
the egg chamber not more than once dur
ing the Matching period, and then to be as
quick as possible in taking out the chicks.
Incubators will always give the best
results when placed where the tempera-
ture will not change to very great eX-
tent, although l have made very sue
cessful hatch when icicles nave formed
and hung down from the outside OF the
machine l do not advise placing II
where it will be exposed to such condi-
ton. however, since double the quantity
Of oil is consumed, and the risk is in
Cured that the lamp may not be able to
furnish heat enough.
The greatest difficulty that artificial in
cubation encounters in the winter and
early spring, is the infertility of the eggs.
At this season OF the year the hens eX-
ercise very little, are frequently over
fat, and are often FROST bitten, either in
combs or toes. Want OF exercise is spe-
cially disastrous to fertility in the eggs.
The male bird, too. having more exposed
combs and wattles, may have been
frosted, and in this condition is not in
sufficient vigor, it is thought, to head a
breeding pen. All of these conditions are
largely under the control of the owner,
however, for the pens can be kept warm,
the fowls can be kept scratching, and fed
non-fattening foods, which will thus be
epg-producing foods. To successfully
run an incubator one should understand
fully the physiology of the growth of a
chicken from the germ till it breaks the
shell. He must have care and patience in
looking after the small details, for upon
these, IN a large measure, depends sue
cess.
Those who use incubators are of ne
cessity compelled to use brOoders, while
they are very frequently used by those
who hatch their chickens by natures
methods, considering that the advantages
of such plan outweighS the disad-
vantageS. Without debating the sound
Eess of this idea, there are certain points
in the management OF brooders that may
,l,1x a. co2 aba ises-
advantage to be met in running brooder
during cold weather is the difficulty that
is found in getting the chicks to exercise
sufficiently-a matter that is I vital inn
portance if one would have them grow
thriftily. At least two inches of chaff
and sand should be kept upon the bot
tom OF the brooder, and finely-cracked
wheat and corn thoroughly mixed
through it. 1t will be delight to see the
little occupants scratching and working
this over, while they grow apace. I'm
less they can run out upon the ground
they must be kept scratching in the
broOder. Any other course will produce
sure failure, as the writer knows from
experience.
Another source of trouble is that of
temperature. Little chicks must have
plenty of warmth. If they once get
chilled it is doubtful if they ever fully re-
cover from it. Ninety degrees is about
II
bered that chicks as they grow have less
and less protection until their feathers ap-
pear. The brooders must be kept clean.
Plenty of dry chaff and road dust will as
sist in this direction. Everything should
be cleaned out once day, and fresh ma
terial put in its place. ? Exercise,
warmth, cleanliness. together with plenty
OF easily digested, nitrOgenous food, and
and water so arranged that the floor can
not become wet, will cause chicks TO
make very respectable showing, while
If they can run cut upon the ground they
will grow rapidly and escape many Of the
disasters that befall those reared by hens.
American Agriculturist-
Co-oPERATIvB BUTTER MAKING.
The Danish butter makers, says an
English paper, are gradually driving all
their competitors from the English mar
kets. The rapid development OF the but
ter trade in Denmark. is due in great
measure to the fact that the farmers have
adopted the cooperative system OF pro-
duction. By working collectively they
are able to turn out butter OF better
quality and at less cost than would be
posi- ple ii they worked separately.
The full responsibility tor the working
OF the dairy rests on the Executive Com
mittee, which consists of Chairman, a
Treasurer, a Secretary, an Auditor and
an indefinite number OF directors. They
are elected at the annual meeting Of the
society, the members of which have as
many votes as they have COWS. The Ex-
ecutive Committee must visit the dairy
constantly, keep the manager up TO his
work, test the quality and quantity of
the butter and see that it is made accord
ing to the most economical meth cd. They
must also be on the alert to keep down
the working expenses OF the dairy. to
discover the best and cheapest kind of
fodder. and to find out new markets Tor
their produce. They receive no salaries,
l,,,t . re maid their eXpenses WHOM ON