The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-03


countries as Italians. There seems to be
good ground for the statement that Leghorns
were first introduced into America from
Italy. The story goes that as early as
1884 vessel from Leghorn, Italy, brought
to this country as part of its cargo small
shipment of fowls, which were at once named
Leghorns" They Immediately become
popular, their prolific laying and nonsitting
qualities being recognized at this early date.
White and Brown Leghorns were the first
varieties known Modern breeders are re-
sponsible for some of the subvarieties of the
breed, and, in point Of color at least, exhibi-
ton birds of to-day, even of the older Varie-
ties, vary considerably from those seen at the
present time in Italy.
The Leghorn fowl holds the same place
among poultry that the Jersey holds among
cattle. The question of profit in poultry has
been decided in favor of egg-producng breeds.
They are lively, active, and of restless dis
position, the best of foragers, and will pick
up good part of their living during the
year. Leghorns are light eaters and the cost
Of raising them to maturity is about one
half that Of the Asiatic varieties. They
mature early, feather quickly, the pullets
often begin laying when four months old,
and cockerels crow at the same age. They
are the best layers, averaging between 15O
and 200 eggs per year. Their eggs are pure
white in color, and weigh about 10 to the
pound. As table fowls they are fairly good.
By many they are considered excellent. The
only thing that can be said against them is
that they are small in size. Altogether,
they are one Of the most profitable breeds OF
poultry that can be kept upon the farm, and
the cheapness of their keeping will allow the
raising of two Leghorns for the cost of one
Asiatic. They must be warmly housed in
Winter to lay well and to protect their
pendulous wattles from rostbite.-Farmers'
Bulletin No 81, q. s. Department of Agri-
culture.
Mixed Rations.
Very much depends upon the kind of food
given to chickens, how prepared and when
given. Of course, the principal food must
be the different grains. Corn alone will not
make good chicken; it is most valuable
for its fattening and warming qualities.
Wheat contains the material for bone
feathers, etc. oats for muscle. So we feed
corn two parts, wheat one part, oats one part
and we have fast-growing chicken. Feed
either of these grains alone and we have all
kinds of Observation-Disclosures, sore
eyed, no feathers and every conceivable de-
formity. Add to these grains quantity o.
meat to take the place of insects, which
form part of their natural food. SEQ thai
they have plenty of sand or gravel. They
have no teeth, and must have this gravel tt
grind the food in the gizzard. Give oyster
OF clam shells, ground or pounded as fine a!
wheat. Keep by them also powdered char
coal; it prevents the digestive organs from
becoming clogged with soured food, if they
have eaten too much.
Cheapness of Eggs.
The nutritiye value of eggs and the cheap
ness Of their production is scarcely realized
| by the public. 1t may seem rather improb
! able to state that when meat is % cents
| pound the food value of eggs is about 81
cents dozen, yet this seems to be the fact
A hen may be calculated to consume on
bushel of corn yearly, and to lay II dozen
or 18 pounds, of eggs. This is equivalent t.
saying that three and one-half pounds Q
corn will produce, when fed to this hen, on
pound of eggs. A pound of pork, on tn
contrary, requires about 81 pounds of cor
for its production. When eggs are "a cent
a dozen and pork is 10 cents pound we hay
the bushel Of corn fed producing $3.50 wort
of eggs, and but $1.O5 worth of pork. jude
ing from these facts, eggs must be economi
cal in their production and in their eating
and especially fitted for tho laboring ma
in replacing meat.
| Pin Feathers.
Don't fail to top off the birds you sell o
the market with corn; it gives them
plumpness that nothing else will.
Some kind of fine material should be pu
on the floor of the coop. Hay or straw
not good, because the chicks are likely to b
come entangled in it. Sawdust should NJ
be used. It is settled question that th
chicks will eat it, and sometimes with fats
results. Chaff from the barn floor, or DIR
sand, where one can get it, is best.