Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-01-11
BOARD suIlsT,N FOR oeceMssR.
POULTRY NUMBER

| POULTRY NJMBkR.
In this number OF the Bulletin we have
departed somewhat from the usual form,
in that We have put 10 no questions on
condition OF crops, our crop report be-
ing practically completed In the Novem-
Der number. We have asked our cor
respondents views on the poultry ques-
ton, because We deem IL Of sufficient i'm
portsace To warrant careful considera-
ton at the hands OF our farmers, either
as a branch tn the usual work Of the
farm or as a speciality.
| Ii Is n fact that the demands for eggs
and poultry reach immense proportions,
il being impossible At this time In the
larger cities of the state 10 buy State OF
Maine eggs, the market depending en-
tirely on those imported from New York
and the West.
England imports for annual consump-
ton SIS. .0oo, ,000 worth Of eggs. New
York CITY and State alone consume
every year. The United States yearly
consumes $50, ,OO0, 600 OF eggs sud poul-
try. Canada exports $4,000, 900 worth
OF this country aggregate more In
year than any single crop. OF sli the
country's industries the poultry indus
t-y is most generally pursued. In ls96
the poultry earnings Of the United States
amounted 10 S290, ,Oo0, 200, being a greater
value by 81, 100000 than our entire
wheat crop, sl05, 100000 greater than
our swine brought Us, s30,eD,OoO more
than our cotton crop, more than three
times a. great ss all the interest paid on
mortgages during the year, and
Sll2 eco GOO more than we spend for
schools.
We also present what we believe TO be
valuable hints on stock feeding and we
think our readers will find the sugges-
tions and rules given by our correspond
ents very timely and helpful. We sin
cerely thank our correspondents for the
pains they have taken in replying to
these questions.
OXFORD COUNTY.
PORTER Il am aware that the poultry
business OF this state has obtained con-
siderable Importance for the last few
wears. aud should be more encouraged
In nv mind, aud from observation,
should say that the selection snd pur-
chase of good thoroughbred stock, ,'either
for poultry or eggs, is the first essential
20 success in the business. For produc-
ing eggs, think none better than the
Leghorns. and. .Minorcss. lftheir chicks
are hAtched early in spring, with good
care and plenty of properly mixed food,
the pullets should and will, lay BY the
first of December, and will continue 10
Law until.late In ,the.. spring or perhaps
early summer. For poultry, | should
prefer some of the larger breeds, such as
the Plymouth Rock or Brahmss. think
their meals should De frequently changed
from one kind.oflfood 10 another. They
should have plenty OF pure water 10
drink, snd be kept In warm, clean place
in winter. free from lice and all diseases
IL possible. In regard 10 the Incubator,
have had no experience whatever with
IL, so have nothing 10 say OF i,s merits
or demerits. Turkey raising | think, Il
Of importance, IL one Is so situated as TO
give them wide range, without their
being obnoxious 20 the whole neighbor-
hood. | never had any good luck With
geese or ducks, but some say they pay
we'll. think winter Is the best season
for the production of eggs, for they will
then briug higher price In market.
Early haiched chicks are preferable 10
late ones for any purpose.
A. II. MASON.
DIxFIELp Il tried the poultry busi-
ness on small scale some years ago, but
NV success Was not such that feel quail
a. .. =. t..t.. har M
found enough else 10 do which Was more
interesting and profitable. We succeed
best 10 those lines In which We are most
interested. have been In the habit OF
feeding cows cotton seed mesl and wheat
bran, one part of the former TO two OF
the latter, feeding strong cows three
quarts cotton seed meal TO six oi bran,
with one TO one and half bushels OF
we'll cared corn ensilsge and all the
meadow hay they will eat at night, With
damaged oit hay in the morning. do
not feed NJ noon. At present am feed
iug gluten meal instead of cotton seed,
about oue-third more by measure, with
good results. | believe cotton seed meal
st 81 10 be as economical as gluten ri
So, -ince il contains 1876 per cent more
protein. and more than t@ic- "a much
TAT, while its fvrtilikiug vslu, i much
greater, being l6l per cent nitrogen.
35 per cent phosphoTic acid, and -
per cent potassium oxide In excess OF
those elements in gluten. ! give the
fertiliIing constituents In our feeds
great deal of consideration 10 making
ration. This is not entirely scientific or
theoretical fQT have observed that crops
fertilized with eight loads OF dressing
from stock fed ss now feed produce a
good results a. formerly obtained from
the use Of twelve 10 sixteen losds, and
men who handle il observe the difference.
For several wears | have been unable 10
raise clover, consequently have To pur-
chase nv protein, and IL makes the net
income materially less. We are paying
TOO much for feed, but how 10 raise II
and Of the right kind, those containing
large quantities Of protein, Is the ques-
tion many Of Us would Ike to have
answered. U ri. NEWMAN
SourH PARIS The subject of stock
fe. ding is "a very important one, especial
ly With our dairy cows. III you have
herd OF good cows it will certainly
pay YOU TO feed them well the year
round, but especial care aud judicious
feeding are needed during these winter
mouths. Many farmers feed too liberal
ly on coarse fodder; even IL IL Is the best
Of hay, too much Of it will make the
COW dainty, and dainty COW Is poor
property for any farmer. AT present
NV cows are getting four pounds Of
English hay and twelve pounds Of en-
silsge night aud morning for the coarse
fodder, and one quart Of shorts, one
quart OF cotton seed, one quart of Buffalo
gluten. and one quart Of either corn meal
or ground oats for grain, twice day. l