The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1895-04-20
Farming and Hard Times
FEW HINTS HOW TO MAKE A LIVING
ON A FARM THESE HA RID TIMES.
For the ADVERTISER:

For the ADVERTISER:
(C0ntin1ed.)
POULTRY
The average farmer generally thinks
the hen of little consequence. yet the
profits to be derived from flock of 15C
hens amount to $50 dollars per year
Of this we are positive, as we haye kept
a strict account of the eggs and chickens
sold on our farm from this number OF
hens and we realized the above amount
in year. 1t is true we did net sell our
eggs for money but exchanged them for
groceries dry goods and other necessaries
two numerous to mention. This is a
very neat sum to receive from our in
dustry that requires very little labor. 1t
is true care must be taken to keep the
hen houses clean and free from all YER
MIN. Attention must be paid to shelter
the little chicks from rats and unclement
weather. Last year we raised 400 in the
spring. without an incubator or any other
expense, they were feed entirely on rice
and corn raised on the place, 1t may be
necessary in the North to feed poultry
on chopped meat, cut cabbage and num-
erous other kinds of bought food we read
about in the poultry books, but here in
Louisiana, give them breakfast of corn,
say 8 gallons to a hundred hens, and they,
with the help Of good range of native
grass, will scratch for the balance. Eggs
always command price in proportion
to the supply. In winter when they are
scarce and sell high, and in summer the
large increase in the amount gathered
compensates in great measure for the
reduction in the price A farmers wife
with enterprise and a taste for poultry
raising can with the proceeds derived
from the sale of her eggs, procure her
household necessaries, dress her self and
children and aboye all other blessings,
belp her husband to keep out of debt.
A valrable addition to the poultry yard
is flock of guineas. They are destruc-
ton on all kinds of insects; very prolific
layers and do no damage to growing
crops. The great objection people gen.
orally make to guineas is their noise,
which is incessent. In the winter they
will collect around the house and Go
Cratch" from morning until night Even
after bed time. if a strange dog or any,
other unusual object enters the yard their
shrill cry of warning will be heard above
all other sounds. They are superior to
| all other fowls as layers. commencing to
| lay in April and continuing on until
frost, that is if not allowed to set. They
are very cunning in hicding their nests,
but the trouble Of hunting is generally
regarded by large find Of eggs. Guineas
malt in December; this is the reason we
suppose they do not lay in winter. They
are healthy and not subject to the var
ious diseases that attack chickens; they
eat very little corn. their principal food
is grass, seeds and insects. Their flesh
is very palatable although Of dark
coloor. Many compare the taste to that
Of the pleasant. Let us say a word in
favor Of our native Creole hen. We Of
ten hear other breeds defense of this en-
tesprisiny; industrious bird They are
the most healthy chickens we have ever
tried to raise, lay more eggs, eat less
food and are of more profits in every
way than any other brood we have yet
tried, and our experience teaches US that
the creole chicken is especially adapted
to the climate and soil Of Louisiana.
OUR HOMES.
It is strange to see how little attention
is paid to identifying of country homes.
If we cannot afford paint letus use white
wash, and fill our yards with plenty of
shade trees. A house always looks pref
tier surrounded with green trees. The
little birds will make their nests there
and sing us sweet music all day. Plant
flowers in the front yard, cover the gal
leTleS Will Viu6S. ADOVe Ill let US Try 10
make the occupants of our homes happy.
Here, after all lies the greatestscharm,
and not in the things we can purchase
with money. A thankful, loving heart
makes work light, and kind face is the
prettiest picture we can adorn our homes
with. These are little things that cost
nothing and there is no home in the
land, so humble, but will be graced by
their possession. Let us take heart and
stop complaining Of hard times. Let us
live within our means 50 as to make our
expenses correspond with our income.
Above all other considerations we must
keep out of debt. A rag carpet on our
floor is preferable to Brussels unpaid
for. A calico dress is nothing to be
ashamed Of, nor is it dishonor to be
unable to buy finer one. The outside
world does rot help us nor listen to our
needs. Therefore let us mol trouble our
selves about what people may think or
Al.