Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-21
Daily kennebec 3ournau
City and County.
POULTRY sULLsr,w.
Issued BY Secretary McKeen Of Board Of Aorl
culture.


Board Bulletin No. 10, Monday. This is
called the Poultry Number" as the
questions asked of his correspondents
were almost wholly in the line of poultry
culture and stock feeding
The pamphlet contains 16 pages and has
the letters received from the correspond-
ents. which contain many valuable sug-
gestions.
Mr. McEcen in his Introductory re-
marks says
IN this number of the Bulletin we have
departed somewhat from the usual form.
IN tnat we have put no questions on con-
uItioii oi crops, our crop report being
practically completed in the November
number We have asked our correspond-
ents views on the poultry question, be-
cause we deem it of sufficient importance
70 warrant careful consideration at the
nands of our farmers, either as a branch
to the usual work of the farm or as a
speciality.
1T is fact that the demands for eggs
ana poultry reach immense proportions
1t being impossible at this time in the
larger cities of the State to buy State of
Name eggs. the market depending entire
~ on those imported from New York and
the West.
I'VE present few comparisons drawn
from the report of the secretary of agri-
culture at Washington. showing the i'm
mense demand at home and abroad for
poultry products, and the large amount
which the business aggregates to the
farmers of the country.
England imports for annual consump-
ton $4S.0OO,OOO worth of eggs. New York
city and state alone consume $4S 600, goo
worth of eggs and poultry every year.
The United States yearly consumes $780,
100000 of eggs and poultry. Canada ex-
ports S3o,OoO,ooO worth of eggs annually.
The poultry products of this country ag-
gregate more in year than any single
crop. Of all the country's industries the
poultry industry is most generally pur-
sued. In 1896 the poultry earnings of the
United States amounted to 1920. 00O. 900. be-
ing greater value by So, 900, 900 than our
entire wheat crop. s105, 600. 900 greater than
our swine brought us, $50. 600 900 more than
our cotton crop, more than three times as
great as all the interest paid on mort
cages during the year, and $112 OOO. 900
more than we spend for schools
I'VE also present what We believe to be
valuable hints on stock feeding and we
think our readers will find the suggestions
and rules given by our correspondents
thank our correspondents for the pains
they have taken in replying to these
questions
OF course the opinions of the different
men differ in many respects. but all seem
to agree that the poultry industry is a
valuable addition to the farm. The gen.
eral opinion seems to be that the Ply
mouth Rock hen is the best breed for
poultry and eggs combined, while the
Brown Leghorn is the favorite for the
laying qualities.
| Mr.. McKeen also adds the summary of
the government crop report for Novem-
| Der. which is given below:
| The November report of the statistician
| of the department of agriculture gives
| 23.1 bushels the average yield per acre
| of corn. according to the preliminary re-
| turns of the department. correspondents.
The corresponding preliminary estimate
| last year was 27.3 bushels, and that of 1895.
262 bushels.
The average yield in the principal corn
states is: New York 32.5: Pennsylvania,
800; Ohio 325: Indiana. $50; Illinois, 3D.:
| Iowa 800; Missouri. go; Kansas, 1870;
| Nebraska, 900.
| The average per cent. of quality is S6.3
as compared with ss.4 in 1896. and 92.3 in
| 1895.
| The preliminary estimate of the average
| yield of buckwheat is POI bushels per
| acre as compared with 1871 bushels last
year and pol in 1895 The average in New
York and PENNSYLVANIA. the two states of
principal production. are % and q bushels
| per acre respectively. The average per
cent. of quality is 94.3, as compared with
| 947 in November of last year.
| The estimated average yield per acre OF
Irish potatoes is 64.6 bushels as compared
with Sc s last year. and 1907 in November.
| 1895 The average per cent. of quality is
/ 81 8 against 49, in November last and 9iS
| in November 1895.
The average yield of hay is 142 tons pei
acre against an average of III tons per
| acre for the last Is years. In point of
quality the average is 92.S per cent as
compared with 92.9 per cent. in November
| 1896 and 9l.3 per cent. in lS'o.
| Favorable conditions for the sowing of
| the fall crops are reported from most
parts of Europe and the condition of the
| crops so far as sown. is likewise favor
able. The opinion is freely expressed that
an increased area has been soWn in wheat
| hut this appears to be more as matter
| of inference from the natural tendency
of high prices to produce such an erect
| than as an observed fact.
The crop reports from INDIA continue
! favorable and on the whole this is true
as to those from Argentina and Austria
lasia. but from all the countries the mar
| vest is too remote to permit any very con-
| 6dent predictions as to the final outcome.
| There is nothing to indicate that tn
wheat shortage is Europe is any less than
| has been supposed.
Rev. Charles F. Allen, ID. D.. one OF
| 5000. ,1-;1o1y known Met hOdiSt